DESCRIBE THE ORIGINAL SPACE
It was an extension built on top of a flat roof area over the entrance to Isabel and Robert Wi|son’s Victorian home in Chelsea. They wanted extra bathroom facilities for their two daughters, so architect Mark Hillier created this long extension to be used as a shower room.
WHAT WAS THE CLIENTS’ BRIEF?
Thankfully, they understood a bath was out of the question but wanted the slim room to look as spacious as possible and to use beautiful materials. Mark specified a large skylight at one end, which floods the space with light, and there was already a small window at the other end sol was lucky in terms of light, if not space.
HOW DID YOU PLAN THE LAYOUT?
The position of both the window and the skylight determined the layout; it made sense to have the shower under the skylight where the girls can enjoy sunshine in the morning or starry skies at night. The loo sits under the small window opposite, leaving space for a narrow-depth trough basin on one side, with adequate room to manoeuvre.
WHAT MATERIALS DID YOU CHOOSE?
l believe it is important to limit the themes under one roof. Limestone has been used in the main en-suite
bathroom, which Isabel loves and, as I like to keep things simple, l decided to explore other ways to use the material in the shower room. We chose rough-hewn limestone for part of the walls, polished limestone for the floor and basin, and polished plaster on two sides of the shower area. The latter was completed by an excellent specialist plasterer and looks very much like limestone but provides a seamless finish.
WHAT WAS YOUR MAIN CHALLENGE?
Achieving the right proportions was key to making this space work and it does pay to take care of the smallest details. For example, there are eight uniformly sized slabs of limestone running the length of the floor. Half or quarter tiles would have been instantly noticeable, so the measurements had to be precise.
WHAT ABOUT THE DESIGN’S FINISHING TOUCHES?
The Lutron lighting system definitely plays an important part in this scheme, as it allows for the creation of different mood settings by day and night. The downlights on the walls are particularly effective as they highlight the texture of the limestone and bring it to life.
ARE THERE ANY ADDITIONAL FAVOURITE FEATURES?
Isabel felt that a heated towel rail would have been a visual distraction here and that in such a narrow space it may have been too imposing. instead, we heated a section of the wall using underfloor heating pads behind the plaster, and the towels now hang to dry from discreet stainless-steel pegs.
HOW EASY IS IT TO MAINTAIN?
Since everything in the room is fully tanked, all surfaces are mop friendly and there is nowhere to harbour dust. The edges of the limestone tiles were all pre-sealed prior to installation, after which an additional three coats of sealer were applied in situ. And, one year after fitting, the finish is still in pristine condition.
WHAT IS THE KEY TO THIS BATHROOM’S SUCCESS?
My vision for this narrow space was to create an aesthetically pleasing solution, giving it a feeling of generosity. By exploring the use of limestone and its different textures and finishes, we have created an overall look that combines
simplicity and functionality.