With the help of her interior designer brother, Gisela Hass transformed her old-fashioned bathroom into a sophisticated refuge

This bathroom was terribly outdated. It had a varnished pine vanity and dark slate floor tiles that contrasted sharply with the dreary cream wall tiles. The room was also very dark with only a small strip of cottage pane windows above the vanity letting in natural light.

Before

Before

“My husband, Klaus, and I have busy lifestyles,” says Gisela, “so it was important that our bathroom be a ‘cocoon-like’ sanctum in which to relax. My vision included simple, earthy finishes, modern fittings, a bigger shower and a few quirky elements.”

Once the room was stripped to its bare shell, Gisela’s brother, interior designer Derrick Tabbert, helped her create a completely new layout that involved placing a double vanity in the space where the bath once stood. The wall where the old vanity was situated was knocked down and folding timber doors were installed which open onto an outdoor shower area. This is enveloped by a curved stone wall, which together with the dark wall colour indoors, effectively creates the ‘cocoon-like’ feel Gisela desired. An oval free-standing bath was given pride of place and an oil painting of a woman in period costume mounted above it. Along with the ladder that doubles up as a towel rail and an interesting pendant light, this artwork gives their new-look bathroom an appealing, unconventional character.

“Now OUR bathroom is the haven we’ve always wanted,” smiles Gisela. “Somewhere to escape from reality for a while, whether it’s under the shower on a warm morning or soaking in the tub by candlelight.”

*The walls and floors were screeded by Africote, the free-standing bath is from Oxo Bathrooms, the custom double vanity by Classic Cupboards features a Caesarstone top.