Master Ensuite...

With all the walls up, the bulkheads built, and the plumbing on site, now it is time to get down to building the finer details of the fit out, such as designing the cabinetry, the wainscoting patterns and marble surrounds. We have been collecting pictures for years, curating ideas, which we finally get to see come to life.

Once we saw this photo we new we wanted the bath to be built into a walled enclosure to create a little nook. We also liked the idea of the marble splash back, and the wainscoting detail to the front of the bath...

So we took the idea of the bath nook above and refined it by changing the shape of the splash-back to that of the one below. We also altered the wainscoting on the front of the bath to match the one shown below, which matches the circular motif used on the front doors and throughout the house.

Below: Another example of the circular motif in the paneling, and also a dark marble border mixed with beige marble...

Below: The builders cutting a wooden template for the marble surround and splash-back for approval prior to sending exact measurements to Greece where the marble will be LASER cut to size and shape directly from the quarry...

There were other smaller examples of this shape of splash-back at the end of baths, which helped confirm this was the shape we wanted...

We also knew that, as in the first photo and the photos above and below, we wanted to scallop the edges of the bath surround...

We had originally built a bulkhead over the bath nook (as in the very first photo), but as the bath protruded far from the bulkhead, like in the picture below, we had the bulkhead removed. We didn't think it looked right if the bath wasn't mostly enclosed by it...

So now the bath sits in a simple nook between two blade walls, without bulkhead. On the inside of the blade walls, and above the marble splash back are mirrors. We liked the idea of having candles around the bath, whose flames were reflected forever in the infinity tunnel that two opposing mirrors create...

The vanity's design is tied to the geometry of the bath nook with it's matching scalloped corners. Although ultimately different from these vanities below, we took inspiration from them all the same...

Above photos from Pinterest.

I look forward to sharing the progress of the vanity with you in due course.

Bathroom Waterworks 2: Showers and Spa Therapies...

Not everyone likes to wallow in a bath, some people like the invigorating blast of a well pressured shower to start their day or a nice hydro-massage at the end of a weekend's gardening.

 P&R did have lovely shower set ups ranging from the traditional to the modern...

I initially was going to go with the shower set above, but then changed my mind in favour of the one below (in gold), as it had the 2 vertical rainbars at the side, and I was not sure that the shower head on a slider was going to add much to the 12 inch rose above (the only time we really use the shower head on the hose is when we shower Willoughby, and he is going to have his own shower head downstairs in the carriage house).

I am still not quite sure whether to go for cross-head taps (above) or levers (below) Both have their own distinctive style.

One thing is for sure, we will not be having an i-Tap...

Body Jets...

The idea of water flying at one from all directions may not be everybody's cup of tea, but as one who suffers from muscle aches it sounds very appealing...

  

I have designed the posterior wall of the shower room to have a marble bench with 6 directional body jets at custom measured heights. After a hard day One can sit on the bench and relax...

I am concerned about how much water we might churn through...

There are a variety of body jets on the market, ranging from ones which are almost like wall mounted shower heads (above) to ones which are flush to the wall like Kohler's (below). We have gone for the Kohler ones.

I take it back, maybe not water from all directions...

To top it off there is also a waterfall spout above the bench for an added je ne sais quoi.

Now I'm really worried about the water usage!

Below: Bench, Body jets and high shelving.

Finally there needs to be somewhere to store One's grooming products. I don't like those little baskets which hang from the shower and invariably tip over if the products are not balanced correctly. Much nicer to have glass shelves recessed into the marble walls...

The end result of the bath and shower planning...

Bathroom Waterworks 1: Baths and Basins...

One of the more fun jobs recently has been to start to choose tap fittings for WBP. We have been looking at Perrin and Rowe, and English plumbing firm, based in Mayfair, London. Their taps come in a variety of finishes. We have chosen chrome for the kitchen and gold for most of the bathrooms.

We are having these taps in the bath rooms, but with levers...

The levers will be easier to clean, and easier to use if we get arthritis in our dotage!

I do like the wall mounted option too...

Above and Below: The sort of 'Vanity-Tap-Mirror-Sconce' ensemble we have planned for the guest bathrooms and public loos.

In doing our research about P&R we were amazed at the number of hotels around the world which have recently refurbished their bathrooms with Perrin and Rowe...

For the master bath we had a hard time deciding between the aesthetics of a simple wall spout...

which would come out of a marble splash back, such as in this bathroom...

 or the traditional telephone set up...

Above and below: Options for master bath plumbing (but in gold).

as in these bathrooms...

For the guest bathrooms we are going to have baths with over head showers (to cover for both preferences). We have chosen the 'telephone and trombone' sets below (gold for the Brideshead and Chatsworth suites, and silver for the Blenheim Suite)...

They also have a lovely range of heated towel rails in a variety of finishes to match the taps.

We also looked at  Devon and Devon and LeFroy Brooks. They are both English companies whose classic fittings have a 'steam-punk' edge...

 

as well as Sherle Wagner, purveyors of ornate bathroom fittings. If I had to describe their style I would say they were very 'Norma Desmond'...

P.E. Geurin excels when it comes to hand crafted fittings. You can really tell the difference between their made to order fittings vs mass manufactured, moulded fittings...

 The Parisian firm THG has a Baroque Line too...

  

Parting shot: some more glorious and OTT bathrooms...