SUMPTUOUS EN SUITES & DRESSING ROOMS

EN SUITES & DRESSING ROOMS Case Study One

Sumptuous en suites & DRESSING ROOMS

Having an adjoining space to a bedroom can offer up a world of possibilities. Here, four design experts reveal their insights on creating a space that is sumptuous and practical

To amplify the sense of sanctuary gained from retreating to the bedroom, design a fittingly decadent en-suite bathroom and dressing room in suitably co-ordinating colours and luxurious finishes. There are opportunities aplenty to experiment with layouts in these personal spaces and create adventurous schemes which may be too much for other areas of the home or keep to calm muted tones, perhaps replicating the mood of a relaxing spa. Creating a separate area within which to prepare for the day ahead – or indeed, to cast off cares and concerns come the evening – affords opportunity to move seamlessly into the next phase of the day.

Here, we showcase a range of rooms and zones that have been carefully considered and conceived by experienced interior designers. Each case study demonstrates it is eminently possible to express the homeowner’s personality as well as create a space to be cherished as a room of one’s own.

Beata Heuman, founder of Beata Heuman Ltd

Bold use of colour and smart materials characterise this master bedroom and en-suite bathroom in an elegant West London townhouse.

The brief “It was great to work with a client with such strong ideas. The owners are artists who are drawn to bold colours and wanted something really different and unusual, almost theatrical. As it was their first house, I wanted to translate the fun and uplifting feel without it being too over-the-top. I wanted to bring a certain calmness as well.”

Working with colour “The look was very much 1930s inspired, but with a slightly fantastical, almost stage set, quality. In the bedroom the bold red of the pelmets and the block blue of the headboard are bright without being overbearing, and act as a counterpoint to the soothing off-white walls. We also painted the bedroom ceiling sky-blue to add an element of fun that was still calming, which further grounds the room.

“The multicolour velvet fabric on the sofa was developed specifically for this project. We’d found a marbleised paper for elsewhere in the house and wanted to bring it in to the textile scheme, but couldn’t find one anywhere, so we made our own, which is now one of our best-selling items.”

Clever detailing “The client requested dark blue walls in the bathroom, so I came up with the idea of using the tiles. They’re handmade and have an undulating surface which plays with the light in a really interesting way and means that even though the colour itself is dark, it’s also light as it’s reflective. We also stopped the tiling two thirds of the way up the wall, creating the effect of a heightened ceiling to further add a feeling of light.

“The mirror in the bathroom sits on what was the chimney breast and the cabinet doors above the rattan radiator covers either side are flush with the wall, providing recessed storage. They are covered with Fornasetti’s Nuvole wallpaper, which was modified by our specialist painter to extend the blue sky above the imaginary line created by the top of the tiling. This further adds to the feeling of height and light, and also creates a nice synergy with the bedroom ceiling, bringing in the idea of the sky.

“In both rooms, we used a wonderful Celia Birtwell fabric for the curtains. It’s a sheer called Beasties, which has an intricate pattern of swirls and creatures leaping that are wonderful to see when the light catches them.”

Outstanding elements “The bath was bespoke and a real labour of love. We were looking at a bathroom by Syrie Maugham (a leading interior designer of the 1920s and 1930s) and then set about recreating it – the surround and top are made in a special wood used in the boating industry.

“The vanity unit has a specialist paint effect to emulate a stylised version of growing lichen. I also put in a lot of effort into the design of its octagonal feet and the marble edge detail – those small elements really make the room.” 

OPPOSITE The bespoke bath was inspired by a design in an early-twentiethcentury bathroom by renowned interior designer of the era Syrie Maugham. Its uted exterior as constructed using a type of wood used in the boating industry that can be submerged in water for 10 years without being affected. ABOVE LEFT The Fornasetti wallpaper on the cabinet doors, which echo the shape of the mirror, was adapted to extend the blue sky above the clouds to correspond with the line of the tiles and create a feeling of further space. ABOVE RIGHT The dark blue walls in the bathroom were the client’s suggestion. The rippled effect of the handmade tiles re ects the light and allows the colour room to breathe.

