Boutique bathrooms

ABOVE (click on gallery image to view larger picture): Madeira bath, £4,285; New Victoria basin, £490; WC suite, £500, all from Heritage Bathrooms.

A sanctuary, a spa and a space of your own – a bathroom designed for indulgence is a luxury you can enjoy every day, says Maggie Stevenson.

One of the pleasures of staying in a chic hotel is the bathroom. Warm, bright and pristine, it’s the ideal place in which to start and end a day; so when you’re planning a bathroom at home, why not incorporate elements of luxury hotel style into its design?

The ideal bathroom combines comfort, convenience and character – and if you live in a period house, the character goes with the territory. Bathrooms in houses built before 1900 have often been created in what was once a bedroom, and any retained architectural features will provide an authentic period feel. A fireplace, for example, brings a touch of luxury, and even if you never intend to light a fire you can always burn scented candles in the hearth and enjoy their perfume and gentle flickering light. Working shutters are another feature worth keeping, especially the tiered kind, which allow you to screen the lower part of the window for privacy while leaving the top open to let in light when needed. A window seat, meanwhile, makes the ideal place to sit and manicure your nails, and can also conceal additional storage.

If your bathroom lacks original features, you can always add them. Panelling has become a classic wall treatment for traditional bathrooms, whether it’s the grand floor-to-ceiling kind or simple tongue and groove wainscoting. ‘We find that panelling packs an impressive punch, even in a modest sized bathroom,’ says Nick Corner of Vela Cici, ‘but it’s important to give careful consideration to the proportions, moulding and detail within the design.’

A sense of space makes any room seem luxurious, and there are simple ways to make a small bathroom feel more expansive. Wall-mounted fittings leave the floor clear and uninterrupted, giving the illusion of spaciousness. Built-in cupboards or shelves keep the room clear of clutter for a streamlined look, while good lighting, mirrors (a whole wall of mirror if you have the budget for it) and a clear glass shower enclosure all trick the eye into perceiving open space. A bath placed centrally or in front of a window feels extravagant, and symmetrically arranged fittings give an impression of calm and order – attributes usually associated with larger spaces.

Comfort, of course, is vital, so make sure the basic requirements of warmth (preferably provided by a combination of underfloor heating and towel radiators), good lighting and efficient ventilation are in place, and choose the largest fittings you can accommodate without making the room seem cramped. A generously sized bath, a roomy shower enclosure and twin wash basins are the ideal, but if space is tight go for a wide single basin plus a large bath or shower. Ask your plumber to check the water pressure to ensure the shower gives a heavy, drenching spray, and install a shaver socket and magnifying mirror near the basin.

When it comes to decorating, the easiest way to create luxury is with colour. If you want to cultivate an atmosphere that is warm and cocoon-like, consider dusky tones of chocolate or lilac and use paint with a velvety, ultra-matt finish. For 1930s-style glamour choose subtle tints of oyster and pink with satiny textures, or opt for white, aqua and blue to give a refreshing sparkle. Precious materials such as mother-of- pearl, marble, mirror and pale polished limestone will create an extravagant effect. Laura McCormack from Fired Earth adds, ‘Luxury can lie in the details: understated elements such as glass-trimmed taps, hand-glazed tiles and discreet underfloor heating are perfectly in keeping with a traditional property.’

Country-house style is a sure choice for a period house’s bathroom, but designer Joanna Wood also likes to employ a little deception in this area. ‘In one bathroom, we used etched glass doors to house a large shower with steam and rain bars,’ she says. ‘On the surface it looked like a Victorian bathroom, but with the luxury of a high-tech shower system.’ Adding an antique bath and one or two older pieces of furniture are winning ways of combining period style with modern efficiency.

Find out more about luxury bathroom design...
Finishing touches for luxury bathrooms...

WORDS MAGGIE STEVENSON
All prices and stockists correct at time of publishing
Featured in the March 2012 issue of Period Living