7 breathtaking bathrooms

Photographs Francois Oberholster, Karl Rogers, Elza Cooper and Stephan van Eck Styling Marian van Wyk and Amanda van Wyngaardt

A neutral palette with loads oftexture creates a peaceful feelin the en suite. Only a narrowwall that provides privacy for theshower separates the bathroomfrom the bedroom. Rugs and mirror fromMRP Home; metrotiles from CTM; creamscatter cushion fromMRP Home

1 Just beachy

When Jacoline van Zyl and Alexander Penman wereitching to do a renovation project, Jacoline's mom anddad's beach house in Struisbaai presented theideal opportunity.

"My parents, Japie and Mayne van Zyl, haveowned the house for 10 years and it had becomeslightly run-down. Alexander and I literally lived inthe dust for eight months during the renovation,"says Jacoline. The main bedroom's en suite was partof this project. Where there were once four small,dark rooms crammed next to each other, Jacoline andAlexander have created a spacious open-plan bedroomand bathroom. "We wanted to give the room a luxurious feelwith lots of natural light - but it had to retain the holiday vibe," says Jacoline.

EXPERT ADVICE

Henk Louwrens, owner of WaterBoys Plumbing, offers these tipsfor showers:

Open showers are currently popularbut they requireafloor space of atleast 1.5x1m. And to ensure that water does notaccumulate in the shower, the floor must have a30-40mm slope towards the drain.

If possible, invest in a drainage system that cancollect water over a larger area; this will help thewater to drain faster. Don't install the taps directlyunder the shower head; this way, you can turn onthe taps and get the perfect temperature withoutstanding directly under the water.

To prevent the grout between tiles fromdiscolouring due to minerals in the water, replacethe water component in the grout mixture with abonding liquid such as Tylon Bond-it. It makes thegrout waterproof so it won't discolour.

CONTACT 023 347 8833, waterboys.co.za

2 Cool oasis

Chris Willemse and Dan Erwee, owners of the floraldesign business Okasie, transformed a dilapidatedfarmhouse in the Banhoek Valley in Stellenbosch intoa characterful home for their French friends.

Two bedrooms are situated next to the old veranda,which provided the ideal space in which to create anen-suite bathroom adjacent to each one. Thanks tothe support beams and curvature of the corrugated iron roof, they were able to retain the original verandaaesthetic. Floor-to-ceiling steel-framed windowsprovide a lovely view of the garden, while houseplantsthat thrive in the natural light and humidity of thebathroom create just the right amount of privacy.http://waterboys.co.za/

Dark blue mosaic tiles in the shower are reminiscentof deep pools of water, while a loose rug lends aluxurious touch to the space.

3 Romantic

In 2018, Chris and Dan bought the property next totheirs with friends and converted it into guestaccommodation consisting of five suites. Johann Slee,architect and co-owner of Johannesdal 1207, wantedto preserve the historic identity of the property so hecreated a romantic feel in this bathroom (it forms partof the Silver Tree Suite).

A focal window behind the bath overlooks a privategarden that also boasts an outdoor shower. The trunksof the trees outside the window were stripped bare,after which Dan painted them red to create aninteresting focal point.

Klompie bricks in a herringbone pattern are arecurring theme at Johannesdal 1207 and here, underthe freestanding bath, they are also a practical,non-slip solution. The floor in the rest of the space iscovered with composite wood. A plush rug purchasedon a trip to Tangier, Morocco anchors the space.The shower, basins and loo are hidden from viewbehind a barn door.

EXPERT ADVICE

Steel-framed windows likethese lend a classicindustrial feel to a home andremain a popular choice.They are used everywhere thesedays - from traditional windows toshower partitions. Make sure you takethe right precautions if you want to usethem in a bathroom, says Olivia Arnoldusof Klapmuts Windows:

"The best way to protect steel-framed windowsfrom the humidity in a bathroom and possiblerust is to have them galvanised. Steel treatedthis way can last a lifetime. Powder-coatedframes can also last a long time, but they are notsuitable for bathrooms or houses at the coastwhere they can easily rust.

"If you want to renovate existing steel-framedwindows, you must first make sure that all theold paint has been removed before you can havethem treated."

CONTACT 021 875 5885, klapmutswindows.co.za

4 A touch of nostalgia

It was the Edwardian style of this home in Paarlthat fascinated Michael and Janine O'Gradywhen they bought the house from Janine'sparents five years ago. Although they loved theoriginal wooden floors and high ceilings, the twobathrooms were dated and cramped.

