Be my guest

Everyone loves to be pampered on holiday, but you don't have to stay in a luxury hotel to get five-star treatment. The owners of this guest house created a private retreat for their visitors a soothing environment to restore both body and soul.

Designed by Gerry Gross and Phil Boustani, the serene, minimalist styling of the suite is initially surprising for guests.

"The exterior of the guest house was designed to complement the traditional look of the main house and the neighboringproperties," says Gross. "The interior, however, is another story. We wanted the suite to reflect a back-to-basics approach. Simple, clean lines, soothing, tranquil colors and a touch of luxury help create the sense of retreat."

Bringing the bathing experience into the bedroom was also a key element. A raised Jacuzzi and open shower are just a step or two from the bed. To further enhance the relaxed holiday feel, the tub, shower and a raised fireplace feature aggregate surrounds embedded with sea shells.

"Both the Jacuzzi and the fireplace are raised to a level where they can be seen from the bed," says Boustani. "Similarly, the fire can be viewed from the tub."

Frosted glass windows behind the tub and the shower cubicle allow plenty of natural light into the room. Dimmer lights on the glass exterior create an interesting visual effect at night.

To contrast the square edges in the room, curved track lighting was introduced to the bedroom ceiling. The gentle curve of the track is repeated in the shape of a wall in a passage beyond the bedroom. This area, painted in a citrus green, leads to a recessed commode and a stainless steel vanity unit.

"Three skylights in the passage are positioned directly above the three curves in the wall so the light is reflected into the space," says Boustani.

The contemporary feel is further enhanced by a Kohler stainless steel basin and Philippe Starck faucets. Stainless steel panels in one wall conceal toiletries, retaining the clean, uncluttered look.

Story by: Trendsideas