seeing double

From Habitat magazine - issue 24

These bathrooms are the same... but different.

In the interests of a cohesive look, many homeowners with two bathrooms give them identical finishes and fittings. That isn't a bad approach, but homeowner Mandy Wilson and Belinda Ellis of Fraser Cameron Architects came up with a creative twist on that decorative strategy, for a new Taupo bach.

They chose to give these two bathrooms a similar look but with subtle differences. Both have the same basins and similar custom-designed plywood cabinetry finished in Resene Qristal Clear Polyurethane (flat). Both have the same concrete-look floor tiles, and both have walls painted in Resene Concrete, with trims in Resene Alabaster.

But look closer and you'll see that the tiled splashback is different – one is a sleek white tile with black grout, while the other is a marble hexagonal. The taps are the same profile, but are chrome in one room, black in the other. Both bathrooms have hidden nightsensor lights beneath the cabinets, while the simple bulb pendants are black in one room, and white in the other.

Introducing different elements to these bathrooms supported the overall philosophy for the home, which was to make it feel as if it had come together more organically, over time, as a traditional bach would do. This slight mismatching of decorative elements, and layering of materials, can be seen throughout the house – see more.

Both bathrooms are quite small, so they used clean lines, a simple colour palette and shapes, and kept the fittings and cabinets up off the floor. Mirrors also visually enhance the space.

Belinda designed the plywood cabinets, which have a retro bach vibe, but also look elegant. Cabinetry was supplied by Allan Crompton of Cromptons Joinery Taupo; included is a finger pull detail with a copper ring – just one more example of the absolute attention to detail paid to these delightful bathrooms.

Did you know? that the Resene Kitchen & Bathroom range combines anti-bacterial silver protection and MoulDefender to minimise unwanted nasties in kitchens, bathrooms and laundries?

pictures: Sue Bunch

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