bathroom special HG
AUSTRALIAN HOUSE &GARDEN| 189
PRIORITISE YOUR PREFERENCES
You could argue that an ensuite is the most
personal spacein the house, says Aaron Wong,
principal designer for Alexander Pollock Interiors
inMelbourne. “Everyone has their quirks when
it comes to cleanliness and organisation, so I use
these as a starting point,” he says. “What
constitutes a ‘must-have’ will vary: a couple might
insist on two vanities, for example.” The same
level of personalisation doesn’t apply to a main
bathroom, which needs to cater more broadly to
the whole household (and often guests, too).LOOK TO LUXURY
“Focus on luxury and creating a sense of sanctuary
as a key design driver,” advises Shaun Lockyer,
principal of Shaun Lockyer Architects in Brisbane.
“A family bathroom might not need to encompass
luxury in the same way. Ideally, an ensuite should
feel resort-like, so its users feel a sense of ‘escape’
ona daily basis.” Because the ensuite is sometimes
the only room that isn’t shared by the family,
it deserves special treatment, says Vanessa
Cook, design manager at Smarter Bathrooms+.
“Homeowners arealmost always willing to spend
more to make this space exceptional.”SEEK A CENTREPIECE
Whether it’s open to the main bedroom or not, an
ensuite benefits from having a striking visual
focal point, says Vanessa. “It could be full-height
tiling, a double vanity, special-finish tapware or
aspectacular statement light.”SAY BYE TO THE BATH?
In many ensuites, space is an issue. That means
weighing up what you can and can’t include, says
Vanessa. “In some cases I advise clients to do
without a bath, because there’s generally one in
the main bathroom.” That space is better used
for a generous shower area, says Franco Parisi,
chief operating officer for Parisi. “Whether it’s a
showerpipe incorporating an overhead shower
and a hand shower or a separate ceiling shower
andrail shower, these combinations will give a
couple the best of both worlds.”DO A DOUBLE TAKE
A double vanity is a lovely inclusion in an ensuite
but it’s not strictly necessary, says Vanessa.“Sometimes it’s more efficient to have one basin
and more bench space, so two users can get ready
comfortably. Thekey thing is to have powerpoints
at each end of the vanity so cords from hairdryers
andthe like don’t become tangled.”GET SMART ABOUT SPACE
Not everyone has room for a generous ensuite,
but you can do a lot within a little footprint with
the right design approach. It’s a matter of seeking
outfloating vanities, utilising wall space by
building in niches and recessed cabinetry, and
ensuring everything is kept to scale. “‘Dead
spaces’, such as above a toilet, can be great spots
for extra shelves,” says Franco. “Robe hooks for
the back of the door and ladder towel rails are
great in ensuites and remember that including
large mirrors helps make a room feel bigger.” A
wall-hung pan with concealed cistern will also
project about 17 0mm less into your bathroom.LOOK TO THE LIGHT
Natural light isn’t abundant in every ensuite, but
it is crucial that every ensuite has good lighting.
“A skylight can be an asset to an ensuite,” says
Franco. “Good downlights and LED strip lights
under shelves can also help. Backlit mirrors with
anti-fog functionality are popular, too.” Focus
first on great vanity lighting on or next to your
mirrors, adds Shaun. “They should provide even,
warm light for shaving and make-up. Bathrooms
needto be light-filled, well-ventilated spaces;
they shouldn’t feel like service areas.”CONSIDER THE NOISE FACTOR
It’s important to consider noise when you’re
planning an ensuite, says Franco. “It’s good for
the main water and plumbing lines to run along
the outside wall of the house or hallway, where
possible. Select good-quality tapware that
incorporates features to prevent noise transfer
and water hammer.” And never have a toilet suite
backing onto the wall where your bed is positioned.FUNCTION MEETS FUN
An ensuite is one of those spaces in your home
where you can take a slightly more adventurous
design approach. “Think outside the box,
challenge your own preconceptions and, above
all, have a little fun with it,” adds Shaun. #Styling by Lisa Quinn-Schofield. Photograph and artwork by Jody D’Arcy.