Tropical rain

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Natural materials, plants and a connection to the outdoors give this bathroom a fresh, equatorial ambience

Maria Arango of Ong & Ong worked with bathroom, countertop, floor, home, interior design, room, white — Maria Arango of Ong & Ong worked with fellow designer Diego Molina to create this bathroom. The master bathroom features and outdoor and indoor shower, lava stone walls, granite flooring and extensive use of natural materials.

Maria Arango of Ong & Ong worked with ceiling, floor, glass, home, interior design, plaster, room, wall, gray

View of shower with rain-head shower fitting, wall architecture, bathroom, ceiling, daylighting, floor, home, house, interior design, room, tile, wall, gray

Maria Arango of Ong & Ong worked with bathroom, ceiling, daylighting, floor, home, interior design, room, wall, gray

Maria Arango of Ong & Ong worked with bathroom, floor, glass, interior design, plumbing fixture, room, orange

With a soft breeze and the sensation of freedom that comes from an outdoor shower, there is little that can be more refreshing, especially on a hot day.

For the sake of privacy, this indulgent experience has been recreated inside this master bathroom, which features an outdoor shower room. The main bathroom space is designed to feel at one with the outdoor area, says designer Maria Arango of Ong&Ong, who worked alongside fellow designer Diego Molina.

"A tropical feeling is created by lava stone walls. Small slots between the inside shower and the outside planter box allow ventilation. Plants can also reach through, connecting the two spaces," says Arango.

The planter box outside collects rain water, which runs off the glass and timber louvred roof above the shower. Because the Singapore area where this house is located can experience heavy rain, the designer decided not to leave the outdoor shower completely open to the elements.

Natural materials further the tropical aesthetic, says the designer.

"The bench seat next to the planter box is made from a solid piece of timber with a dark, waterproof stain. A stone-filled gutter prevents flooding. Pebbles are also used elsewhere in the house, such as in the water feature in the living room and a gutter around the pool."

The Solid Surface vanity was custom made with dark wood cabinets that match the bench seat. The frame on the mirror was also custom designed and created by a carpenter, who chiselled a Balinese-style pattern into the wood.