New master suite with freestanding tub

Master suite by Jennie Dunlop features sculptural bathtub, dark marble wall tiles, limestone floor tiles, cantilevered vanity

A dark charcoal-gray carpet established the color palette floor, interior design, living room, real estate, room, gray, white — A dark charcoal-gray carpet established the color palette for this master suite designed by Jennie Dunlop. Because the suite is in a house that will be sold, the palette was kept neutral, yet contemporary.

Furniture in this master suite was provided by bedroom, ceiling, estate, home, interior design, property, real estate, room, window, gray

Crisp, contemporary accessories are teamed with the more architecture, bathroom, ceiling, estate, floor, flooring, home, interior design, real estate, room, tile, wall, gray, white

Positioned beneath a low window, the freestanding tub architecture, bathroom, bathtub, interior design, plumbing fixture, window, white

Contemporary master suite - Contemporary master suite - angle, bathroom, bathroom sink, plumbing fixture, product design, shower, tap, white

Chocolate-colored Manhattan marble features on the walls and bathroom, ceramic, floor, flooring, home, interior design, plumbing fixture, product design, room, sink, tap, tile, wall, white, gray

Furniture in this master suite was provided by architecture, floor, home, house, interior design, window, white, gray

An adventurous approach to interior design is all very well, but when you are designing an interior for a house that will be sold, it can pay to be a little more circumspect.

That was the idea behind this master suite designed by interior designer Jennie Dunlop, who says the interior needed to be in keeping with the scale of the home and its prestigious location.

"The house is at the top end of the market," she says. "It has a contemporary architectural style, and we wanted to echo that inside, without making it too slick or minimal. The house needed to appeal to a wide range of buyers."

In planning the palette of colors and materials, Dunlop says she prefers to start at the floor and layer up from there.

"For the bedrooms in this house, I chose a charcoal-gray carpet, which adds a comfort factor and helps with sound insulation. And while the carpet is quite dark, it is still a neutral element that works well with many different colors. Here, it is teamed with warm white walls, which are a nice foil for the carpet."

Warm neutrals continue in the ensuite bathroom, which features expansive tiling.

Large limestone tiles were chosen for the flooring, while an accent wall features darker marble tiles with a highly distinctive veining.

"This tile is a very rich, chocolate shade, which adds visual interest without being too bold," says the designer.

In contrast to the crisp lines of the bathroom and the contemporary tapware, Dunlop chose more organic forms for the freestanding tub and the asymmetrical twin basins.

The concept of pampering was also a design influence, the designer says.

Contemporary master suite angle, bathroom, bathroom sink, plumbing fixture, product design, shower, tap, white — Contemporary master suite

"In recent times there has been a noticeable trend towards more glamorous bathrooms with spa-like qualities," she says. "The curves help to balance the hard lines and soften the look."

The tub is positioned in front of the low window so that bathers can enjoy the harbour view beyond.

The view is also reflected in one of the mirrors above the cantilevered vanity.

"Floating the vanity above the floor makes the room seem more spacious although it is already large. We also introduced drawers with recessed handles, to keep the look crisp and modern," says Dunlop.