With Nicola Orpen & Hayley Turner, Bone Design Studio
Bathroom design is one of the most challenging areas in the home as there are many material relationships and junction detailing in quite a small space. The balance of material selection, glazing detailing, joinery, and sanware selection need to create a cohesive feel without fighting each other. A perfect bathroom achieves this synergy in the detailing, but also has a feature piece or a point of focus within the space; sandstone carved custom bath, statement vanity, or a cladded WC area.
Dateless finishes
Colour choice is crucial in achieving the perfect mood. When designing a jewel box bathroom, the drama is created through deep tones, such as walnut timbers, graphic marbles, and darker shades of paint. When trying to create a more classic space, our favourites are ivory tones with oak timbers, Arabescato marble, and brass sanware fittings to achieve a dateless finish.


A little fun with light
The best lighting design in the bathroom needs a combination of overhead downlighting and side mirror lighting for daily tasks like applying makeup or shaving. The fitting selection, however, is where we like to have some fun and enhance the bathroom concept. We love brass fixtures with reeded glass for an eclectic feel, while back-lit LED lighting on the mirrors makes for a more contemporary aesthetic. A feature pendant in a guest bathroom is also an impactful design choice.
Sophisticated sanware
We love the Australian sanware brand Meir, as it uses electroplating for longevity and comes in an array of finishes – brass, black, champagne – which work well with any colour scheme and concept. For vanities and mirrors we always custom design these to fit the space. Integrated marbled tops give an air of sophistication, while marine plywood carcasses are a must for practicality. With timber drawer fronts on soft close runners, this touch point becomes a luxurious experience.
What’s in for us this season? Curved showers are a trend we’re happy to see is still around. Small stacked format wall tiles with larger natural stone floor tiles create a classy complement. Graphic wallpapers for powder rooms also add an elegantly vibrant atmosphere. Finally, tinted shower glazing such as smoke glass is becoming a popular feature in excellent bathroom design for 2024.

