When a client asked us to transform this bathroom, the brief was clear: create the feeling of a high-end boutique hotel bathroom, with a sense of luxury, calm and understated sophistication.

The challenge was to achieve that level of finish while making the most of the proportions and practical requirements of the space. The result is a carefully considered bathroom where dramatic stone-effect surfaces, warm timber tones, integrated lighting and concealed storage work together to create a sleek and highly luxurious interior.

Making a statement with large-format tiles

One of the defining features of the room is the dramatic marble-effect wall finish.

Although it has the appearance of luxurious natural marble, the walls are actually finished using huge-format porcelain tiles. Choosing large tiles was particularly important in this space. With fewer grout lines, the beautiful veining can flow uninterrupted across the walls, creating the impression of one continuous slab of stone.

The scale of the tiles also helps the room feel more expansive and refined, while offering the practical benefits of a hard-wearing, low-maintenance porcelain surface.

The bold black and grey veining against the soft white background provides the perfect foundation for the rest of the scheme.

Creating space for the details

The vast size and layout of the bathroom presented an interesting design challenge. Rather than simply working within the existing walls, we introduced carefully positioned stud walls to create additional depth. This allowed us to incorporate one of the key features of the design: full-length recessed shelves and hidden storage, integrated directly into the walls.

The shelves run elegantly through the marble-effect surfaces, providing practical storage without introducing bulky furniture or wall-mounted accessories. Discreet LED lighting within the recesses brings another layer of luxury, washing the shelves with a soft glow and highlighting the dramatic tile veining.

It is a great example of how a small amount of architectural intervention can completely transform the functionality and appearance of a room.

Warm timber for balance

To soften the monochromatic stone palette, we introduced rich wood-effect wall panels.

The timber tones bring warmth and contrast to the otherwise cool white and grey scheme, preventing the bathroom from feeling overly clinical. They also complement the black hardware and fittings, creating a sophisticated palette of warm timber, crisp white, dramatic veining and deep black accents. But these walls aren't simply decorative.

Behind the wood-effect panels are concealed cupboards, allowing everyday bathroom storage to disappear completely from view. By integrating the storage into the architecture, we were able to maintain a clean, uninterrupted appearance throughout the room. Everything has its place, while very little is on show.

Lighting that creates atmosphere

Lighting plays a crucial role in achieving the desired hotel-inspired atmosphere.

Rather than flooding the bathroom with uniform light, we introduced layers of illumination. The LED-lit recessed shelves create a gentle ambient glow, while carefully positioned ceiling lighting provides the practical illumination required for everyday use. The illuminated mirror adds another architectural element, creating a crisp frame of light from behind the recessed mirror and the bespoke vanity.

Together, these different sources of light allow the mood of the room to change throughout the day - from bright and functional in the morning to softer and more atmospheric in the evening.

The luxury of simplicity

The vanity was designed to complement the architecture rather than compete with it. Its warm timber finish echoes the concealed storage walls, while the clean white countertop and twin basins provide a crisp contrast.

Black wall-mounted taps and fittings add definition and tie the various elements of the scheme together.

The freestanding bath becomes a focal point in its own right, positioned against the dramatic tilework and styled with simple, carefully selected accessories.

The overall effect is intentionally uncluttered. Luxury here comes from proportion, material selection, detailing and craftsmanship, rather than an abundance of decorative elements.

A hotel bathroom, but at home

The client's vision for a luxury hotel bathroom has been translated into a space that feels polished and indulgent, but still personal and practical.

From the oversized porcelain tiles and illuminated recessed shelving to the concealed cupboards and warm timber detailing, every element has been considered to create a sense of effortless sophistication.

The finished bathroom demonstrates what can be achieved when practical requirements are treated as opportunities for design. Storage becomes part of the architecture. Stud walls create opportunities for beautiful recessed features. Porcelain becomes a dramatic stone-like backdrop. And carefully considered lighting turns a functional bathroom into a genuinely relaxing space.

A private boutique hotel experience, designed specifically for the home.