By still waters

A vacation home is often laid out to maximize views to the scenery. When the house also follows a specific architectural vernacular, these two elements can define the interior spaces the ensuite bathroom included.

This master suite is part of a new lakeside house by residential designer Jeff Murphy, with interior design by Willis Watts. The home, in the English Tudor style, has peaked gables and is oriented to its 270° views. The great room on the first floor and master suite above it enjoy the optimum vantage points, says Murphy.

"In the bedroom, the roof shape is left exposed to enhance the sense of space. The bathroom's dormer roof also maximizes volume."

Bathroom areas are set out in hierarchical order, in terms of taking in the waterscape.

"The bathroom itself has a run of windows looking over the lake," says Murphy. "When using the vanities on the opposite wall, mirrors keep the views in sight.

"The shower and toilet cubicles are set behind, at left and right the shower door is in glass so the outlook can be appreciated here, too."

Apart from the toilet area, the dressing room set further back again is the only part of the suite to not have views.

Willis Watts designed the interior with a warm, friendly aesthetic continued from other homes that he and Murphy have created for the owners. However, the bathroom has a slightly different feel.

"In a weekend residence, the interiors are user friendly and low maintenance. For this bathroom I also wanted to create a feeling of space, despite its modest footprint," says Watts. "To achieve this, I kept the material palette simple, with cool white marble tiles on the floors and walls.

"We also set the vanities on legs to maximize visible floor area and chose pocket doors for economy of space."

Story by: Charles Moxham