Drenched in Colour
Colour drenching works best when the shade does the talking. Here, deep green marble sets the tone immediately. Architect and designer Mohamed Alqari of Qreative Design wanted ‘the serenity of nature in a space that’s usually utilitarian,’ using richly veined stone to bring drama without heaviness. The trick is balance: lighter floors, a sculptural white bathtub and warm gold accents keep the palette immersive rather than intense. Alqari’s guidance is simple: pick one dominant colour and let it flow confidently across surfaces. Add refined materials and soft lighting, and the space reads as calm, cohesive and quietly luxurious.
Character, Curated
In small bathrooms, every detail has to work hard — and this one earns its presence. Jordana Maisie began with the patterned floor tile, using its graphic rhythm as the anchor for the entire scheme. The marble basin, with its sculptural curved edge and exposed brass framework, brings softness without hiding the tile’s impact. Brass repeats across the taps, mirror and sconces to create cohesion and warmth, while the rustic timber ceiling grounds the room with texture. The result strikes a tricky balance of being bold enough to feel memorable, but restrained enough to stay timeless.
All the Drama
A guest bathroom is the ideal place to shift the mood of interiors fast — and wallpaper can do some of the heavy lifting. A wall covering by Arte wraps this bathroom completely, creating instant impact without overwhelming the small footprint. The scale is bold enough to read as a statement and well-contained to stay cohesive. A Calacatta rosa vanity gives the pattern something solid to lean on, while the fluted front adds subtle texture. Studio Klass pendants offer a focused, flattering glow and keep the atmosphere intentionally low-lit. With THG taps and an Eichholtz mirror, every touchpoint feels elevated and considered.
Stone, Amplified
Some bathrooms call for restraint, but this one asked for full-scale drama. Lucy Harris Studio began with a striking onyx vanity chosen with the client. Once installed, it became clear the stone needed to continue. With decorative painter Caroline Lizarraga on board, the onyx ‘jumped’ onto the walls, wrapping every trim and profile in the same swirling pattern. Harris loves the result — a cocooning, mood-driven space where colour and pattern do the talking. Her approach was simply that bathrooms can handle bold moves. When the brief calls for luxe, extending the materiality across every surface creates instant impact.
Quiet Luxury
This master bathroom by Atelier Giorgio shows how restraint can feel richly layered. A sculptural basin unit pairs fluted travertine with book-matched Arabescato marble to create a calm, tonal interplay that sets the mood. The walk-in shower continues the softness with off-white Zellige tiles and a heated marble plinth — small details that elevate comfort without shouting for attention. A Dado Quartz tub and Meir black tapware keep the palette grounded, while Oggie wooden floors and diffused blinds warm the minimalism. The result is a space that reads as serene rather than sparse — through thoughtful materials, subtle contrasts and unmistakable quiet luxury.
Credit
Images: Fadhi Muhammed (drenched in colour); Kort Havens (character, curated); Vigo Jansons (all the drama), Read mcKendree/JBSA (stone, amplIFied); Annelize Nel (Quiet luxury); Stylist: Olga Naiman (Stone, amplified)
This article was originally published in the December/January 2026 Issue of House & Garden SA
