In the zones

Creating a series of focal points proved a winning formula for this Federation home in Sydney.

Muted tones and natural textures were key to creating the luxurious feel the owners wanted for the family bathroom in their Federation home on Sydney’s Lower North Shore. “At 3.6x2.4 metres, it was quite a large room, but it had zero character and didn’t make the best use of space,” says interior architect Sally Rhys-Jones.

Handmade Moroccan zellige wall tiles and limestone flooring provided the starting points for the new design, paired with fresh white to keep the space feeling bright and open.

Increasing the size of the surprisingly tiny shower was high on the to-do list. Sally’s solution was to design a walk-in space with a decorative archway that takes its cues from period detailing elsewhere in the house. “This shower enclosure feels lovely and private, references the home’s heritage, and creates a beautiful focal point in the room,” she says. The walls of the enclosure are lined with those zellige tiles, and there’s a limestone-clad bench seat at one end, delivering a textural and pattern contrast, as well as extra accessibility.

A freestanding bath is positioned under a generous double-hung window with views to the garden. “I’ll always place the bath under a window if possible and the vanity where its length can be maximised,” says Sally. “In this instance, we also considered the mirror location to reflect that beautiful archway.”

Rhys/Jones Interior Architecture; www.sallyrhysjones.com.