Natural sanctuary
With a bathing zone that makes the most of leafy outlooks, and featuring
travertine walls and floors, this ensuite has the air of a private, calm oasis
Previous pages: Black beauty –
on this master ensuite by Lloyd
Hartley Architects, the sculptural
tub has the feel of being set apart
and surrounded by nature. The
bathtub tonally matches the custom
powdercoated fittings and fixtures
seen throughout the home.
Above: To the rear of the bathroom,
the shower and toilet areas are
fronted in textured glass doors to
bring privacy but also to admit light.
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When your days are full-on, a tranquil ensuite
provides the ultimate respite from the world.
Such was the requirement and outcome with
this restful bathroom design by Ben Lloyd and
Mike Hartley of Lloyd Hartley Architects who
undertook a full renovation of this 1960s home.
“By positioning the ensuite at the rear of the
home, we were able to take advantage of views
out onto a planted hillside,” says Lloyd. “Plus
this area of the property has a large Pohutukawa
tree that contributes to the views and creates
ever-changing light conditions in the ensuite.”
The master ensuite opens up to this verdant
environment with full height windows and a
skylight that spans over the shower stall. And
by lighting the Pohutukawa and the lower land-
scaping at night this effect is amplified.
The modest-sized ensuite has a linear layout
with the bathing zone at the outer end of the
space and the shower stall and toilet cubicle at
the other end. Operable vertical black louvres in
the bath area let the bather control privacy and
views. And privacy for the ground-floor space
is also addressed with roller blinds on tracks
that are discreetly recessed into the ceiling.
Black, sculptural, and standing apart, the