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Concrete Wonders
Concrete Wonders
Bathrooms are one area of the house where one can truly play around with materials and ideas to make it a personal hideout. Meenakshi Jessani shows us how to add in materials like concrete and rattan to elevate the charm of your bath space…
Good designs coming together are always an outcome of a series of questions asked to the client, which give us an idea of their personal vision of the space. With our expertise, we put together a design that is visually appealing, technically sound and functions flawlessly. My idea was to design a space that is not intimidating and really gives you that sense and warmth of a home.
The design style we followed here is an extension of the client's personality – grounded and calm, yet unconventional and statement-making. We utilised cement for the wash basins, wood paired with cane for countertops/storage areas, metal in offbeat finishes of black and brushed bronze, and we also used tiling with vintage patterns on the floors whilst keeping the walls basic. The master washroom is a luxurious 10x10 feet and houses a bathtub along with other fixtures. The guest washroom is fairly compact, and we've brought in uniqueness with the arched glass partition separating the shower area.
Focus on Flooring
In my childhood, I grew up in homes, which had the most beautiful patterned flooring. In my grandma's bungalow, the entire living room floor had colourful patterns and it made a statement like no other. As we've modernised our ways of living, we've started to use more minimal-looking finishes in our homes. However, I feel a bathroom will always remain one space where we can keep a certain amount of playfulness alive. My intent was to bring in a sense of nostalgia and charm into these designs by using tiles with vintage patterns. Since these spaces were not meant to look polished and gleaming, I wanted to use materials that naturally have character in them. Concrete and rattan paired together complement each other since they both have a certain rawness to them. Concrete, for its mouldability, was used for the wash basins, and rattan was an ideal choice for storage shutters and pendant lights.
Meenakshi’s guide to working with concrete and rattan
⦁ Mouldability into any shape makes concrete a versatile material for all kinds of products. A lot of innovation is possible in its usage as wall panelling, basins, bathtubs and other precast products. Its strength makes it an ideal material for monolithic designs
⦁ It is a timeless material and merges in well with most styles of interior design. There is a lot of research being done on concrete to make the material more lightweight, stronger and weather resistant by adding in some other materials like glass fibre and other composites. This makes it a great new-age, high-performance material
⦁ When using it in humid areas, remember to clear coat or varnish the rattan to protect it from rodents, fungus etc. This will improve its appearance while also strengthening it, increasing its life
⦁ Clean rattan using a soft brush with firm bristles. Regular vacuuming to keep it dust free is essential. Do not expose it to direct or harsh sunlight
Meenakshi Jessani, Principal Architect, MJ Architects, Mumbai
“MJ Architects is an award winning multidisciplinary design firm led by Interior Architect Meenakshi Jessani based out of Mumbai. Their specialization includes bespoke interior design and architecture projects for residential and commercial spaces. Meenakshi believes that design begins with human experience. All her works are a reflection of what she senses and experiences through her everyday life and travels.”
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Images courtesy: MJ Architects
Text by: The Blue Pencil Design Company
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