Designer tiles and a semi-freestanding tub are features of this ensuite

A combined shower and tub area save space in this modest sized ensuite by Bubbles Bathrooms, which also features a vanity with recycled oak drawer fronts in a Corian cabinet

It may look restrained and elegant but a bathroom, floor, flooring, home, interior design, real estate, room, tile, gray, white — It may look restrained and elegant but a lot of behind-the-scenes work went into this tranquil ensuite. To achieve the semi-freestanding bath, a ledge and pedestal were built out from the wall, while the recessed niche was set back into the wall plane. However, because it was a load-bearing wall a beam was added above the niche to bring strength.

Three types of large-format tile feature in this architecture, bathroom, floor, flooring, interior design, room, tile, wall, gray

A strip drain serves shower and tub in architecture, bathroom, bathtub, floor, interior design, plumbing fixture, tap, tile, wall, gray

This semi-freestanding tub looks like it is floating bathroom, bathtub, floor, interior design, plumbing fixture, product design, tap, tile, gray

This custom vanity with recycled oak drawer fronts bathroom, bathroom accessory, bathroom cabinet, cabinetry, chest of drawers, countertop, drawer, floor, flooring, furniture, interior design, product design, room, sink, tap, tile, wall, wood flooring, gray

The master ensuites soothing natural palette comprises, porcelain, architecture, bathroom, floor, flooring, interior design, property, real estate, room, tile, wood flooring, gray

This verdigrised bronze basin is sealed to protect bathroom sink, ceramic, plumbing fixture, product design, sink, tap, white

A raked glass shower wall is sufficient to architecture, bathroom, floor, flooring, home, interior design, real estate, room, tile, wall, white, gray

Supported by a ledge and pedestal, this tub bathtub, floor, plumbing fixture, tap, tile, gray

A tired ensuite with a space-hogging spa was reinvented as a luxury retreat in this project by designer Owen Barnes of Bubble Bathrooms.

"To make the ensuite feel more spacious, we replaced the spa with a wet area combining the shower and new semi-freestanding bath," Barnes says. "A sloping floor and strip drain serve shower and bath, while a raked blade wall keeps the dry area dry."

To achieve the look of a freestanding bath without losing floor space or inadvertently creating hard to reach places to clean, a supporting ledge and pedestal were built out from the wall. The ledge also provides a landing space for soap and shampoo. The niche was built directly into the wall cavity which had to be reinforced with a support beam as this was a structural wall.

Patterned tiles behind the tub are a feature of the ensuite, as are the recycled oak vanity drawers together with the verdigrised bronze table-top sink. The wooden door and mirror surrounds are stained to match the drawers. The mirror has one central static panel while its outer panels open to recessed cabinetry space.