Eastern Suburbs Residence

Located in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs, this contemporary bathroom project was designed to balance functionality, comfort, and atmosphere, while working within the constraints of an existing C-Bus home automation system.

Led by interior designer Marj Silva, the brief focused on creating a space that supports everyday usability — practical vanity lighting, soft night lighting, and a calming environment around the bath — while maintaining familiarity and ease of use for the client.

"When working with high-end materials and clients, you can't ever be too careful. TecLED helped bring the feature wall to life with an even, striking illumination." — Marj Silva

Lighting design approach

The lighting strategy centres around layered LED lighting, ensuring the space performs across multiple functions throughout the day.

• Comfort-first design — prioritising soft, glare-free lighting for relaxation
• Layered illumination — combining ambient, task, and feature lighting
• Consistent 3000K colour temperature — delivering a warm, residential feel
• Dimmable high-output lighting — allowing full control via the existing C-Bus system

This approach allows the client to adjust brightness levels while maintaining a consistent and cohesive lighting experience.

Feature stone wall — backlit statement lighting

A defining element of the project is the backlit stone feature wall, selected as the central design focus. Working closely with TecLED, the stone was illuminated using a custom backlighting solution to achieve:

• Even light distribution across the entire surface
• A warm, immersive glow that enhances the material's natural pattern
• A striking focal point that elevates the overall spatial experience

The result is both visually powerful and calming, transforming the bathroom into a restorative environment.

Vanity and task lighting

Vanity lighting was a key priority in the brief, ensuring optimal conditions for makeup application and daily routines.

• Carefully positioned lighting delivers even, shadow-free illumination
• Integrated LED solutions provide clarity without harsh glare
• Layered lighting ensures both task functionality and ambient softness

This creates a highly practical yet refined vanity experience.

Night lighting and comfort

For enhanced comfort, under-cabinet and under-mirror LED lighting was introduced as a dedicated night layer.

• Provides a soft, low-level glow for night-time use
• Eliminates the need for harsh overhead lighting
• Supports safe movement without disrupting rest

This subtle lighting layer is essential for user comfort and wellbeing, particularly in residential environments.

Integrated architectural lighting solutions

TecLED supplied a range of integrated lighting solutions to achieve a clean, architectural finish:

• Plaster recessed LED strip — seamlessly integrated into the ceiling for a minimal aesthetic
• IP-rated bathroom downlights — ensuring safe, compliant illumination in wet areas
• Custom LED backlighting system — designed specifically for the stone feature

All lighting elements were selected for their performance, durability, and visual integration.

Design considerations and challenges

The project presented several constraints that shaped the lighting design:

• The existing C-Bus automation system required full compatibility
• A penthouse setting required structural consideration for heavy materials
• The backlit stone installation required precise detailing and expert collaboration

Through close coordination with TecLED, the design achieved a technically precise and visually seamless outcome.

Project outcome

This Eastern Suburbs bathroom demonstrates how layered architectural lighting can transform a functional space into a highly considered, sensory environment. The final result delivers:

• A balance of task, ambient, and feature lighting
• A strong visual focal point through backlit stone
• Enhanced comfort through night lighting and dimmability
• Seamless integration with existing smart home systems

Project credits

Interior design: Marj Silva