DESKTOP
MOBILE
Designed by: Lyndel Donaldson, Designstory Interiors
Photography by: Mark Burrough
A 1970’s townhouse with an original bathroom offered a rare and character-rich starting point, defined by its dramatic glass raked ceiling and enclosed garden courtyard.
While full of personality and potential, the room was awkwardly dominated by an oversized sunken spa bath and no longer functioned effectively for family life.
The brief called for a complete redesign that would retain the garden outlook and architectural character of the original space while creating a highly functional bathroom for a family with three adult children.
The design also needed to introduce a separate powder room within the existing footprint, while working within Body Corporate constraints, resolving poor ventilation and avoiding the complexity of a DA.
Bold design while honouring 1970s vintage
Inspired by the warm, expressive atmosphere of the homeowner’s favourite Mediterranean restaurant, the design was envisioned to feel bold, organic and unexpected while still honouring the 1970s vintage of the home.
Through careful space planning, we were able to create two rooms from one by adding walls rather than altering structural elements.
Being on the ground floor also provided flexibility around access constraints and approvals.
The original entry was retained for the new powder room, while a new doorway off the hall was created for the family bathroom.
“Removing the sunken spa bath immediately opened the footprint and allowed for a more innovative layout with clearly defined zones, while preserving the openness and natural light created by the glass ceiling,” says Lyndel Donaldson.
The long walk-in shower was designed to feel like a room of its own.
A curved wall and cantilevered seat create the sense of intimacy and protection the owner desired while making a bold sculptural statement.
Repetition of curves softens space
Repetition of curves through the shower, tapware, basin, mirror, bath and toilet softens the space and brings cohesion to the scheme.
Extending the wall colour into the courtyard further elongates the perspective and strengthens the connection between inside and out.
Deep terracotta tones, porcelain mosaics, travertine, terrazzo and aged brass details create a relaxed Mediterranean mood with a subtle retro edge,” says Lyndel Donaldson.
A custom concrete basin and stone-look bath reinforce the grounded character of the space, while layered lighting and robust inline ventilation solutions resolved the practical challenges of the raked ceiling.
The result is a bold modern Mediterranean bathroom that delivers both functionality and atmosphere while bringing immense joy to the homeowners.
Find more design ideas and inspiration at trendsideas.com
Credit List
DesignerLyndel Donaldson, Designstory Interiors | Vanity cabinetryHarper in Florentine Walnut Laminate by ADP, from The Bathroom Collective |
Cabinetry hardwareBlum | BenchtopGrey Travertine Mineral Surface by ADP, from The Bathroom Collective |
BathEgg Oval, from ATS Tile and Bathroom | Taps/shower fittings/accessoriesSydney Antique Bronze by Yabby, from Verandah Trade |
BasinLyra in Terra concrete by Blend Concrete Design | FlooringPorcelain Terrazzo, from Academy Tiles |
Wall tilesCampana Mosaics, from Academy Tiles; Botticino Stone Subways, from Lulo Tile | ToiletFienza, from The Bathroom Collective |
PaintDulux Phantom Beige and Dulux Tobacco Red | LightingCustom, from Showsun Lighting Co |
Underfloor heatingColdbuster | AwardsTrends International Design Awards (TIDA) Bathrooms – Winner |
A 1970’s townhouse with an original bathroom offered a rare and character-rich starting point, defined by its dramatic glass raked ceiling and enclosed garden courtyard.
While full of personality and potential, the room was awkwardly dominated by an oversized sunken spa bath and no longer functioned effectively for family life.
The brief called for a complete redesign that would retain the garden outlook and architectural character of the original space while creating a highly functional bathroom for a family with three adult children.
The design also needed to introduce a separate powder room within the existing footprint, while working within Body Corporate constraints, resolving poor ventilation and avoiding the complexity of a DA.
Bold design while honouring 1970s vintage
Inspired by the warm, expressive atmosphere of the homeowner’s favourite Mediterranean restaurant, the design was envisioned to feel bold, organic and unexpected while still honouring the 1970s vintage of the home.
Through careful space planning, we were able to create two rooms from one by adding walls rather than altering structural elements.
Being on the ground floor also provided flexibility around access constraints and approvals.
The original entry was retained for the new powder room, while a new doorway off the hall was created for the family bathroom.
