Marble-look Spanish tiles, dark joinery, and black framed elements create a sense of luxury for this master bathroom
Often renovations are shackled by available space, existing plumbing, even structural dictates – this master suite, however, tells a different story
This award-winning master suite is nothing short of luxurious, with designer Darren James overcoming several structural hurdles to ensure the space was everything the owner could have dreamed of. He literally pushed the boundaries from the outset by extending the suite’s footprint.
“The owner had purchased the waterfront home, constructed in 2001, with a vision of a comprehensive renovation,” says Darren James. “For the master suite, he asked for a masculine influence with generous proportions.”
“He really wanted the bathroom to have the look of an international standard hotel ensuite. However, to accommodate this, the area itself had to be reconfigured due to awkward existing waste locations and a lack of available space.”
To cater to the owner’s desires, Darren James developed an open-plan ensuite by introducing an additional structural beam to span from the existing shower wall to the exterior wall.
“To reconfigure this bathroom, the floor was first x-rayed to enable us to core drill new waste locations through the slab. In addition, an under-used balcony area was closed in and incorporated into the new design.”
This complete reconfiguration allowed the designer to create a more generous footprint that could accommodate a freestanding spa bath, a double shower, large vanity and private toilet.
To achieve the five-star feel desired, James created a moody, masculine look through the use of a darker colour palette, including natural stone-look Spanish tiles and deep wood joinery. Black metal frames were designed for the shower screen, echoing the framing of the mirror cabinets and the picture frame at the threshold between bedroom and ensuite.
The custom joinery around the bath provided not only a unique design feature but a usable shelf for the tub and more casual storage.
“To balance out these darker selections, pops of white were introduced in the form of Corian solid surface for the vanity top, integrated basin and, more innovatively, to clad the spa bath.”
Strategically positioned recessed LED lights highlight various elements in the bathroom and heighten the dramatic feel of the space.
“The bedroom extends the moody palette through soft furnishings, rich wood and a deep paint selection. A standout feature is the custom bedhead – its modern take on classic millwork panelling adding an extra layer of opulence.”