Melbourne City Ensuite

Architectural Moody Luxury Minimalism

This bathroom has been designed as a contemporary, hotel-inspired retreat, delivering a refined sense of architectural luxury through disciplined material selection and carefully controlled detailing. The overall composition prioritises calm, cohesion and longevity, resulting in a space that feels elevated yet effortless, reminiscent of a high-end boutique hotel rather than a conventional residential bathroom.

At the heart of the design is the custom walnut cabinetry, selected for its rich tonal depth and natural warmth. The timber introduces a furniture-grade quality to the space, grounding the architectural elements and softening the surrounding stone and tile finishes. Its clean lines and understated profile ensure the joinery remains timeless, while the natural grain provides visual interest without unnecessary embellishment.

The vanity is topped with a Fior De Pesco stone benchtop, chosen for its refined veining and elegant tonal movement. The stone adds a sense of quiet luxury and craftsmanship, elevating the bathroom beyond purely functional considerations. Importantly, this same stone is continued from the adjoining kitchen, creating strong whole-of-home material continuity. This considered approach reinforces design cohesion and enhances the overall architectural narrative of the home.

Surface finishes play a key role in shaping the bathroom’s serene atmosphere. Large-format Normandy Classico tiles form the primary wall and floor surfaces, delivering a calm, architectural base with minimal grout lines. Their neutral tone and subtle texture allow the joinery and stone elements to take prominence, while also contributing to a sense of spaciousness and visual clarity.

In contrast, the shower zone introduces a layer of texture through vertical white kit kat tiles. The linear format adds rhythm and depth, gently breaking up the large-scale surfaces without disrupting the room’s refined palette. This vertical detailing draws the eye upward, enhancing the sense of height and reinforcing the space’s architectural proportions.

Fixtures and fittings have been deliberately restrained to maintain a timeless aesthetic. Brushed nickel tapware and accessories provide a soft, understated metallic finish that complements both the walnut cabinetry and stone benchtop. The brushed surface avoids high shine, ensuring the fixtures feel modern and refined rather than decorative or trend-driven.

Lighting is used as a subtle architectural tool rather than a visual feature. Integrated LED strip lighting beneath the shaving cabinet and within the shower enhances depth, ambience and functionality. This concealed lighting approach creates a warm, layered glow while avoiding visual clutter, reinforcing the bathroom’s hotel-inspired sensibility.

The shaving cabinet itself is thoughtfully designed to balance practicality with display. Exposed shelving allows for curated styling and everyday essentials, while concealed storage maintains a clean and uncluttered appearance. This combination elevates daily routines, transforming functional moments into considered experiences.