SHARED VALUES
Separate his and hers vanities provide plenty of personal space in this glamorous en suite
CAN YOU DESCRIBE THE PROJECT?
This London-based semi was built in the mid-1840s and subdivided into flats during the 1950s. The current owners bought it in a derelict state, with the side wing falling away from the main house and paint peeling from its stucco front. The façade and rear of the building were retained and refurbished, while the layout was completely redone. This bathroom is the new master en suite.
WHAT STEERED THE OVERALL DESIGN DIRECTION?
The owners wanted a calming bathroom that wasn’t too masculine or feminine, as it was a shared space. To create an equal balance, we included moody tones in the colour palette, while the bath and lighting have soft contours, creating a neutral but inviting space.
HOW DID YOU CONFIGURE THE ROOM?
We made a centrepiece of the bath by placing it in front of the original south-facing windows. The shower and WC were then tucked out of view behind frosted glass doors on either side of the room, leaving the decorative vanity units to frame the bath. This layout creates distinct his and hers areas, which works really well.
CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE ARCHITECTURAL STONEWORK?
The stone is Swaledale Fossil, quarried in North Yorkshire. During the 13th century, the same stone was used in Durham Cathedral. We opted to frame the grand windows and tall doorways in stone, in order to bring this beautiful material to a higher level, instead of just using it for the floor and vanity tops. The carved stone architraves help to create further interest. We also included strips of mirror in the window architraves to draw the eye.
WHAT INSPIRED THE DESIGN OF THE VANITY UNITS?
The overall design reflects the owners’ request for an elegant and timeless bathroom with a modern classic element. We used a subtle linen paint effect on the vertical surfaces to add depth, while the tops are in the same Swaledale Fossil used throughout the scheme. As well as spacious drawers in the vanity units, there is recessed storage behind the central mirror panel above each basin.
HOW DID YOU PULL IT ALL TOGETHER?
As the room relies primarily on hard finishes, it was essential to add texture, so a sheer roller blind was used to soften the space as well as provide privacy. The elegant pendant helps to marry the low- and high-level lighting, ensuring there are no gloomy corners.