BATHROOM TREND
Floor-to-ceiling marble
This luxurious en suite is part of a first-floor apartment in a row of listed Victorian houses that has been elegantly converted by property development and design studio Banda. ‘We wanted the bathroom to feel special, so we chose beautiful marble as a starting point,’ says senior designer Katie Harbison.
‘Carrara marble is elegant without being overpowering and provides understated luxury,’ adds Katie. ‘Its colours are softly neutral, in keeping with the apartment’s natural palette, with grey veining that adds movement.’ The stone was hand-selected in Verona, then laid out, piece by piece, to ensure the best ‘f low ’ of the veining, before it was cut and shipped to the UK. Unlacquered brass taps and shower fittings provide a warm contrast and introduce another material which will develop its own patina over time.
The bath is surrounded in marble to accentuate its role as the focal point of the room and is designed with crisp, clean lines to echo those of the vanity unit and shower enclosure. A n archway was added to separate the areas. ‘We wanted the bath to feel as if it were in its own room,’ says Katie, who set the bath on an oak parquet floor to accentuate the ‘stand-alone’ effect.
Given that there are many non-porous, marble-effect porcelains available, did she consider using one in place of the real thing, which can scuff and stain? ‘They just don’t give the same effect,’ says Katie. ‘Real marble has an authenticity that is hard to replicate.’
The bath is set on an oak parquet floor to make it feel as if it is in its own room