Carina ClaassensNeed ideas for small bathrooms? Try a romantic look in a compact space and turn your bathroom into a relaxing sanctuary
A chandelier from The Gatehouse, lanterns from Biggie Best and a stool made by Ashok Narsai Interiors covered in a Mavromac fabric gives the bathroom its romantic atmosphere.
A shallow basket placed on the stool is ideal for keeping bath essentials neat and tidy and close at hand.
When interior designer Tanja Beyers, of Profurn Contracts, and her husband Bruce decided to renovate the cramped, tired bathroom in their Jo’burg home, they didn’t want to go to the expense of extending the footprint of the house.
Tanja chose Travertine tiles from Samano Ceramics for the floor and the walls of the glass-enclosed shower. “I love the feel of natural travertine as each tile is slightly different and not quite perfect.”
The solution was to build a 2,5m-high wall off the bathroom to create a plant-filled courtyard with an outdoor shower. As this provides privacy, they could then install French doors and tall windows. “The extra light and being able to open the doors and walk outside has made the bathroom feel so much bigger,” says Tanja.
His and hers vanities from Cottonwood Trading Company were combined with mirrors made from raw wood frames she had paint finished and fitted with mirror.
“I loved the idea of floating while looking into the trees so I placed the bath with an elegant freestanding mixer in the centre of the room,” she explains. Matching his and hers vanities were positioned on either side of the opening to the bedroom. “These are a win – no more fighting for the basin. We also indulged in underfloor heating which makes the bathroom even more comfortable and luxurious.”
“The outdoor shower is wonderful in summer and makes the bathroom feel so much larger,” says Tanja.
Tanja believes that lighting makes a room. “The light fittings are on different circuits with dimmers so that we can adjust them to suit the mood,” she explains.
