Contemporary cool
#1 So fresh!
A freestanding bath positioned against the glass screen of a double shower is the epitome of cool in this luxurious bathroom. The bath is a modern interpretation of the popular freestanding bath – it might not have feet, but it does put its best foot forward! Renovated several years ago, the bathroom is still on trend with its crisp white finishes combined with earthy textures such as the non-slip ceramic tiles and wooden side tables. Heated towel rails and separate shower heads finish the look.
#2 Vibrant Victorian
Behind the Victorian façade of this family home in the vibrant suburb of Observatory in Cape Town lies a modern, industrial space where bold colours set the tone. For the bathroom, however, the family opted for soft grey walls and white skirtings with lively Moroccan floor tiles to echo the bold look and feel in the rest of the house.
This spacious bathroom has retained its original layout, chandelier and regular plastic tub while the large steel-framed window is a new addition. A reed screen offers some privacy, a clever solution that also works well if you’d like to conceal a view of an ugly pre-cast wall.
#3 Retro magic
Martina Klopper and Ian Goodes are avid renovators and they’ve transformed a dated home in Boston, Cape Town into a stunning retro-contemporary space. The project took about three months and structural alterations included demolishing a wall between the upstairs shower and bathroom to create a bigger space. All the dated fittings were gutted. The light pink walls set the tone for this bathroom and provide a soft contrast to the geometric black-and-white floor tiles.
#4 Wood and tiles
After demolishing just about every wall in their Pretoria home to improve the flow of the space, Trisch Barnard and her husband Robert turned their attention to the finishes. Since wood is a theme throughout the house, it was repeated in the bathrooms.
“The wood complements the metro tiles in both our en-suite and family bathroom ( page 20), a contemporary finish that contrasts well with the respective retro cement tiles and encaustic tiles on the floor,” says Trisch, an interior architect. “The wood also adds warmth to the bathroom, while patterned tiles create a vibrant look.
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