HOUSE BEAUTIFUL SAYS...
‘This is a creative mix of imposing black furniture with subtle patterns from tiles and wallpaper, all livened up with bright yellow highlights.’
Tell us about your home
We bought this property after returning from living in Singapore and completely renovated it. As it had been empty for a while and the decor was very 1980s, every room needed attention. Our bedroom and ensuite took a good chunk of the budget, as we had to get some structural work done. However, as we had decided that this is going to be our forever home, we felt justified in treating ourselves to some luxury fittings.
How did the bedroom evolve?
While we were living in Singapore we bought our bed, cabinets and wardrobe, and had them shipped over to the UK when we moved back. This dark wood furniture was the starting point for the scheme. I wanted an elegant bedroom with an open-plan ensuite, all with the look of a luxury hotel. Behind the bed we went for a feature wall using Little Greene’s Hampstead wallpaper in a soft grey and white. The floors were sanded and varnished in a dark tone to complement the furniture and create a cosy feel.
You made some big changes…
Yes, we put up a stud wall to divide the old bathroom and a raised floor was removed in part of the space that became a dressing area. Once we’d decided how to split the room, things began to take shape. We went for a single showstopper basin, which was a deciding factor in how big the wet room could be.
And the decor?
It was really important to me to get the tiles right, and I’d decided that I definitely wanted to include pattern – I spent a long time looking at black, grey and cream options, rather than going for stark white. I also found traditional-style taps and searched out a shower fitting in a shape that I really loved.
Was it a smooth process?
We planned carefully to ensure everything was done in the right order and had to work around the lead times for each element in the ensuite. The plumbing was done first in preparation for the sanitaryware to go in. Next, the bedroom floor was sanded and stained, and then the wardrobes were fitted. Following this the shower and basin fittings were installed, and, finally, the painting and wallpapering were done.
What have you learned from this project?
That the details count. After going to great lengths to choose the right tiles, I wanted to ensure the grout was the perfect shade. Our builder made up boards with four shades of grey grout to help us pick the one that looked best.
Any aspect that you’re particularly happy with?
The shutters – the pale grey colour finishes off the room beautifully. I also love the generous space of the shower and the way we’ve got a mixture of hidden and display storage.