Photography: Prue Ruscoe/ Styling: Megan Morton
A burst water valve was the impetus for this luxe bathroom renovation in the ensuite of a home in Sydney’s Lower North Shore. Interior designer Anna Maria Stillone turned her family’s bad luck into a silver lining in the main ensuite she shares with her husband, Chris. The home, where they live with their two sons, Hugo, 16, and Jonathan, nine, had been renovated in 2012, but the bathroom palette was quite sparse. “I wanted a more luxurious ensuite that elevated the whole room and gave more presence in the home as a parents’ retreat,” says Anna Maria.
A half-wall was added to separate the vanity and the shower, but the layout remained the same. And, while it’s not a large space, Anna Maria managed to make every millimetre feel indulgent. When it came to essentials, she lists: “the feature marble, good lighting and a double vanity”. The Calacatta Viola stone on the vanity top and splashback is a true showstopper, which cascades down to meet floating Shaker-style joinery below.
From there, swathes of neutrals allow the marble to take centre stage. “I chose to work on a neutral palette for all the other elements, only differentiating the tile and detail through texture, finish, pattern and format,” says Anna Maria. Now, the couple’s ensuite stands out from the crowd. “It feels different and subtle, but also fun and creative,” she says.
Design tip
“Spend time thinking about the space,” advises Anna Maria. “The smallest change in proportion can make the biggest difference when dealing with a small space.” The interior designer adds that it’s also important to think about light – from natural light to feature lighting. Here, ‘Dimple’ sconces from Koda Lighting add a “soft and moody vibe” at night.
The extra details
“Don’t limit yourself to choosing one tile because you are concerned about mixing textures and formats,” says Anna Maria. Here, a mix of Di Lorenzo tiles, from bevelled glazed ‘Alchemist’ wall tiles to matte floor tiles laid in a herringbone pattern, work as the supporting cast for the Calacatta Viola marble from Gitani Stone. Brodware ‘City Que’ tapware in Chrome completes the look with joinery in Porter’s Paints Wood Smoke.
Source book
Interior design Stillone Design, stillonedesign.com.au
Builder Pioneer Projects, pioneerprojects.com.au
Joinery Fisher Fitouts, fisherfitouts.com.au
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