“Removing the sunken spa bath immediately opened the footprint and allowed for a more innovative layout with clearly defined zones, while preserving the openness and natural light created by the glass ceiling,” says Lyndel Donaldson.
The long walk-in shower was designed to feel like a room of its own.
A curved wall and cantilevered seat create the sense of intimacy and protection the owner desired while making a bold sculptural statement.
Repetition of curves softens space
Repetition of curves through the shower, tapware, basin, mirror, bath and toilet softens the space and brings cohesion to the scheme.
Extending the wall colour into the courtyard further elongates the perspective and strengthens the connection between inside and out.
Deep terracotta tones, porcelain mosaics, travertine, terrazzo and aged brass details create a relaxed Mediterranean mood with a subtle retro edge,” says Lyndel Donaldson.
A custom concrete basin and stone-look bath reinforce the grounded character of the space, while layered lighting and robust inline ventilation solutions resolved the practical challenges of the raked ceiling.
The result is a bold modern Mediterranean bathroom that delivers both functionality and atmosphere while bringing immense joy to the homeowners.
Find more design ideas and inspiration at trendsideas.com
[clean_tags]
Credit List
DesignerLyndel Donaldson, Designstory Interiors | Vanity cabinetryHarper in Florentine Walnut Laminate by ADP, from The Bathroom Collective |
Cabinetry hardwareBlum | BenchtopGrey Travertine Mineral Surface by ADP, from The Bathroom Collective |
BathEgg Oval, from ATS Tile and Bathroom | Taps/shower fittings/accessoriesSydney Antique Bronze by Yabby, from Verandah Trade |
BasinLyra in Terra concrete by Blend Concrete Design | FlooringPorcelain Terrazzo, from Academy Tiles |
Wall tilesCampana Mosaics, from Academy Tiles; Botticino Stone Subways, from Lulo Tile | ToiletFienza, from The Bathroom Collective |
PaintDulux Phantom Beige and Dulux Tobacco Red | LightingCustom, from Showsun Lighting Co |
Underfloor heatingColdbuster | AwardsTrends International Design Awards (TIDA) Bathrooms – Winner |
Related Articles
Thrice as nice
For this project, three new bathrooms add to the charm of the original home – subtle design details tie the bathrooms together, ensuring consistency, while each space still achieves its own identity
Tactile by the sea
How best to evoke a coastal theme for a bathroom by the sea? Here, the use of natural stone and timber-look finishes gets the vibe just right
Wonder wall
A focal point of this bathroom, a wall of Onyx, Green Natural tiles creates the effect of a larger slab of marble running from behind the vanity through to the shower/bath wet area
Portfolios
View Industry Specialists
Portfolios
View Industry Specialists
Askö
Furniture designed for life. Ethically made dining and living furniture and accessories by international and New Zealand designers where refined elegance meets sleek, contemporary form. Explore our extensive range of designer furniture via our Christchurch showroom or browse online.
Plumbing World
Plumbing World is New Zealand’s most prominent 100% Kiwi-owned national plumbing merchant, operating over 50 branches from Kerikeri to Invercargill. Plumbing World offers a wide range of bathroom, kitchen, laundry, heating, and hot water products, catering to trade professionals and homeowners.
Landmark Homes
Founding directors Paul and Debbie Clarke established Landmark Homes in 1977. Their vision was to offer “something more exciting” than the average home: a home that made creative use of space but was also beautiful to live in.
Mastercraft Kitchens
Founded in 1985, we are the largest group of independently owned and operated kitchen businesses in New Zealand, operating under a national banner. Our licensees have been carefully selected and are experts in their craft. We share an absolute passion for the design, manufacture and installation of high quality, well designed kitchens and other household cabinetry provided with personalised, friendly local service. Think national - be local.
Kitchen Studio
At Kitchen Studio we are very proud of the fact that we are been voted the most trusted kitchen brand in New Zealand for the ninth year running, and there are good reasons why more Kiwis trust us to transform their kitchen than anyone else.
Box™
Box Studio isn’t like other New Zealand architecture firms; we’re a building design company responsible for every part of the process, from design to construction. If you’re looking for a team of designers or builders in Auckland, we can help.
