Enlightenment

A room's ambiance can be attributed to several diverse factors from the light flow to the surface finishes. Find the right combination, and the room's desired character is easily unlocked.

The brief for the bathroom on these pages was to create a private, light-filled, contemplative space. Initially, the floorplan comprised a toilet area and a separate, smaller bathroom. Both rooms had featured wood interiors and, as such, were dark and somewhat uninviting, says interior designer Meryl Hare.

"Combining these two spaces and introducing light-toned, texture-rich surfaces produced an open and serene environment," she says. "Commanding views and a private outlook contributed to the bathroom's feeling of retreat. The private aspect of the room also allowed for the use of semi-sheer drapes, which helps to maximize the room's natural light."

The designer furthered this feeling by introducing a hand-waxed limestone vanity and hand-waxed stucco treatments on the walls.

"These finishes bring a reflective quality and add a sense of depth to the surfaces," says Hare.

The limestone cabinetry was imported in pre-cut pieces from Italy and has a rustic, undulating quality to it, in keeping with the hand-finishes.

Centrally locating the bathtub added to the room's feeling of spaciousness.

"Not having to place the bath hard against a wall implies a sense of spacial extravagance, particularly from within the tub," the designer says.

Story by: Trendsideas