Ask the designers: Here’s why you should design a bathroom with large-format tiles

The Roman Baths provided a wellspring of inspiration for Sujono Lim, the namesake co-founder of Sujonohun; he leads the firm with his wife and fellow design director Molina Hun. Sited in Bath, the British landmark has been revered as one of the most prominent religious spas in ancient history, where the hot water from the natural thermal springs still continue to spring forth since its construction over two millennia ago.

“For this bathroom concept, we were inspired by the idea of a Roman bath; they gave citizens of all classes the chance to meet and relax and were viewed as a fundamental element and superiority of Roman civilisation,” says Lim. 

When it came to their take on this classical concept, the studio expressed the most soothing elements of such a public bath while giving the space both a sense of intimacy and luxurious touches befitting an ensuite bathroom in a private house. “In our case, we offer a contemporary interpretation of the Roman bath and a more personal use of the space,” explains Lim. “We have a courtyard-like space where the bathroom elements such as basin, shower, and seating are dispersed around it, creating an open interpretation of how a person would use it, and not limited by practicalities that define typical bathroom design.”

He and his team selected the contrasting Travertino Light and Travertino Dark large-format porcelain tiles from Elysian by Mirage, available at Hafary. “Travertine has been an integral element in the architectural finishes and has proven to stand the test of time. The light travertine provides a calm backdrop on the floor and wall, while the dark travertine creates a contrast for each bathroom element,” says Lim.

The tiles were selected in favour of their durability, large size and the timeless appeal of travertine stone which are printed as a pattern onto the porcelain tiles. Adds Lim: “With large format tiles, we are able to achieve the characteristic look of continuous linear veins in a very accurate graphic. The large format allows us to express the grandeur of the design, and we do not have to worry about the disadvantages of actual stone; these include the possibility of stains, colour fading, and porosity.”

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For Shermaine Ong, founder of Mosh Interior, the studio aimed to create a dramatic space that still conveys soothing effect while incorporating modern design, luxury, technology and an open-concept design that “brings elements of the garden into the space” while fusing Asian details that give this design its unique identity. She worked closely with the firm’s principal designer Tin Orense to realise this serene bathroom.

To amp up the “drama factor” for this space, the team chose a large format tile for the concave shower area: the I Marmi Azur Glossy from Unica by Target Studio’s I Colorati collection. The curved and recessed shower area “is designed to feel like a cave”, says Ong, and the blue tones make the space pop. This is complemented by the Patagonia Glossy Re - Infinito 2.0 by Ceramica Fondovalle, which features earthy tones. She adds: “We also selected a large-format tile in an earthy hue; the brown and cream tones make it feel so subtle but the big prints pack a punch!” 

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As for the rest of the bathroom, the team chose understated designs from the Infinito 2. collection by Ceramica Fondovalle and the Marmi Maximum collection by Fiandre, available at Hafary. These large-format porcelain tiles feature natural textures which the designers found fitting for the garden concept of their bathroom design.

“The large double doors, wooden ceiling cladding, and waterproof wood strips contribute to our Asian inspiration [for this project],” adds Ong. She also admired the Acidic Corten Ret collection by Ceramica Fondovalle for its patinated look. “The bronze-looking tiles also resemble the appearance of traditional hand-worked metal; this gives the entryway a visual richness that does not look overdone.”

Mother Nature is at the heart of this design concept by M.Spaco. Design director Jackie Lai sought to create a “harmonious fusion of nature and modern aesthetics” while blurring the boundaries between the indoor and outdoor spaces.

“The concept for this bathroom design draws inspiration from the harmonious fusion of nature and modern aesthetics. The  primary goal is to create a serene and immersive experience where individuals can connect with the natural environment while enjoying the comforts of a luxurious bathroom,” says Lai.

Set against a lush backdrop of bamboo plants, the design conveys a calming mood, and is paired with tiles from the Elysian collection by Mirage and Grande Stone Look collection by Marazzi, available at Hafary. 

Adds Lai: “The vibrant foliage, textures, and colours of nature are incorporated into the design to create a visually captivating backdrop that evokes a sense of tranquillity and well-being. I love the beautiful shadows cast by the bamboo trees as they sway gently in the breeze, and how the sun's rays filter through the dense foliage casts intricate patterns of light and shadow on the ground.”

This collaboration benefits from Lai’s two-decade-long experience working with the local tile purveyor. “I have been using tiles for the past 20 years of my career and I would say Hafary offers high-quality selection with a diverse range of styles, colours, and finishes. It allows for greater design flexibility and meets my desired aesthetic and functional requirements. Hafary has a reliable and efficient delivery that delivers the tiles to the project site on time and ensures my project progresses smoothly,” he says.

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