A Natural Bathing Retreat: Relaxation for Mind, Body & Spirit

- The design brief was to transform an outdated family bathroom into an imaginative and contemporary room containing a spa bath (with separate toilet) incorporating feng shui principles with an emphasis on natural materials. Attention to detail ensures the finished project is original and unique. Nina’s main aim was to promote peace of mind, physical relaxation and spiritual rejuvenation. She developed a timeless scheme that engages the senses and the emotions. During the design process she gave consideration to three main factors: comfort, privacy and ventilation. The light fittings are sealed for safety reasons and have a specially made dimmer switch positioned outside the room which operates each lighting system independently for a variety of different moods and lighting effects.

The original off-set rectangular wood frame window fitted with heavily patterned obscure glass concealed a beautiful view of the private gardens and considerably reduced the natural light. The natural exterior view is reflected in the mirror and repeated within the interior setting through the use of healthy plants, breathing life into the scheme. The vertical design of the windows gives the illusion the room is taller than it is and the curved ceiling features (repeated in the step up to the bath and the vanity countertop) provide housing for lights and extractor. Curves help to reduce the box-like appearance of the cube-shaped room and are continued through to the bow-fronted heated towel rail and the curved detail on the top of the half-height shutters. The shutters and Roman blind provide privacy whilst bathing without obscuring the view.

The room now looks twice as spacious and bright due to the redesign of the clear glass window which has a large mirror positioned opposite. The design includes a built-in seat within the vanity unit and a pair of slender double entrance doors fitted with sparkling faceted crystal knobs. The double-ended spa bath is fitted with headrests, underwater lights, a hand-held shower spray and grips to make it easier to rise safely from the bath. The stone used on the floor, bath panel and steps is fossilised limestone and tumbled marble mosaics add colour and pattern. The built-in vanity unit with handmade wash basin has an integrated tissue holder and water lily feature, concealed storage and laundry bin. There are slatted teak mats inset into the steps up to the bath to provide a practical low-slip surface onto which to step onto even if dripping wet. A glass plinth has been included to display sculpture made by the client’s daughter.

The completed scheme relies mainly on subtle suggestion rather than the obvious. Different horizontal levels and heights help to create visual interest and special eye-catching features evoke pleasant thoughts and memories, so that a discovery is made each time another aspect of the room comes into view, ensuring that plenty of time can be spent in the room without tiring of the surroundings. For instance, the sunken shell feature in the floor is reminiscent of trips to the seaside and holidays abroad. Floating candles can be used during the winter months when the floating lilies hibernate. Mother of pearl Abalone shells are displayed on the window sill and their iridescence adds a jewel-like quality to the scheme.