The best architects know what it means to design both beautifully and practically, ensuring the best builders can, in turn, build more efficiently and collaboratively with you and the designer or architect.
Our consistent and attentive involvement of each team throughout the entire design-build process includes our in-house cost estimation team, who value-engineer projects to ensure the highest quality and value, while respecting your vision as our client.
Frontier Pools
We specialise in bespoke concrete swimming pool design and construction.
From infinity-edge showpieces to compact plunge pools in tight city spaces, we create concrete pools in any shape, size, or finish. The possibilities are endless and the quality is uncompromising.
With an expert in-house team, we manage every step, from concept to completion, delivering high-quality pools tailored to your space, style, and lifestyle.
Altus Window Systems
Altus is a leading New Zealand manufacturer and exporter of innovative designs in aluminium extrusions and extrusion-based building systems.
Altus is an award winning leader of the Aluminium extrusion and rolled product market. We specialise in design, manufacture, import and export of extrusion and rolled product, and distribute to both local and International markets.
We’re experts in creating solutions to integrate and partner with our customers across a wide range of sectors; marine, transport, architectural systems, window and door fabrication, mechanical engineering and agricultural industries.
Luxaflex®
Luxaflex® has been adding style and sophistication to New Zealand windows since the 1950s. Our design heritage is founded on innovation for today and tomorrow while taking care to celebrate the beauty in the details. To us, form and function are synonymous. Consistently pushing the boundaries, we are proud to be the market-leaders in daylight regulation and solar heat control solutions.
We combine unique design and practical features to create outstanding products – the essential ingredients for creating any discerning home.
Plantation Bamboo
Building or renovating your home? You want materials that are durable, sustainable and beautiful enough to enjoy every day.
Plantation Bamboo makes it easier to discover the possibilities of bamboo for your home. From warm, natural flooring and durable decking to exterior cladding, joinery and interior panels, bamboo can bring strength, character and a considered finish to a wide range of spaces.
As New Zealand bamboo specialists, we offer carefully selected products for homeowners looking for materials that combine natural beauty with long-lasting performance.
Explore bamboo for your next project with Plantation Bamboo.
Registered Master Landscapers
With a commitment to craftsmanship, professionalism, and integrity, Registered Master Landscapers members represent some of New Zealand’s leading landscape design, build, and maintenance specialists.
Since 1985, the association has promoted quality trade practices and recognised excellence across the landscaping industry, with members assessed on the standard of their work and business practices.
From beautifully designed outdoor living spaces to large-scale landscape transformations, this portfolio showcases projects that reflect creativity, technical expertise, environmental awareness, and a dedication to delivering exceptional results for New Zealand homeowners and communities.
Hot Springs Spas
Kiwis are naturally drawn to the water. After all, we are completely surrounded by the ocean on all sides. There is something about the relaxing lull and healing properties of water immersion that we can't seem to get enough of. It is why spa pools have become such a backyard staple for many Kiwis over the last 40 years.
Spa pools are not only a place to soak away the stresses of the day but also a way to connect with nature, family and friends and to spend quality time far away from modern day distractions.
Kiwis by nature have a desire for high quality product which is why Hot Spring® spas are relenting in delivering those quality spa pool products to New Zealand and beyond.
Kitchen Studio
At Kitchen Studio we are very proud of the fact that we are been voted the most trusted kitchen brand in New Zealand for the ninth year running, and there are good reasons why more Kiwis trust us to transform their kitchen than anyone else.
Box™
Box Studio isn’t like other New Zealand architecture firms; we’re a building design company responsible for every part of the process, from design to construction. If you’re looking for a team of designers or builders in Auckland, we can help.
The best architects know what it means to design both beautifully and practically, ensuring the best builders can, in turn, build more efficiently and collaboratively with you and the designer or architect.
Our consistent and attentive involvement of each team throughout the entire design-build process includes our in-house cost estimation team, who value-engineer projects to ensure the highest quality and value, while respecting your vision as our client.
Frontier Pools
We specialise in bespoke concrete swimming pool design and construction.
From infinity-edge showpieces to compact plunge pools in tight city spaces, we create concrete pools in any shape, size, or finish. The possibilities are endless and the quality is uncompromising.
With an expert in-house team, we manage every step, from concept to completion, delivering high-quality pools tailored to your space, style, and lifestyle.