Elevating Bathrooms with Shelley Scribante & Meissen

Shelley Scribante, interior designer and co-owner of House of Décor, chooses Meissen for its modern aesthetic, the way the products feel in the hand, and finishes that work throughout a home's wet areas. Her favourite is the Vita range, because one design can feel classic in brass or industrial in black.

Bathrooms are no longer secondary spaces in the home. They are becoming central to how we start and end our days.

For Shelley, thoughtful bathroom design begins with simplicity, cohesion, and materials that speak without overwhelming.

House of Décor, at 7 Builders Way, Hillcrest, is one of KwaZulu-Natal's most established interior design studios. It combines design services with a curated retail experience, focused on layered, modern interiors that feel personal and functional.

Shelley's approach reflects this ethos: calm yet expressive, balanced yet impactful.

Asked what drew her to Meissen, Shelley names several qualities:

“There are many factors that drew me to Meissen. A few to mention is the modern aesthetic, the way it feels when you handle the products, and the range of versatile colourways that work throughout the wet areas in your home.”

Look, feel and flexibility all matter in Shelley's work. For her, fittings are not just functional. They are foundational to the overall scheme.

Shelley describes her aesthetic as minimal and purposeful:

“I enjoy a simple aesthetic. Less is more. With that being said the items in the space need to speak the volume required. I have found that through Meissen”

In her recent projects, Meissen products have become the visual anchors: pieces that hold presence without overpowering the room.

Their scale, tone and finish help the spaces feel clean and resolved.

Among Meissen's collections, one stands out for Shelley:

“The Vita range is my favourite. I love the way it feels when using it. I find this works in most styles of design. The versatility comes from your colour choice. You can have a more classic feel when using the brass finish or a more industrial feel when using the black colourway.”

That adaptability makes Vita a flexible tool in her design process. It can move between soft, natural interiors and more structured architectural styles.

By changing the finish, the same range blends into very different rooms without losing its identity.

When choosing colours, Shelley matches the fittings to the wider palette:

“Each colourway will allow you to blend with the surrounding aesthetic. I also like the fact that there is a Chrome and a Graphite in this range.”

Vita comes in Chrome, Graphite, Satin Brass and Black, across basin mixers, bath and shower mixers and a freestanding bath mixer.

Multiple finishes within one range let her keep rooms consistent, especially in larger homes or multi-bathroom projects. She can still tailor the mood of each space.

Meissen supports Shelley's approach by offering a range broad enough to unify a space without compromise:

“When designing I like to keep staple accents the same. I don’t often want to mix these items. Meissen allows this with their comprehensive range in the same tonal ranges.”

For her, consistency does not mean repetition. It means harmony.

Sourcing every key product in a matching finish makes Meissen a practical partner for that visual alignment in luxury bathrooms.

To read more on Meissen's colour range and how it fits into 2025 design trends, click here.

Meissen is not a one-off choice for Shelley. It has become a regular part of her material selection, across private and commercial work:

“We have used Meissen in both residential and commercial projects. The product has handled in heavy use areas and by a range of users. The product has performed.”

She adds:

“The appealing factor for me is the product is aesthetically pleasing, delivers a performing product…”

Its durability in heavy-use areas has made Meissen a standout for projects that need both performance and visual integrity in a luxury setting.

Shelley Scribante is the co-owner and lead designer at House of Décor, an interior design studio and curated showroom in the heart of Hillcrest.

She is known for honest, tactile, well-balanced interiors, and works across a wide range of residential and commercial projects.

House of Décor offers everything from full-scale design support to a selected mix of decor, lighting and soft furnishings. The emphasis is on timeless design and long-term comfort.

You can visit them at 7 Builders Way, Hillcrest, or explore more online at www.houseofdecor.co.za.

1. Who is Shelley Scribante and why does she use Meissen products in her designs?

Shelley Scribante is an interior designer and co-owner of House of Décor in Hillcrest, KwaZulu-Natal. She chooses Meissen for its modern aesthetic, tactile quality and versatile finishes, which suit her minimal, purposeful and cohesive approach.

2. Which Meissen bathroom collection is Shelley Scribante's favourite?

Her preferred collection is the Meissen Vita range. A brass finish gives it a classic look and a black colourway an industrial feel, so it suits styles from natural to highly architectural.

3. Why are finishes important in Shelley Scribante's bathroom designs?

Finishes tie the whole bathroom together. With Meissen's colour palette, including Chrome, Graphite, Satin Brass and Double Black, she can keep multiple bathrooms consistent while tailoring the mood of each.

4. Has Meissen been tested in both residential and commercial projects?

Yes. Shelley has specified Meissen products for both residential and commercial projects. She notes that the products have performed in heavy-use areas and with a range of users, while keeping their visual appeal.

5. Where is House of Décor located in South Africa?

House of Décor, co-owned by Shelley Scribante, is at 7 Builders Way, Hillcrest, KwaZulu-Natal. The studio offers interior design services and a curated retail showroom of décor, lighting and furnishings.