Michael, the owner of a plumbing business,and Janine, who owns Makietie Fabrics,immediately set to work renovating thebathrooms. "We wanted any changes we madeto complement the style of the house. Plenty ofstorage space and clean surfaces were also apriority, especially since we have three childrenin the household," says Janine.

The O'Gradys drew up the plans for their newbathrooms in the beach sand at Stilbaai, andfrom there their dreams became a reality.Since both bathrooms are compact, they hadto devise clever ways to make the most of everycentimetre. Each bathroom now boasts aspacious walk-in shower, striking floor tiles andsmart solutions for storage and hanging space.

The O'Gradys changed the layout of the mainbedroom's en suite quite substantially. "We brickedup the door of the original bathroom to enlarge theshower. We no longer have a bath in the house butour walk-in shower serves as a steam room, whichis much more waterwise than a bath," says Janine.The new entrance is through the bedroom closet- this gave them an additional length of wall wherethe new contemporary vanity now stands.

Mirrors fromOn Tap; floor tiles fromMoroccan Warehouse

The built-in bench in theshower actually hidespipes. "Because the houseis so old, we weren't keento demolish any wallsunnecessarily," explainsJanine. The patterned tilesthat are repeated on thebench create continuity.

he mirror comes fromthe original bathroom, butJanine had it cut into acircular shape for a morecontemporary look. In thecorner next to the bathroomdoor,anarrow cupboardserves as storage space fortowels and other essentials.

Previously, this bathroom only had a bath, which wasimpractical for the O'Grady kids - Matina, Milli andLeo. Since the patterned floor tiles already lookedbusy, they wanted to keep the rest of the bathroomas simple as possible, so they avoided shower walls.Now, thanks to a frameless glass door and whitetiles, the 10m2 bathroom feels more spacious.Floor tiles from Moroccan Warehouse; vanity custommade by Sleekline

EXPERT ADVICE

Baths remain a popularchoice, especially foryoung families, saysLynette Kannemeyer ofPam Golding Wellington:

"With the drought we'veexperienced over the past fewyears, showers have increased inpopularity as a waterwise option.Although oversized corner bathsand spa baths are definitelyoutdated, regular baths still hold acertain appeal

"If your house only hasshowers, it won't necessarilyaffect the market value, but it mayinfluence potential buyers whenyou decide to sell your house oneday. Families with young childrenoften prefer to have at least onebath. For older people who mayfind it difficult to get in and out ofa bath, this is less ofapriority.

"If there are two bathroomsin a house and you have theopportunity to retain one bathwhen you do your planning, thenrather do so."

CONTACT 021 873 4557, pamgolding.co.za

The integrated Calacatta quartz basinsensure a seamless look for the vanity;the latter was made from MDF andfinished with spray paint. Large matteblack floor tiles were cut into long thinstrips and laid in a herringbone pattern tocreate texture.

5 Modern monochrome

Dated finishes, a dark brown bath and heavy furniture made way for acontemporary monochrome look when Heather and Trent Hodges renovated theirJohannesburg bathroom two years ago. A freestanding bath right next to a largewindow forms a chic focal point in this stylish space.

"The whole house is fresh and modern, so the bathroom had to complementthis aesthetic," explains interior designer Debbie Luke of Designed by Debbie.This third-floor window overlooks the driveway but a thin roller blind provides thenecessary privacy. Since the bathroom is on the top floor of the house, the layouthad to match that of the original bathroom, as far as possible, in order to connectto the existing plumbing.

An abundance of natural light means the space is still bright, despite the blackfinishes. For added texture, the wall behind the basins was screeded withEarthcote Pandomo and sealed with Earthcote Wall Wax.

Black elements such asthe taps and shower headensure uniformity. Taps from Meir

In the shower,black mosaic tilesfrom Douglas Jonescreate drama andthe sleek lines ofthe black aluminiumshower frame suitthis modern spaceperfectly.

6 Ocean bliss

Liza Grobler and Norman O'Flynn have been living in their home in Woodstock, CapeTown for almost 16 years. When their neighbours in a semi-detached house next doorbuilt a new storey three years ago, the couple decided to do the same and thisbathroom was part of the renovation. Liza, a visual artist, unleashed her creativity in thissmall space with a striking scalloped design on the walls.