ABOVE Tones picked out from the striking wallpaper are used elsewhere in the bedroom to create a sense of harmony. RIGHT The dressing room links the bedroom to the bathroom. To enable a walkway through whilst the doors are open, the wardrobes are a shallower depth on one side.

Garry Meakins, founder of Garry Meakins Studio

Creating harmony within the linear layout of a master bedroom, dressing room and en-suite bathroom was key for this home in Bath.

The brief “This project was realised in response to an architectural modification to the client’s Edwardian property, whereby a large contemporary wing was added to the building. Amongst other changes, this created an additional corridor on the first floor between two pre-existing rooms: the master bedroom and the bathroom. We worked with this space to create a dressing room, which links the bedroom at one end to the now en-suite bathroom at the other end, both also included within the project. We wanted to ensure that whilst the dressing room had its own identity it did not dominate the journey from bed to bath, bath to bed.”

Creating the dressing room “As the dressing room is a transitional space, the wardrobes were designed to read as part of the architecture of the building, rather than later built-in joinery.

“Open wardrobes were not an option here – whilst professional interiors photography often presents rows of crisp white Oxford shirts and neatly folded sweaters, the truth is that people really don’t live like that. Instead, we made sure the interiors of the dressing room worked hard and well to accommodate the needs of the client. The spacing of the wardrobes and their doors was of particular importance – with a set of wardrobe doors open, the client still needed to have the space to navigate the room. With this in mind, one set of wardrobes is deeper than the other, in order to address storage needs but also to maintain a sensible walkway through.

“On a similarly practical note, strips of LED lighting were set vertically into the side cheeks of each cabinet, fully illuminating the contents, meaning no more leaving the house wearing deep navy instead of black.”

EN SUITES & DRESSING ROOMS Case Study Two

A sense of cohesion “The client was keen to create a calm, relaxed environment, so the palette across all three rooms was kept minimal to unite the spaces. The materials were selected to be interesting but not overwhelming. For example, in the bathroom, the vanity unit is painted in the same shade as the centre of each panel of the dressing room doors, whilst the wardrobe door frames are in the same simple grey-washed brushed oak which also lines the interiors of the wardrobes. The Crittall screens used here also feature elsewhere in the house, and so were a welcome keynote.

“The bedroom was papered in Foglie di Vite by Lizzo, and complementary tones from this bold, large-scale pattern repeat run throughout the entire space. Whilst it is a large-scale pattern, hanging the paper throughout the room allowed the design to spread its wings a little, rather than be confined to the intensity of a feature wall. I was overjoyed that the client let me paper the entire bedroom rather than a single wall – adding pattern to an entire room is always more successful.”

ABOVE A large-scale pattern wallpaper, Foglie di Vite by Lizzo, was used in the bedroom to create a bold statement. RIGHT In the bathroom, the vanity unit is painted using Topi by Paint & Paper Library. This paint is used on the wardrobe doors in the dressing room, too, for continuity.

EN SUITES &

DRESSING ROOMS Case Study Three

Natalie Stephenson and Juliette Wright, founders of Stephenson Wright

A calm elegant flow and carefully considered details combine in this master bedroom and en-suite bathroom in an apartment in West London.

The brief “When we were tasked with transforming a smart, lateral, second-home apartment in Kensington, our brief was to create a luxurious ‘home from home’ for our client. Located in a large, attractive mansion building, the property dated from the 1930s, and we were commissioned to undertake a full refurbishment and remodel the space entirely for a better sense of flow. Loving clean lines and no-fuss elegant fixtures and fittings, our client wanted us to create a bedroom suite which would be simple and chic, whilst also giving a cocooning sense of calm.”

Creating a stylish synergy “The master bedroom suite was the most important part of this apartment to ‘get right’ for our client. We were emotionally driven here – she wanted to feel enveloped by this room, and to feel relaxed, familiar and safe.

“Bespoke, contrasting Fromental hand-painted silk panels frame the headboard and provide a background for the bronze Holly Hunt swing-arm wall lights that leave the bedside tables free for books and so on, whilst a floral painterly-style fabric frames the windows to emphasise the fresh greenery of the private gardens just outside. The client’s collection of artwork also deserved attention and one such piece takes centre stage above the headboard and introduces a wonderful cobalt blue to complement the ochre and cream tones.

