DREAM BATHROOM A luxe onyx shower wall forms a striking focal point

MAGNIFICENT ONYX STEALS THE SHOW IN THIS ELEGANTLY APPOINTED MASTER EN SUITE

DESIGNER Sharon Lillywhite, founding partner of Oliver Burns, 020 3036 0485, oliverburns.com.

THE PROPERTY A four-bedroom Georgian, white-stuccoed townhouse in Belgravia, London.

DESIGN BRIEF Understated and elegant were the owners’ watchwords when briefing the Oliver Burns team. They wanted a sophisticated scheme with a luxury feel that wasn’t too overtly glamorous. DIMENSIONS 3x4m

SHOWER

A piece of art in its own right, the green onyx shower wall forms a striking focal point. In the dressing room directly opposite, a floor-toceiling mirror captures the onyx again, doubling the impact. ‘Onyx has a beautiful translucent quality, so when illuminated from behind it creates a subtle glow that highlights the intricacies of the stone,’ says Sharon. ‘The colour tones tie in beautifully with the soft greens and cream shades woven into the design of the master bedroom.’ Fixed to the wall on invisible Perspex supports, the LED lighting panels can be accessed from the bedroom behind for maintenance, if required.

SURFACES

The main stone is polished Aurora marble, which features on the floor, walls and shower interior. ‘This elegant stone is more understated than some marbles, providing the perfect backdrop for the onyx and brushed brass inlay detailing,’ says Sharon. ‘We wanted a marble that would create a calm, tranquil space that enhances the design without detracting attention away from some of the statement design elements.’

BRASS DETAILS

A brushed brass inlay was used to add highlights into the pale marble vanity unit. Thin strips of brass were artfully set around each basin, creating a material link with the brass taps. ‘This design detail provides a visual twist between the on-trend finish of brass and timeless allure of marble,’ explains Sharon. ‘It’s also replicated in the shower, wrapped around the shower controls and storage niche, again beautifully framing the space while creating a sense of symmetry.’

VANITY UNIT

The vanity unit was designed to provide a balance of closed and open storage to conceal any clutter. The unit features clean lines and a streamlined design, with warm timber tones echoing the lampshades above. A narrow stud wall provides space for storage behind the vanity mirrors, which have beautiful bevelled glass. ‘The vanity mirrors include heat demister pads to effectively clear any surface steam – a small but luxurious detail that just makes life easier,’ adds Sharon.

LIGHTING

The pendant chandelier is Rocco Borghese’s Brillante Prestigio design, crafted from layers of tri-cut crystal and chrome. ‘We deliberately selected a chandelier that is not tiered to ensure the design does not overwhelm the space but instead complements the dimensions of the room,’ says Sharon.