She applied the pattern withsample pots of dark blue and white paint, and then sealed the wall with HarlequinPaints Cretesealer. "It sealed the colours perfectly and gave the project a bit of finesse,"Liza explains. Handmade ceramic eyes, left over from one of her previous projects, wererandomly embedded in the pattern.

White metro tileslaid vertically inthe shower create asense of height inthe space.

Liza boughtthis pendant atGreenmarketSquare years agowhen she was stilla student; shegave the cable afresh coat of bluepaint to matchthe rest of thebathroom.

A marble-lookbasin immediatelydraws your eyein this compactspace. Coppercoloured taps andan ornate mirrorenhance the oceantheme and theporcelain planterswith hand-paintedbeach motifs areLiza's handiwork.

Dark blue mosaicfloor tiles andaccessories with asubtle water themegive the bathrooman underwater feel.A walk-in showerwith a framelesspartition makes thebest use of space.

EXPERT ADVICE

Steam causes highlevels of humidity ina bathroom, whichcarries the risk ofmildew forming, so itis important to prepareyour walls properly andchoose paint that is suitable."Selecting the right bathroompaint requires more researchthan one would think,"explains Dulux colour expertPalesa Ramaisa:

"It's not just about the perfectcolour. Bathroom paint mustcontain the right ingredientsand possess the necessaryproperties to make it suitable forhumid environments; ideally, itshould also be easy to wipe dirtoff.Irecommend using a paintthat is specifically formulatedfor bathrooms, such as DuluxDampshield which is resistantto moisture levels up to 50%.This will help surfaces towithstand the onslaught ofwater, steam and moisture, andalso eliminate mildew.

"If there isaproblemwith mildew and insufficientventilation in a bathroom, usediluted bleach or a fungicide/mildew remover to counteract it.Do this the day before you planto paint so that the surface candry out completely.

"Then prepare the surfaceby removing any peeling paintwith a scraper and filling cracksor holes with a water-resistantfiller. Wait until the surface isdry then sand it to a smoothfinish. Thereafter, apply DuluxWaterproofing - an acrylicwaterproof paint developed foruse with a mesh membrane.Then paint your walls and ceilingwith Dulux Dampshield - it'swater-based, low odour andcleans easily.

"Lastly, wipe bathroomsurfaces regularly with a bleachsolution or mould remover toreduce mildew."

CONTACTdulux.co.za

Kim bought the gorgeous cabinet at the NewarkVintage Show when she and Brendan were livingin England. "The cabinet provides storage spacefor everything from brushes and toothpaste to hairelastics and nail clippers."Mat and towel from Weylandts

7 Vleiland

Brendan and Kim Black had just had their en-suite bathroom refurbished when Kim cameto the conclusion that the grey walls were simply too dull. Realising that an artwork wouldget too damp in the wet room, this artist decided to paint a beautiful heron on the wallinstead. "I knew it would make an impact and I love the calm blues and other mutedcolours in the space," she explains

The floor of this wet room is ordinary cement coated with a waterproof sealant. "No messand little upkeep!" says Kim.

EXPERT ADVICE

Designing a wet room

The thought of"everything gettingwet" in a wet room puts offmany homeowners but it isa very convenient option,provided you choose theright materials, says interiorarchitect Trisch Barnard ofProject Works. "With goodadvice and the right design,a wet room can be a practicaland cost-effective option fora bathroom." Keep these tipsin mind:

• Ventilation is extremelyimportant.Iprefer a windowthat can open for fresh air but ifthere isn't enough space, anextractor fan or a combinationof the two is also an option.

• Make sure the finishes youchoose can handle a lot ofmoisture. Aluminium windowframes and shutters work well ina wet room; they provide privacyand can easily be cleaned.

• Your floor should have a slightslope and preferably a long,rectangular drain that will allowexcess water to flow away easilyand quickly.Afew round drainswill also work. If you don't havethe services of an architect orcontractor at your disposal, agood plumber with the rightexperience should be able tohelp you with the layout ofthe drains.

• Choose a non-slip floor finish.The substrate under this finish- whether it be cement, tiles orsome other material - plays amajor role in the waterproofingof the room.

• If there is no natural light inthe wet room, consider askylight. But keep in mind thatthis is not an adequate solutionfor ventilation. Special care isneeded when it comes to thewaterproofing of a skylight.

CONTACT projectworks.co.za