Rustic elements combine with modern features in this villa family bathroom

Antique look tiles and a freestanding tub are balanced by a contemporary vanity and modern tapware and lighting in this renovated bathroom in a 1900s home

A nib wall separates the bathing zone from bathroom, bathroom sink, bathtub, ceramic, floor, interior design, plumbing fixture, product design, tap, tile, toilet seat, gray — A nib wall separates the bathing zone from heated tiled floor in the compact bathing space of this renovated villa bathroom. The freestanding tub would be a typical traditional inclusion, but here the crisp, modern lines of the bath work well with the contemporary upgrade.

Even from the door, the play between contemporary architecture, bathroom, bathroom accessory, daylighting, floor, home, house, interior design, plumbing fixture, room, sink, tap, window, white

Raised wall tiles are laid in an alternating bathroom, bathroom sink, bidet, ceramic, floor, flooring, interior design, plumbing fixture, product design, sink, tap, tile, wall, gray

Recessed handles and benchtop vessels that echo the bathroom, bathroom accessory, bathroom cabinet, bathroom sink, interior design, plumbing fixture, product design, room, sink, tap, gray

A strip drain ensures speedy drainage in the bathroom, ceramic, floor, flooring, interior design, plumbing fixture, product design, room, sink, tap, tile, wall, gray

Sometimes the quest for strong visual appeal in a bathroom can impede its functionality. However, bathroom specialists Design Haus struck a healthy balance between the two on this refit.

Part of a classic villa renovation, Design Haus wanted this family bathroom to capture the sense of the villa's origins plus achieve a modern accent.

The tile selection played a key part in this design. Two types of Flexible Architecture porcelain tiles were alternated to create a 3D pattern on the walls. And the soap niches in the bath and shower zone are in the same proportion as though a tile-shaped brick had been removed.

These tiles have a refined, modern feel but are contrasted by an antique-look, rust-edged Garage Sugar tile in the bathing zone along with a similar tile on the main floor.

Similarly, the bath has a classic feel at first glance, but the proportions are contemporary.

As a family bathroom, plenty of storage was a must. To maximise this, Design Haus added a roomy vanity in the same colour as the wall behind, downplaying its size. In addition, the elegant twin benchtop basins and sleek lighting above the recessed mirror cabinets lead the eye.