Zen style 7

Timber is a material common to many New Zealand homes – we use it for framing, cladding, flooring and for decorative effect. But using it on virtually every surface of a bathroom is a brave yet beautiful move resulting in a zen-like serenity. This bathroom is in the home of architectural designer Will Tatton who sought to create a space that felt like living in a tree. “We went all out, lining the interior walls and ceilings with cedar ply.” The original tawa floorboards are oiled but the walls and ceiling are polyurethaned to resist moisture. “You need a grunty extractor if you are using timber in a damp environment and you need to take care of such a beautiful material,” says Will. Using timber on all surfaces can make the room appear small so he kept the floor space free by using a wall-hung vanity, shelves and a freestanding bath, but also added a raked ceiling. The frosted glass louvre window lets diffuse light into the room and aids ventilation.