“To create flow into the dressing area of the bedroom, we selected a subtle silk wallpaper throughout for a seamless connection that tied the space together harmoniously. The wardrobe doors are beautifully detailed with silk paper, and aged brass used in the handles and trim, and the interiors of the cupboards are also covered in silk.

“We also worked closely with the client to understand her practical needs. For instance, the mirror at the dressing table has hinged panels either

ABOVE LEFT Bronze inlay detailing on the vanity unit in the en-suite bathroom echoes that of the wardrobe doors and dressing table in the bedroom. Cleverly inserted in the large mirror is a For Town mirror cabinet by Kallista in which to keep personal items. ABOVE Bookmatched marble on the wall and bath panel and warm off-white porcelain oor tiles create eye-catching pattern and a simple chic feel.

side to conceal storage for products and accessories, and there are hidden sockets and charging points, and a bespoke drawer for the hairdryer.”

The en-suite bathroom “Although not extensive in its proportions, we managed to pack plenty of stylish features into the en suite. Mid-tone timbers in the vanity unit and mirror frames create a sense of warmth and an illusion of space, and the bronze inlay detailing on the doors echoes those of the dressing room. We used a largescale porcelain tile in a warm off-white palette for the floor and the marble on the wall behind the bath is bookmatched to produce a striking pattern.

“With practicality, ease of use and storage all key, we opted for a mirror cabinet by Michael S Smith for Kallista, set into the larger mirror, to house personal items, whilst the deep drawers of the vanity unit have compartments of precisely the right size for toiletries.

“The space was finished with features such as the elegant Waterworks Sargent sconces fitted on to the mirror and wall-mounted user-friendly taps from the Grohe Atrio range, all accomplishing the pared-back elegance our client was so keen to achieve.”

ABOVE Bespoke hand-painted silk panels by Fromental add interest and are teamed with equally painterly oral curtains and bronze Holly Hunt wall lights. LEFT The mirror above the dressing table has hinged panels either side to access concealed storage. Hidden sockets and charging points and a bespoke drawer for the hairdryer keep cables out of sight.

EN SUITES & DRESSING ROOMS Case Study Four

Emily Todhunter, co-founder of Todhunter Earle

Thoughtful composition and a restful balance of colour, textiles and pieces create a master bedroom and en-suite bathroom with a timeless feel.

The brief “This is our bedroom in the country – my husband and I and our three children live in a very pretty Georgian farmhouse in Wiltshire, where the bedroom and bathroom face south with stunning views of the Wiltshire Downs. I wanted the bedroom to be a calm sanctuary – we both work in London, so we particularly appreciate the peace of the countryside. As both rooms have lovely proportions and features, including beams in the bedroom, fireplaces in both rooms and old panelling in the bathroom, we wanted to retain the charm and character of the house.”

Balancing colour and pieces “The bedroom has an old gentle pink brick fireplace, so I painted the walls to work with that. When I’m choosing colours I don’t think about it too hard – I just follow my instinct. As in any room, the colours have to balance. These rooms have lovely light and beautiful views, so I just wanted very restful colours and nothing that would shout, or look too clever or thought-out. I just wanted to keep it natural. Someone once said that our [Todhunter Earle] interiors don’t shout, they whisper. I think that’s important.

“The mix of pieces was chosen to add character to the rooms. The bathroom armchair and the chair at the bedroom dressing table are both made by us (the armchair is the Kate, and the dressing room table chair the Misha), and were created in response to clients who wanted something really special.”

Textile choices “The curtains in the bedroom are recycled from another house and are a plain cream fabric which accentuates the view and the lovely sash windows. In the bathroom, the blinds are in a fabric called Ultimate Floppy Linen that I developed with O EcoTextiles – it is organic and is wonderfully soft. I love the window seats in both the bedroom and the bathroom. They’re covered in a linen that has faded

beautifully and which is such a gentle colour that it doesn’t stop your eye from looking at the view.”

