BATHROOM
Clever use of texture and lighting ensures this marble-filled en suite warms the soul
Swathes of Calacatta Oro marble create a look of timeless luxury.
Can you give us a brief overview?
The property is an impressive period-style home in the Surrey Hills, belonging to a family with five young children. Its previous owners had gone for very contemporary interiors that were far too minimalist and pared back for the home’s period architecture and grandeur. Our clients preferred a more timeless design. There are seven bathrooms and this is the master en suite. The current owners asked us to start from scratch and create a bathroom with elegance that feels bright but warm.
Why is the bath positioned centrally?
There is something so luxurious about having a bath in the middle of a room and this beautiful Waterworks design is probably my all-time favourite; it has such presence. It was the starting point for the design, so naturally needed to take centre stage. The bath also helps to anchor the
shower, allowing us to achieve a large, enclosed showering area without overpowering the rest of the room.
How did you stop the high volumes of marble from making the space feel cold?
The Calacatta Oro marble had the exact air of timeless luxury that we needed. A shadow gap detail in the marble runs through the room at skirting and dado levels, seamlessly connecting the shower enclosure and vanity unit to the walls. We balanced any perceived coldness with dark-stained oak and soft lighting. Above the marble, the walls are finished in polished moisture-resistant plaster, which has a tactile, warm feel to it.
Is there any storage?
The mirrors above the basins have cabinets behind them, and there is a full-height mirrored cabinet between the French doors at the back of the room. We restricted the use of mirrors to these practical roles as too many can quickly make a room feel cold. Then there’s the double vanity unit with its balance of open display for towels – which adds a luxury hotel touch – and deep drawers below.
Can you tell us about the lighting?
We layered a number of lighting types, balanced throughout the room for different mood settings. This house was on a Lutron system, so we had pre-programmed settings such as low level for relaxing in the bath. We installed practical downlights, positioned where they are needed rather than a grid on the ceiling, LED perimeter lighting around the mirrors and in the open display shelves below the vanity, plus decorative Ralph Lauren Home pendants on either side of the mirrors. My favourite light features are the uplights that flank the bath on the ground, which add so much drama.