Soft, spa-like and surprising

Designed by Katie Scott, Sticks+Stones Design

From the designer:

My homeowners are a creative, art-loving couple who work in the film industry. 

The furnishings in their home reflect this, being a rich and varied mix of Mid-century and multicultural art and collectables. 

The design of their new master ensuite needed to embrace this unique aesthetic and, at the same time, be a little different.

In addition, there was a specific list of requests from the owners:

• A design to soften the solid angular design of the house
• No glass to clean
• A certain amount of privacy within the shared ensuite
• A walk-through space with no doors and access from each side of the bedroom
• A spa feel
• Natural aesthetic with some warmth
• Connection to wardrobe and bedroom
• A dedicated make-up area

This was a complex space with a very detailed brief.

Working with the architecture, I embraced the angles of the high-pitch ceiling by introducing skylights to bring in natural light. 

Task lighting in the vanity space is flushed down the wall via a long recessed strip light in the ceiling. 

Contemporary glass wall sconces add a sculptural feature and extra lighting to this wall, and curved copper-edged mirrors soften the angles of the space. 

The curved theme continues below in the vanities, which are delicately supported by curved, copper-pipe legs.

To achieve the requested privacy within the ensuite – and a glass-free space – partition walls were introduced to separate the bathtub, shower and toilet spaces. 

The wall between the shower and toilet was made thicker and contains a void to allow for venting and ducting. 

The fully tiled internal walls help create a more intimate feel to a large space and add to the spa-like feel.

The bathing area looks out through the bedroom and to the windows, connecting it to the outdoors. 

Although 'open', the feature lighting and fully tiled walls make it feel warm, soft and intimate. 

The large-format, travertine-look tiles in light, warm-grey and beige tones match copper fixings and dark timber, uniting the space and giving a soft, natural aesthetic and the requested resort feel.

Borrowing a sliver of space from the toilet area, I created a make-up station/desk with a full mirror and surround-led strip lighting, fit for a movie star, the dark walnut cabinetry linking it to the vanities in the ensuite.

In the bedroom, a shoulder-height, wall-to-wall padded bedhead is upholstered in a rich, rust/copper-coloured velvet. 

Above this, to the ceiling, is clad with a textured silvered-cork wall tile that connects back to the travertine tile in the ensuite. 

Although very different in texture, both reflect the same tones and patterns with a natural aesthetic.

Designed by: Sticks+Stones Design

Story by: Trendsideas

Photography by: John Williams