No, not a scene from a Harry Potter tale, but
this bathroom by architect Matthew Day does
indeed take on the magic of a secret chamber.
“The bathroom was conceived as a vault or
secret chamber – the room has no windows and
is only accessed via the upstairs bedrooms,”
says Day. “Natural light comes in from curved
skylights in the vaulted ceiling, which further
enhances the sense of being in a hidden vault.
“For the wider aesthetic, the owners wanted
a strong element of artisanal craftsmanship as
opposed to a sterile, machined look. This led to
the idea of a feature wall of handmade tiles.”
The tiles were inspired by eucalyptus trees in
the area and were created by the owner, working
with Bruce Rowe from Anchor Ceramics.
Handcrafted walnut joinery was introduced
to soften the space and provide something
warm to the touch. Plus, the wood’s deep red-
brown colour complements the tilework.
“The curving lines of the tub connect with
the curvaceous ceiling, while the floor-mounted
bath spout accentuates the action of the water
flowing into the bath – which, in turn, bounces
reflections off the mosaic tiles. The movement of
water is another natural feature in the design.”
Facing page: A handmade walnut
trestle becomes a casual vanity unit
matched with a wall cabinet and
standing towel rack in the same
red-brown wood species in this
bathroom by Day Bukh Architects.
Above: Lying in the freestanding
tub watching clouds pass overhead
provides a relaxing escape for the
owners in the windowless and, to an
extent, hidden bathing space.
search | save | share at