Personal space

Whatever the size of your house, there is always a reason for building an extension. You may be hankering for a quiet retreat, or perhaps a ground-level suite, as the advancing years make stairs increasingly difficult to negotiate.

Future proofing their residence and adding a library-study were what was required when the owners asked architect Michael Wyatt to design this extension. The substantial home, by architect Peter Beaven, had the air of a manor house, so they asked for a structure that would look like an orangery, a traditional-style glasshouse popular in past centuries, says Wyatt.

"The structure is divided down the middle with the bedroom suite on one side and the library area on the other. The bathroom is at the most private corner and has its own landscaped garden designed for the eyes of bathers only.

"An emphasis on wood surfaces in the main house is carried through into this space on the window frames and cabinets. I designed the cabinets and solid vanity tops to suit the style of the house and scale of the room, so it would not be dwarfed by the 13ft-high ceilings."

As the large library space is mostly in wood and plaster, Wyatt went for a similar look in the bathroom as well, substituting gleaming white tilework for the plaster surfaces. For the floor, the architect chose encaustic tiles often found in dwellings dating from the 17th century, and echoing similar tiles seen in the main residence.

The large mirror increases the sense of volume in the room, as does the open shower cubicle. A freestanding bath also implies spaciousness. Wyatt added looped stainless steel supports on each side of the tub for safety another way of ensuring the suite remains user friendly down the years.

Glass panes set above head height divide the bathroom from the dressing area, bedroom and library, and allow natural light to flow freely into the rest of the extension.

Story by: Trendsideas