Luxe looks

A bathroom should, in an ideal world, be our very own private sanctuary – a retreat from the stresses and strains of everyday life.
Whether it’s the main family bathroom or a master en-suite, achieving a sense of elegance and tranquillity is key to relaxation. One of the best ways to create such a calm atmosphere is to choose luxury materials and finishes that simply ooze elegance and the feel-good factor.


 
Kelly Hoppen’s beautiful new range of bathware for apaiser includes the Origami collection. Inspired by the traditional Japanese art that gives it its name, it’s the epitome of sophistication in composite stone and is available in the exclusive Kelly Hoppen palette of charcoal, taupe, linen and polar white.

Smart tech makes life easier so when it comes to showers, look to the latest digital designs that come with pre-set temperatures and remote control as standard. A divert system offers the best of both worlds, with a large drencher head for a long soak and a handheld shower for a quick wake-up in the morning.

According to Joanne Savage, Aqualisa brand and design director, the key is to keep it minimal. ‘Choose fittings with clean lines to create a sense of space,’ she advises. ‘Banish clutter and go for a shower with concealed pipes for that spa look. Real luxury is bespoke. Make the space your own by matching some items such as accents of colour but also contrasting textures and finishes. Don’t be afraid to be individual.’

Infinia is the new spa-style shower from Aqualisa with an ultra-low profile control plate and customisable control dials
 
When it comes to materials, Drummond Shaw, director at Drummonds, recommends the use of glamorous and tactile surfaces such as marble, natural stone, solid wood, glass and mirror. ‘To achieve a truly sumptuous look,’ he explains, ‘it is important to choose materials which have an enduring solidity to them, such as our freestanding baths with an enamelled interior and polished and lacquered exterior.’
   
Drummonds’ Usk freestanding cast iron bath shows how a highly reflective metallic finish can create an opulent feel
 
Natural stone can instantly add the luxe look to any bathroom scheme. Technical expert Becky Birch from Mrs Stone Store says that Travertine will give your bathroom a spa-style feel that would set off a roll-top bath or walk-in shower. ‘Available in both honed and polished finishes, limestone works well in large open-plan spaces,’ she explains, ‘and is a popular choice for discerning homeowners looking to create the wow factor.’

Indulge in a relaxing bathroom environment with Travertine tiles from Mrs Stone Store
 
In this luxury bathroom designed by Melinda Hill, senior designer at Ripples, every detail from the vanity unit to the bath panel and marble floor slabs were all bespoke and created especially for the homeowners. ‘For my clients, the idea of luxury is about getting something tailor-made,’ she says, ‘something that has been created just for them with their individual lifestyle and personality in mind.’



Ripples designer Melinda Hill has used a mix of natural wood, stone and metal in this seriously stylish scheme