We talk to the homeowner of this luxury ensuite design, who reveals how a strong list of must-haves brought the space to life…
Super-small and neglected, the ensuite in Ian and Lana Giles’ old bedroom begged for some love. The married couple have lived in their 45-year-old home in West Norfolk, England, for just over two years, and have already refurbished parts of it and extended it by a further 1000 sq ft to the east side.
The plans
“We wanted to include a split-level combined dressing room, bedroom and bathroom on the first floor, with a gym and garage on the ground floor,” says freelance property designer and developer Ian, who led the renovation.
He explains their previous ensuite was tiny, consisting of the “smallest shower cubicle that I could not even turn around in”, a tiny sink and immersion cylinder. Everything was poorly fitted with plastic, stick-on wall tiles and leaky plumbing.
Naturally, Ian decided to change it. “When I look at a space, I can see what would make it better suit us and our lifestyle, including the ideal feng shui with the least amount of disruption,” he says.
The ensuite design
And so, he set out to create their dream ensuite: a luxury, timeless living space where all elements would flow well together and where the countryside surroundings would be reflected in the interiors.
“I didn’t want something that you see in every catalogue or online showroom. The intended vibe was luxury, relaxation, convenience and colour. Among our must-haves were the gable window, double shower, bath and double vanity.”
While the bedroom and dressing room changed positions during the entire process, the bathroom was always designed to be at the end of the room, with the gable window being the focal point. Ian didn’t want to isolate the ensuite, but rather make it part of the overall flow, with plenty of natural light flooding in. “The best way to feature the gable window was to allow glimpses of it through the top of the wall and the custom glass side panel.”
Then, he looked for the largest bath he could find which would both fit the space and accommodate two people comfortably. BC Designs’ Kurv bath fit the bill, with a whooping 189 x 90cm size and a curvy shape, made from a non-porous, durable material. For the ensuite tiles, Ian chose onyx-effect porcelain in a striking turquoise hue.
“The black, white and brown veins running through the onyx give it moments of change to blue and grey depending on the angle of light,” he says.
Challenges
The project wasn’t without its difficulty, as the collaboration with Ian’s initial builder fell through, which meant he had to take over entirely. “Not ideal as I wanted a break from all the physical work. Expect the unexpected!” Still, everything worked out for the best, and the couple is over the moon with their new space. “It’s exactly what I imagined,” says Ian.
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