elegance in grey

When Wellington architect Clare Bush redesigned her own home, she ambitiously included three bathrooms. This ensuite was designed to capture wide city views and to cater for the very high 3.6m ceiling.

All of the bathrooms were deliberately kept simple because the high ceilings and the proportions of the house provide enough character by themselves. While none of the bathrooms are identical they all have some elements in common, such as the timber floors and brick-laid subway tiles.

That simple approach to each bathroom’s aesthetics included a clean yet interesting colour scheme of black, grey and white, punctuated with the warmth of oak vanities and matai timber floors.

Resene Raven walls create a dramatic backdrop for this elegant ensuite. The trims and ceiling are in Resene Double Alabaster.

For the ensuite, Clare chose Resene Raven for the walls; it’s a timeless grey with a twist of blue. “I like that while it's neutral, it's also just on the edge of being a colour." The ceiling and trim are painted in classic Resene Double Alabaster.

Clare introduced a series of circular or curved visual elements to soften the look of the ensuite, and counterbalance the long lines of the full-width wall-hung oak vanity.

The curvy free-standing porcelain Bette bath was found at Franklin’s and sits in front of the gracious old window. Clare searched for and found a Catalano basin at Plumbline: “the only basin I could find that echoed the shape of the bath.”

A strikingly large round mirror hangs above the vanity, and the light fitting is a globe shape. Even the Duravit toilet was chosen for its rounder profile.

Clare finished the renovation of the grand villa last year, and it subsequently won a top spot in the Master Builders House of the Year awards as National Supreme Renovation for building company Planit Construction.

And Clare’s advice for renovators? “Choose durable fittings, like porcelain, and not everything in a bathroom needs to be tiled!”

Designer: Clare Bush, clarebush.architects@gmail.com
Pictures: Nicola Edmonds

Want to get your own free copy of future issues of habitat magazine?

Printed copies of habitat highlights are available from late March 2024 at Resene ColorShops and resellers, while stocks last. You can view back issues of habitat magazine online.

• Specifiers:

  • Earn CPD points reading this magazine – If you're a specifier, earn ADNZ or NZRAB CPD points by reading habitat magazine. Once you've read an issue request your CPD points via the CPD portal for ADNZ (for NZ architectural designers) or NZRAB (for NZ architects).  Join our specifier and trade database...

If you have an idea, project or story that you think would suit habitat, we’d love to hear from you. Please drop us an email with your details and include photos if submitting a project.

Sign up for a DIY card and Save! Australia | New Zealand