On holiday at home

To wake up in the morning and instantly be able to enjoy views of the sea must be one of the better ways to start the day.

Creating this opportunity was part of the brief for designer Jason Saunders of Arc Seven.1. Although this new home is close to the beach, it is not on the water's edge, so the challenge was to make the most of the views, without loss of privacy. Saunders designed a two-storey house and placed the master suite on the upper level, ensuring views could be enjoyed from both living and private spaces.

And, because this is the owners' retirement home, he has created a master suite with a spa-like atmosphere.

To do this, he visualised the master suite as one large space, with a double-sided fireplace between the two, allowing the the view to be appreciated from both the bathroom and bedroom area.

Natural light floods into the bathroom from floor-to-ceiling windows on two walls, which overlook the downstairs courtyard and a roof garden. A 6ft-high screen wall and planting in the roof garden help connect the master suite with the outdoor elements of the house and provide privacy from neighbours. Curtains in a sheer fabric soften the space and can be pulled at night.

The spa bath, with its champagne holder at one end, is partially concealed from the bedroom by the fireplace, while the toilet and shower are in separate alcoves on one side wall. Above the vanity counter are two mirrored cabinets that float in front of the windows and connect to the ceiling.

Story by: Mary Webb

Photography by: Andrew Pritchard