Bathrooms of Melbourne: Meeting Rachel Donath

Bathrooms of Melbourne: Meeting Rachel Donath

Living proof that some people’s days seemingly have more hours than others, we’re meeting Rachel Donath, Interior and Furniture Designer of her namesake brand. Welcoming us into her bathroom, and her thoughts on the not-so-private spaces she creates for herself…

When designing bathrooms, how do you balance personality and functionality?

“A bathroom is a very private space, it’s a sanctuary. And I think the places you go to on your own, are the ones that will invigorate you and connect you back to yourself. So for me, having a beautiful space that's calming, that's inspiring, that's uplifting is so important. There’s a lot of emphasis on the way they make you feel.”


Besides your own, what’s your favourite bathroom you’ve been to?

“My grandma's bathroom is insanely beautiful. It's got the original bathtub and basin which are green porcelain, and the tiles are all greens and blues. She decorated it with a rug on the floor – I mean, who has a rug on the floor in the bathroom? – but it totally makes sense. And beautiful towels, beautiful soaps.”

Four kids. A business. And a packed social life. What are some of your ways to reset throughout the day?

“I adore the house that I've built and it's lovely when the kids are running around and it's hectic and busy and people are over, but it's extremely special when no one's home. I like to sit down with a cup of tea and just kind of stare at my light finishings or the big table, or literally, the walls, and just think about how beautiful they are. I reset when I have time to myself.”

Can you describe your relationship with fragrance and the power of scent?

“I'm very aware of scent, how scent can change a space and how it can affect how you feel. It elevates the space, like an extra layer of luxury and attention to detail. You can feel a pleasant smell, your body kind of leans in and it relaxes you.”

What's a smell that will instantly change your mood?

“The smell of good food. Especially the dishes that I was brought up around, like chicken soup on a Friday night. For me, the smell signifies the end of the week, a big exhale and reset. It’s nostalgic, the smell of cooking. It's my love language.”