A spa-style en suite is the perfect place to recharge
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HOW ANA AND RODRIGO DID IT
‘We bought this house in 2018 as a renovation project. There were two bedrooms in the loft, but we knew such a large, bright space would make a wonderful master suite. We loved the idea of a hideaway at the top of the house and I had a clear vision for a luxurious, spa-style en suite where we could take it easy. We worked with XUL Architecture on the project. I was keen to include a steam room and seating, as well as a large bath, twin basins and a separate shower. There was a lot of structural work: creating the concealed doorway from the bedroom, and reinforcing the floor, as the tiles are very heavy. I gradually built up the look, starting with the floor tiles and mixing simple design with bold statements, such as the wallpaper behind the basins. The building work cost about £8,000 and the installation around £10,000. The whole project took about three months to finish.’
WHAT I’VE LEARNED “At first I slightly regretted not choosing more interesting taps. But in hindsight, I realised the patterned floor, bath, wallpaper and daybed create plenty of design interest. Not everything needs to stand out, or be a feature”
SUBTLE FINISH
HALF-FROSTED WINDOW LETS IN LIGHT WHILE PROVIDING PRIVACY ‘THE DORMER IS A GREAT FEATURE AND WE DISCUSSED PLACING THE BATH LENGTHWAYS TO ACCENTUATE IT. BUT I’M
GLAD THAT WE DIDN’T, AS IT WORKS NICELY AS IT IS.’
Apollo bath, £3,701, Albion Bath Company. Ayla encaustic cement floor tiles, £109sq m, Terrazzo Tiles. Menu wire planters, from £95, Nest
‘THE WALLPAPER DESIGN WAS TAKEN FROM SOME BOTANICAL PRINTS WE HAVE IN THE KITCHEN.’ Bespoke wallpaper, £300, Rutters UK. Bespoke washstand, £1,700, Blériot Construction
BEFORE
‘THE STEAM ROOM IS FANTASTIC FOR RELAXATION. WE’VE INSTALLED A SPEAKER INSIDE, SO I CAN SWITCH OFF WITH AN AUDIO BOOK OR PODCAST.’ Argyle White wall tiles, £60.44sq m, Terrazzo Tiles. Bespoke glass screen, £2,000, Blériot Construction. Similar bench, Blase, £289.99, Wayfair. Steam generator, £3,539, Helo
COMPACT SOFA
A HANDY SPOT TO RELAX IN A SPA-STYLE SPACE
ABOVE ‘THE SLOPING CEILING CREATES A COSY CORNER FOR THE RATTAN DAYBED, WHICH IS MY FAVOURITE SPOT FOR READING. WE KEPT THE ORIGINAL VICTORIAN FIREPLACE AS IT ADDS TO THE COMFY, NEST-LIKE FEEL.’ Bamboo daybed, £495, Flo and Joe, is similar. Try Thibaut Marine in Coral, £78m, Jane Clayton & Company, as cushion fabric. Picasso resin basins, £198, Lusso Stone
RIGHT ‘THE DRESSING TABLE IS VERY COMPACT AND SITS NEATLY IN THE FIRST PART OF THE ROOM WITH THE BATH AND BASINS. I LIKE HOW THE STEAM ROOM AND SHOWER ARE IN THEIR OWN SEPARATE ZONE.’ Ercol Salina dressing table, £725, Heal’s. Reina Claro tube-style towel warmer,
£165, Designer Bathroom Concepts. Plant box, around £170, Ferm Living