Creating a sanctuary “I like the fact that the bathroom isn’t just a bathroom – it’s a room which you can sit in, read in, relax in, even work in. It’s multifunctional, doubling as a dressing room, sitting room and sanctuary. Elements such as the cupboard, armchair, mantelpiece and lamp (you don’t usually expect to see lamps in bathrooms) add to this welcoming feel.

“The freestanding bath in the centre of the bathroom was already there, and I’m a great believer in not changing too much – it leaves the architecture of the room as it is and the panelling intact. This would not have been a bathroom in Georgian times, so I suppose, instinctively, I wanted the room to feel as if it always has done.” 

TOP The window seats in both the bedroom and the bathroom are a favourite spot for quiet contemplation. ABOVE The freestanding bath in the centre of the bathroom was a pre existing fi xture which has been left as it was to best preserve the feel and architecture of the room.

Expert resources for producing a sublime sanctuary

Below are suppliers who can provide help and expertise to create the ideal en-suite bathroom and dressing room

CABINETRY

BARNES OF ASHBURTON Tel 01364 653613 barnesofashburton.co.uk

CHRISTOPHER PETERS Tel 01926 832511 christopherpeters.com

LANSERRING Tel 020 3319 6969 lanserring.com

MARTIN MOORE Tel 0845 180 0015 martinmoore.com

MIDDLETON BESPOKE Tel 01403 864446 middleton-bespoke.co.uk

PLAIN ENGLISH Tel 020 7486 2674 plainenglishdesign.co.uk

SMALLBONE OF DEVIZES Tel 020 7589 5998 smallbone.co.uk

THE WHITE KITCHEN COMPANY Tel 01604 821003 thewhitekitchencompany.com

UNFITTED Tel 01608 650065 unfitted.co.uk

BATHROOMS

BURLINGTON BATHROOMS Tel 01322 473222 burlingtonbathrooms.com

CATCHPOLE & RYE Tel 01233 840840 catchpoleandrye.com

C.P.HART BATHROOMS Tel 020 7902 5250 cphart.co.uk

DEVON & DEVON Tel 020 7221 5137 devon-devon.com

DRUMMONDS Tel 020 7376 4499 drummonds-uk.com

HERITAGE BATHROOMS Tel 03300 268503 heritagebathrooms.com

PORTER Tel 020 3355 1817 porterbathroom.com

ROCA BATHROOMS Tel 01530 830010 uk.roca.com

THE WATER MONOPOLY Tel 020 7624 2636 thewatermonopoly.com

VILLEROY & BOCH Tel 00800 6864 8110 villeroy-boch.co.uk

WATERWORKS Tel 020 7384 4000 waterworks.com

BATHS

CLEARWATER BATHS Tel 01322 473222 clearwaterbaths.com

THE ALBION BATH COMPANY Tel 01255 831605 albionbathco.com

This sleek bath by interior designer Peter Mikic for CP Hart has been manufactured from an eco-sustainable composite material and is recyclable.

THE HURLINGHAM BATH COMPANY Tel 01400 263310 hurlinghambaths.co.uk

VICTORIA + ALBERT BATHS Tel 01952 221 100 vandabaths.com

WATERS BATHS OF ASHBOURNE Tel 01332 824166 watersbaths.co.uk

WILLIAM HOLLAND Tel 01305 251930 williamholland.com

FIXTURES AND FITTINGS

BALINEUM Tel 020 7431 9364 balineum.co.uk

BARBER WILSONS & CO Tel 020 8888 3461 barwil.co.uk

LEFROY BROOKS Tel 01992 708316 uk.lefroybrooks.com

LONDON BASIN COMPANY Tel 020 8749 1267 londonbasincompany.com

PERRIN & ROWE Tel 01708 526361 perrinandrowe.co.uk

SAMUEL HEATH Tel 0121 766 4200 samuel-heath.com

VAUGHAN Tel 020 7349 4600 vaughandesigns.com

ACCESSORIES

CHRISTY Tel 0161 367 5800 christy.co.uk

ROBERT WELCH Tel 01386 840522 robertwelch.com

ROPER RHODES Tel 01225 303900 roperrhodes.co.uk

THE WHITE COMPANY Tel 020 3758 9222 thewhitecompany.com n