Freestanding Claybrook bath with Plumbline Buddy tapware and overhead plant trough, in a serene travertine ensuite designed by Rarebirds Interiors in Herne Bay, Auckland. Slatted timber screen and curved vanity in foreground.
The Jervois project is a layered ensuite renovation in Herne Bay, Auckland, designed by Rarebirds Interiors for a client seeking a luxurious, retreat-like experience. Navigating raked ceilings and fixed window placements, the design team introduced a sculptural fluted oak vanity, pill-shaped mirrors, and a travertine benchtop with an integrated basin. Brass tapware by Plumbline complements the natural material palette, while a ceiling-mounted planter delivers the client's “Hanging Gardens” brief with cascading greenery. The result is a warm, organic, biophilic sanctuary—recognised with a Highly Commended award at the 2023 TIDA New Zealand Bathroom Awards.

Bathroom Design and Supply, Project Management

Jervois Project Role:

The Jervois ensuite by Rarebirds Interiors transforms architectural challenges into an elegant biophilic sanctuary in Herne Bay, Auckland. Designed for a client who requested a space she’d never want to leave, this award-recognised bathroom balances soaring raked ceilings, awkward window placements, and natural materials. A fluted oak vanity with sculptural travertine basin anchors the space, framed by pill-shaped mirrors and brass Plumbline tapware. Moonstone tiles in a herringbone lay and a bespoke ceiling-mounted planter deliver the Hanging Gardens brief—bringing texture, warmth, and greenery into a calming, functional retreat.

Awards:

Tida Bathroom Awards - Highly Commended 2023

Photography:


  • Our executive client desired to come home to her getaway-from-it-all in this space, and other than these particular requests, our client wanted to see what our creative designer at Rarebirds Interiors would produce.

    This is a large space for an Auckland bathroom renovation, with quirky and challenging architectural elements to be tackled. A large awkwardly shaped window, a skylight, and a third smaller window—both inconveniently placed—needed to remain. The other aspect that presented an aesthetic challenge was the extreme ceiling raking, with one side of the ensuite at a height of 3800mm and the opposite at 2200mm. Great bathroom design was required to create spatial harmony and ensure the new ensuite complemented this Herne Bay home.

    The new design flows out from the well-considered spatial planning, breaking the room into subtle zones of various function. A hinged oak-slatted screen introduces a warm, natural biophilic element and serves to hide the awkward angled window, cleverly creating a private showering area. Of course, a full glass panel sits in behind the timber to protect the screen and adjoining timber vanity from three gorgeous Plumbline Buddy live brass shower heads.

    Showering in this open space or soaking in the organically shaped Apaiser stone bath is a joy during the day—looking out over the lushness of the garden outside, or the hanging garden cascading from a custom-made planter on the inside. Subtle lighting and the night sky viewed through the skylight make this space a joy at night.

    A custom floor-mounted vanity in warm fluted oak, spanning just over 2000mm, allows two individual makeup and grooming areas. Two pill-shaped cabinet mirrors provide beautifully lit storage space. A sweep of Como Travertine by CDK Stone to the vanity top features a stunning basin, created from the same warm Como Travertine. A lower shelf within the basin provides the perfect position for soap and other luxurious products.

    Rarebirds Interiors always champion biophilic design, through both obvious and subtle elements. While the custom “Hanging Garden of Babylon” is an immediate connection to nature, the warm-toned, textured moonstone tiles elegantly continue the serenity that natural elements provide, creating a true sense of sanctuary within this ensuite space.

Kelsie Barley

Detail of the Claybrook freestanding bath with brass Plumbline Buddy tapware and built-in overhead plant trough in a travertine-tiled ensuite by Rarebirds Interiors, Herne Bay, Auckland. Slatted timber screen partially visible.
Floating timber vanity with travertine benchtop and integrated sink, paired with brushed brass Buddy tapware by Plumbline. Oval backlit mirror and travertine tile backdrop in ensuite by Rarebirds Interiors, Herne Bay, Auckland.
Detail of travertine benchtop and integrated sink with brass Buddy tapware by Plumbline, paired with slatted timber vanity in an ensuite designed by Rarebirds Interiors, Herne Bay, Auckland. Handmade soap rests on the ledge.
Glass shower with brass fixtures and built-in niche beside a slatted timber vanity with travertine benchtop and Plumbline brass tapware. Designed by Rarebirds Interiors in Herne Bay, Auckland, featuring soft ambient lighting and travertine tile.
Slatted timber partition separates a walk-in shower with brass fixtures and full-height glazing from a travertine-tiled ensuite with curved timber vanity and backlit mirror. Designed by Rarebirds Interiors, Herne Bay, Auckland.
Curved timber vanity with travertine top and amber dispensers, beside slatted partition wall concealing a walk-in shower with brass controls. Designed by Rarebirds Interiors for a Herne Bay ensuite with a warm, organic feel.
Claybrook freestanding bath with bidet and toilet suite, brass towel rails, and trailing greenery above. Travertine tile walls and floors create a warm, natural feel in this Rarebirds Interiors ensuite in Herne Bay, Auckland.
Travertine benchtop with brushed brass sink and tapware by Plumbline, paired with a slatted timber vanity and oval mirror. Design by Rarebirds Interiors in Herne Bay, Auckland, featuring soft lighting and minimal styling.
“Working with Rarebirds Interiors is fun! A great partnership. I like the keen eye for good design, and ability to provide a space that functions well. The support and management during the project is outstanding - they are all over every issue.

Thanks Rarebirds team for a happy result!”
— Tracey

Words from our client


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