Designed by: Melanie Sa'u, Melanie Sa'u Design Studio
Photography by: John Williams
Designed by Melanie Sa’u Design Studio
From the designer:
|Inspired by boutique hotels, this family bathroom was designed to feel elevated, personal, and highly functional.
As a hardworking space in the home, it needed to balance everyday practicality, including a concealed laundry, with refined materiality and timeless detail.
The design is grounded in quiet luxury, achieved through a thoughtful layering of finishes and tactile contrasts.
The dark timber vanity in Melteca Boarders Oak anchors the room and echoes cabinetry throughout the home.
Its soft woodgrain contrasts with a soft travertine-look vanity top and round basin, offering a sense of calm and balance.
Warm Tuscan bronze tapware introduces a gentle, aged warmth to the palette.
White subway tiles wrap the walls in a clean, linear rhythm, while deep green tiles add framing and visual depth.
Their subtly undulating surface catches the light, softening the cooler tones of the tile and marble-look flooring.
Together, they form a palette that is both classic and contemporary.
A fluted freestanding bath sits proudly beneath the heritage window and is paired with a bronze freestanding mixer.
Its sculptural form and vertical detailing echo the repetition in the tile layout, creating a focal point that feels serene and grounded.
The laundry is concealed behind a set of original heritage-profile doors, seamlessly integrating into the layout.
This solution maintains the architectural language of the home while delivering practical storage and functionality.
The design allows for the laundry to be completely hidden when not in use, preserving the overall flow and cohesion of the space.
In the shower, mitred corners and custom niches speak to the level of detail carried throughout the room.
The niches offer practical storage while reinforcing the bespoke character of the build.
Reeded glass is used for the shower screen to introduce texture and privacy – diffusing light and creating a gentle separation within the space.
Each element, from tapware to tile junctions, was carefully considered and executed to enhance both function and experience.
In a compact footprint, this bathroom delivers a calm, intentional environment, balancing everyday needs with a sense of crafted refinement.
The result is a composed retreat, where practical elements are elevated through design.
Credit List
DesignerMelanie Sa'u, Melanie Sa'u Design Studio | Vanity cabinetrySt Michel Ivy 50 |
Cabinetry hardwareHettich Atira | BenchtopSt Michel Cherry Pie Solid Surface, Grey Travertine |
BasinSt Michel Respect | Taps/shower fittingsPlumbline Buddy |
BathNewtech Willow, freestanding | Shower stallInnovative Glass |
ToiletZen back-to-wall by Plumbline | AccessoriesPlumbline Buddy |
FlooringMarmi Bianco Carrara – The Tile Room; Black and Carrara Basketweave – Tile Space | Wall tilesRivers White and Rivers Green – The Tile Room |
PaintResene Black White | LightingLight Co - Delie Wall Lights – Light Co; Mr Ted Opal Pendant – Mr Ralph |
AwardsTrends International Design Awards (TIDA) Bathrooms – Highly Commended |
Designed by Melanie Sa’u Design Studio
From the designer:
|Inspired by boutique hotels, this family bathroom was designed to feel elevated, personal, and highly functional.
As a hardworking space in the home, it needed to balance everyday practicality, including a concealed laundry, with refined materiality and timeless detail.
The design is grounded in quiet luxury, achieved through a thoughtful layering of finishes and tactile contrasts.
The dark timber vanity in Melteca Boarders Oak anchors the room and echoes cabinetry throughout the home.
Its soft woodgrain contrasts with a soft travertine-look vanity top and round basin, offering a sense of calm and balance.
Warm Tuscan bronze tapware introduces a gentle, aged warmth to the palette.
White subway tiles wrap the walls in a clean, linear rhythm, while deep green tiles add framing and visual depth.
Their subtly undulating surface catches the light, softening the cooler tones of the tile and marble-look flooring.
Together, they form a palette that is both classic and contemporary.
A fluted freestanding bath sits proudly beneath the heritage window and is paired with a bronze freestanding mixer.
Its sculptural form and vertical detailing echo the repetition in the tile layout, creating a focal point that feels serene and grounded.
The laundry is concealed behind a set of original heritage-profile doors, seamlessly integrating into the layout.
This solution maintains the architectural language of the home while delivering practical storage and functionality.
The design allows for the laundry to be completely hidden when not in use, preserving the overall flow and cohesion of the space.
In the shower, mitred corners and custom niches speak to the level of detail carried throughout the room.
The niches offer practical storage while reinforcing the bespoke character of the build.
Reeded glass is used for the shower screen to introduce texture and privacy – diffusing light and creating a gentle separation within the space.
Each element, from tapware to tile junctions, was carefully considered and executed to enhance both function and experience.
In a compact footprint, this bathroom delivers a calm, intentional environment, balancing everyday needs with a sense of crafted refinement.
The result is a composed retreat, where practical elements are elevated through design.
Credit List
DesignerMelanie Sa'u, Melanie Sa'u Design Studio | Vanity cabinetrySt Michel Ivy 50 |
Cabinetry hardwareHettich Atira | BenchtopSt Michel Cherry Pie Solid Surface, Grey Travertine |
BasinSt Michel Respect | Taps/shower fittingsPlumbline Buddy |
BathNewtech Willow, freestanding | Shower stallInnovative Glass |
ToiletZen back-to-wall by Plumbline | AccessoriesPlumbline Buddy |
FlooringMarmi Bianco Carrara – The Tile Room; Black and Carrara Basketweave – Tile Space | Wall tilesRivers White and Rivers Green – The Tile Room |
PaintResene Black White | LightingLight Co - Delie Wall Lights – Light Co; Mr Ted Opal Pendant – Mr Ralph |
AwardsTrends International Design Awards (TIDA) Bathrooms – Highly Commended |
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