W L Indulgent Spaces

Our Crescent Beach house project's principle bathroom as featured in Western Living Magazine.  The generous space opens on to an equally generous private terrace.

Function is Luxury

Dundarave en suite, hinged mirror cabinets for a 360 view

Whenever I consider (or am asked) what are our interiors project must haves (?),  the reply is never specific elements, but rather specific functions.  For me if it isn't functional, it's broken.  The bathroom is certainly one of the rooms where function is central to it's success.   We have a long list of must haves for this room.   But foremost on that list, is really good lighting!  I quite literally think of the vanity + mirror as a work station, which requires perfect task lighting.  The key illumination is diffused side lighting (mounted at head level), other sources can be a mix of direct and indirect and all of them need to be controllable (on dimmers).   Images included here are from various RBI projects.   

"There is one fundamental fact about lighting, where there is no light, there is no beauty." Billy Baldwin.         

Two sides of our Fairview penthouse principal bath

Open plan in our Silver Sea en suite with hinged Agape mirror back lit

Separate + equal in our Naramata en suite with side lit mirrored cabinets

Various RBI projects with controllable task lighting 

Pas de Deux

There are a multitude of design decisions required in the forming of a great bathroom.  Perhaps it is the scale of this room which demands such a heightened process and attention to detail, constituting one of my favourite design exercises.  In this shared master bath we strove to achieve a harmony in performance.  Balancing material, form and appliance, to create a functional space for two, that is also a beautiful retreat.  The bathroom is part of an extensive (gut) renovation to a heritage home, where we created new classic spaces to demonstrate a notion about time-honored quality and style.

The large format limestone tile anchors and bookends all white fixtures and cabinets, imparting warmth to the minimalist geometry.  A series of Vistosi spun glass wall fixtures add beauty light, and a glamourous gesture.

'The basic rules of proportion and scale are unchanging.  They are reinterpreted according to the needs of the time.  I like simplicity and I believe in restraint.  Above all, there should be harmony-of proportion, line, colour, and feeling.  The most important element in decorating is the relationship between objects-in size, form, texture, colour and meaning.  None of these is in good taste in itself but only in relationship to where it has been placed and what purpose it is to serve.'  Eleanor McMillen Brown.  The legendary interior designer's contribution is documented in the book Sixty years of interior design; the world of McMillen.

Overt

When thoroughly renovating this apartment, one of our objectives was to give a greater sense of space to the rooms.  The original conventional master bath/bedroom layout was redesigned to be shown more openly.  Removing partitions that separated these spaces broadened the way each is perceived.  Only the shower and toilet are more private, separated by a sliding glass panel.  The bathroom has a lightness of being and effortless elegance, that allows it to connect harmoniously to the bedroom.  We're just putting the final touches on this home and will have more to show soon.

Walnut flooring continues from the bedroom area.  All plumbing fittings are Dornbracht.  Wall scones by  Prandia.  Agape Narciso adjustable mirror. Custom white lacquer vanity with calacatta marble counter top. A Gerhard Richter hangs over the free standing stone bathtub and is reflected in a white glass overlaid wall.

Material Matters

The application of natural marble material to interior surfaces gives a strong sense of permanence, and each application is as individual as the stone it was quarried from.  The inner beauty of marble is a continual source of wonder.  Once cut from the earth each veneer is a one of a kind 'work of art'.        

When specifying stone we tend to opt for more sober selections, after all it's a (very) long term decision (could be a lifetime).  In addition it is imperative for us to individually select the slabs for every project, and equally, to engage the services of an expert fabricator/installer.  If you're building for keeps, god really should be in the details.

Sequence cut marble slabs, as seen in the warehouse of Bordigon Marble and Granite, Vancouver, British Columbia.

Everyday

The bathroom of today has evolved dramatically over the years, with greater attention given to the ease and pleasure of use. Getting all the basics right creates a foundation and functionality, that assists in living well with comfort.  To get through our daily grooming rituals having everything within reach is vital.  We used full height (side loading) pull out towers in this master bath, so products and appliances are convenient while counters stay clutter free.  Mirrors with wrap around task lighting have the bonus of an integrated TV at the primary vanity; from Electric Mirror.

There's a separate (sit down) make up area, again with flawless lighting. The large steam shower is fitted with compulsory rain head and hand held shower wands.  All plumbing fittings and bathroom accessories are from Gessi.  Washbasins by Flaminia, tub and toilet by Duravit.  A finish vocabulary that includes french limestone and custom stained ash cabinets makes this room, handsome everyday utility.

Purposeful Embellishment

Beautifully curated accessories can transform a room, they add detail, scale and personality. The stuff that surrounds us is an expression of our point of view.  One of the most remarkable sources for artisan created, home embellishments and accessories is Provide Home. Robert and David, owners and editors of the collections, have changed the face of home decor in Vancouver.  They continually seek out new and fresh innovators, to compliment their solid collections of contemporary home wares. 

Recently Provide has added bathroom accessories to their collections. These beautiful forms in marble, porcelain and lacquer,  perfectly befit the luxurious rooms they were designed to function in.  
Follow Provide's blog Edit, to see their latest finds from around the globe and right here at home.

Oasis

My favorite private spaces exude a sense of peace + calm, like a deep exhale they transport you to a place of stillness.  One such project we worked on, located in a re-purposed London Mews house, is for me the embodiment of this sort of sanctuary.   The principal bedroom, and adjacent suite of rooms is exemplar, in it's understated language. Tucked under a mansard roof these quarters seem almost veiled;  do in part to the wonderful quality of light and a monochromatic material selection.   

In the bath lounge (above), a sky roof floods the room with filtered light, and large glass doors  open onto a private terrace amongst the rooftops.  The bathtub takes centre stage, while two chaise lounge afford conversation, the Sunday paper or an unscheduled nap.  A perfect oasis before or after a hurried day in this energetic city. Furnished with custom designed case and soft pieces,  Christian Liaigre lamps, tea tables by Ceccotti.  I might just clear my agenda and stay in for the day.

Surface

Designed to be experienced both visually, and by touch, the tactile quality of these ceramic walls belies their medium.  Soft edges and gentle curves in this basket weave paving, by ceramic artist Andy Blick, bring the quality of fabric to the material.  The custom colour, matt glaze further contributes to it's softness.  We accented the reserved texture with spot lighting set in deep coves, which bathes the walls accentuating delicate shadows.  Andy Blick's engaging creations were specified here in a master bath (basket weave above), and several guest baths (below), giving hard surface a whole new meaning.

The Plan's the Thing

When I approach a new project, armed with our client's wish list and functional requirements, everything starts with the plan.  I try to work from a place without preconceptions, letting the program inform the space with meaning.  Design enrichment's follow this form as it reveals it's self, and a fully resolved plan manifests into a concept.   Planning provides the foundation of an intelligent three dimensional intention.  

Given an existing master bathroom with defined peripheries (6 feet by 16 feet), we were asked to expand the functionality and render it in an elegant veneer.  Rethinking the progression of activities, allowed for an expanded shower (wet room), separate toilet room, adding a make-up vanity plus a second sink.  A limited material vocabulary that is simply detailed, unifies and expands the space.

All things considered luxury is not about scale, but comfort and ease.