Travelling further back in time was the secret to style success in this Art Deco bathroom. Situated in a 1920s California bungalow on Sydney’s North Shore, the space was a relic of the 1980s until Lauren Mahoney, creative director of Studio Trio, stepped onsite.
Lauren set about replacing the old ceiling and skylight and re-rendered the walls, before creating a 1920s-look bathroom with a contemporary twist for homeowners Jo and her partner James, who live here with daughters Anna, 18, and Izzie, 14.
Art deco tiles and vanity
“I selected black and white, cream and green, to connect the leadlight, wall colours and outside leafy trees,” says Lauren of the palette, which includes green art deco floor tiles. “The vanity is a show stopper. I had this made by a furniture maker who specialises in traditional pieces.”

“The style was selected to pay homage to the 1920s but with mod cons.”
Lauren Mahoney, interior designer.
Atop the art deco inspired cabinet, made in Briggs Veneers Oak Burl Gloss, is a vanity top in Talostone Black Pearl, a Perrin & Rowe ‘Art Deco’ basin from The English Tapware Company and Brodware ‘Classique’ tapware in Aged Iron to match the existing wall lights and black frame of the custom mirror.
Now, the bathroom blends in with its heritage surrounds and the owners are charmed. “It’s a perfect fit, like it has always been there, but it’s new,” says Lauren
Designer’s tips
Contrasting colours
Use contrasting colours to make a strong statement. “A small space can look super fresh with white tiles and stronger floors,” says Lauren, who paired subway tiles in White Gloss with Black Gloss tiles on the walls, both from Olde English Tiles. A slender black frieze midway up the walls brings a traditional touch to the bathroom, topped with upper walls painted in crisp Dulux White on White.
Space saving
If you’re short on space, try to make items serve double duty. “A shower-bath is a great way to serve two purposes,” shares Lauren. Here, she used a classic ‘Rustic Roll Top 1700’ bath from Belfast Sinks, which matches the black and white palette of the bathroom. The smart Brodware ‘Winslow’ bath and shower tapware set with ‘Classique’ levers and Brodware ‘Winslow’ heated towel rails have the same finish as the basin tapware.
Interior design Studio Trio, studiotrio.com.au Builder AMG Carpentry and Construction, amgcarpentry.com.au
Source book
Joinery Montique Exclusive Furniture, montique.com.au Stonemason Architectural Stone Works, archstoneworks.com.au