Trends New Zealand Volume 34 No 2 | Page 62

Together with the architectural redesign of a space , the choice of feature surface can have a defining impact on a renovation .
This serene bathroom is in a seaside home located just metres from the beach . The existing bathroom had a shower over a cast iron tub and needed renovation , says owner and architect Wayne Houston .
“ For the renovation , we wanted a bath positioned with a view to the bush and a nearby stream as well as a separate levelentry shower with a niche recess .”
To achieve these goals , Houston pushed out the footprint of the existing room and introduced floor-to-ceiling louvres on one wall in the newly gained triangular space . These offer privacy or private views as required and capture the late afternoon sun .
“ When choosing tiles for the bathroom , we wanted something that linked to the beach house ambience and these wave tiles were the perfect fit ,” says Houston . “ The soft , sandy colours and wave texture evoke the beach and sea environment , as do the floor tiles in a similar tone .”
As well as connecting with the setting , the bathroom achieves a sculptural appeal , in part through the architect ’ s choice of freestanding tub and freestanding basin .
“ The stone bath and stand-alone basin are beautiful shapes in their own right and their flat finishes match the smooth stool .”
The wall-hung vanity cabinet provides storage without taking up floor space . At the same time , the extension allowed room to accommodate the tub – making space for the walk-in showerstall behind .
Recessed LED strip lights provide the general lighting for the transformed space . search | save | share at