Today, in the hands of the modern design professional, the once neglected corner of the home has been transformed into a spa-like retreat or super luxe suite. The pampered bathing is not just about high-end fixtures, sink-in tubs and showers that soak you in a stream of light and colour — it is about design acumen and the material interplay that the designers use to create this relaxing cocoon. We roped-in five top class design firms to share their latest creations… each one here is dipped in heavenly luxury.
Annkur Khosla Design Studio
Exquisite Italian marble and black Brazilian gold floor creates the shell of this impressive bathroom Annkur created for a Bangalore home. The sculptural black granite washbasin has been hand-carved and goes well with the fantastic Jeeves & Wooster Hat Light suspended from the ceiling. Interestingly, the mirror is integrated in the sliding window which overlooks the courtyard beyond. Being next to the courtyard, and to bring the outdoors in, the architect introduced a dry landscape feature with polished granite pebbles.Everything is natural and earthy in this calming bathroom which sees sand-blasted Jaisalmer gold on the walls and polished Jaisalmer on the floor and the counter top. A bespoke vanity counter here flaunts beautiful printed motifs and enhances to the royal feel of the bathroom. A lavish jacuzzi is set on a elevated platform and is bathed in warm light from the dome-shaped Flos chandelier. A Yusuf Arakkal painting completes the look.Annkur says, “Material change and design planning can alter the experience of a space.†And this bathroom is a perfect example. Teamed with the beige agglomerate marble flooring, the beautiful Spanish printed tiles catches your attention the moment you enter this space. The marble is extended to the counter top of the vanity which holds twin wash basins from Kohler. This minimal bathroom also had sleek glass shutter wardrobes from Nolte.
Essentia EnvironmentsÂ
A bathroom which can easily pass off as a living room of a house… this one is designed for a family in Gurgaon. An extensive walk-in wardrobe leads to this bathroom with a large shower enclosure. Here, the floors and walls are draped in Grey William Italian marble and sees treated hardwood on the countertop with a lacquered floating vanity for company. The Buddha, the blue bench and the clock has also been specially sourced by the team for this house.A bachelor’s bathroom, this one is sans a conventional door — slip glass (which can become opaque with the slightest touch) is a wall between the bedroom and the bath. A black theme runs through this space with Versace tiles on the floor and wall, with quartz (on the counter top and back of the water closet), to break the monotony.
This gorgeous master bathroom for a couple in Gurgaon has the luxury of a calming vertical garden in the courtyard running next to it; and a beautiful lake beyond it. The flooring here is stautario marble with deck flooring in the courtyard and veneer and composite stautario on the counter top. If you note the vanity it would seem almost floating… it is created from marine ply and topped with lacquer. As the couple likes to spend a lot of time in this relaxing bathroom, a mirror television is set next to the large mirror which runs alongside the vanity. The shower area is spacious and sees leather-finished grey marble flooring.
Pinakin LLPÂ
This master bathroom of a luxurious and beautifully-crafted Delhi home flaunts some exquisite materials. The bespoke lacquered black vanity is set against a large mirror which gives the space a grander feel. A free-standing bathtub is set against an intricately carved jaali-patterned screen and is bathed in warm light from the antique chandelier. Italian marble on the floor coupled with the warm wooden panelling make this a glamourous room.Also part of the Delhi house, this powder bathroom will leave anyone awe-struck. A beautiful collection of colourful handmade ceramic plates are strewn across a red laminated door which opens up to the powder room. Rich silk ties, lined up on a rod create drama and provide an element of surprise. You can’t miss the face of Napolean created out of mosaic tiles reflected on the mirror. Lastly, the stand-alone floor wash basin and the unusual suspended lights make this powder room a ravishing one.
Extravagant, generous and gorgeous… this master bathroom for a Mumbai residence belongs to a young owner in his late 20’s. Hence, the architects decided to create a lavish, dynamic and sporty private space. The most striking and unifying element of this large bathroom is the Bisazza floor — an unusual premium pattern in a black and white hue. Ample storage is provided in the white lacquered vanity which is neatly set against a large mirror which runs along this furniture piece. Complementing the vanity is the white marble counter top for the twin basins from Gessi. The shower cubicle has Greek Thassos marble walls and is set next to the relaxing jacuzzi which affords views of the expansive ocean and palm trees. If one is not gazing at the sea, then the lovely Flos Skygarden ceiling lamp is a deserving substitute. To add more wow-factor, the architects brought in a stunning Dolphin sculpture from New York which is made entirely from metal scraps. Then, there is also the impressive Dipoli White side table crafted in ceramic from the famous Andrew Martin.
The Orange LaneÂ
The design philosophy followed in the bathrooms of this Mumbai bungalow was to seamlessly weave the washrooms in the same design fabric as the house. Hence, the use of ethnic wall niches, painted shutters, Gaudi- inspired ceiling treatments, and artwork in the washrooms can be seen in them… all contribute to elevating the space. Seen here is the powder bathroom with niches that have dual purpose — of storage as well as lighting. The impressions on the storage shutters have been carved onto white painted plywood and have been embedded in a marble counter. The impressions on the wall are done on plaster of Paris. The framed art work and towel holders all work as a team to keep the concept intact. The powder room had egg white finished clean walls and brightly coloured stained glass windows that adds a pop of colour.
Shabnam says, “There is a lot more to washrooms than being a space that houses a water closet and wash basin. What excites is the challenge that is to transfer space that is predominantly functional into a space that exuberates leisure and ease. To achieve this through design is what excites me as a designer.†Therefore, in this master bathroom we see some interestingly play of materials, accessories and furniture. The grey marble flooring is offset with brightly coloured painted shutters and green distressed furniture to go with it. The wall niche used as shelves/storage is something ancient Indians have used in forts and homes. The jalli work painted on the storage shutters complements the beauty of the niches. The walls have been treated with marble and ethnic accessories.
For Sagar Villa the client being a landscape designer by profession, one of the parameters kept in mind while designing was the aspect of the colour green. It can be witnessed in the guest bathroom which follows shades of sea green rough finish stones for walls. This contrasts well with the green granite (counter top) and slate flooring for the shower area. The granite counter is divided into two parts — the area below the sink is enclosed with hand-painted wooden shutters, while the other has open niches.
ZZ ArchitectsÂ
Designed for a contemporary duplex penthouse in Mumbai, this bathroom has been designed in subtle white tones to make the space look larger and clutter-free. Italian statuario marble is used on the floors and walls, with the detailing of blue sodalite marble in the shower and basin area, and the dark veneer on the ceiling and doors to break the monotony. The storage cabinets are finished in lacquer and the basin counter is detailed and appears to be floating. Large peripheral windows provide a panoramic view of the city’s skyline and allow natural light to filter into the space thereby enhancing the overall look of the bathroom.
This bathroom for a Mumbai client complements the white Italian marble of the rest of the house and is done in a softer beige tone marble with a striking mosaic pattern (from Sicis), which runs above the eye level. The soak tub (from Kaesch) gives you an infinity feel as it fills up to the rim. The mosaic pattern forms a stark backdrop to the privately cornered tub area. A grab bar makes it practical for the user to use the tub comfortably. The large mirror above the counter adds depth to the bathroom, while soft lighting renders a warm glow.
Created for a teenage girl, this bathroom is colourful and full of life. The architects wanted the space to flow freely like a young mind; therefore, there are more fluid surfaces. The requirement to have a separate shower space and an additional area where one can soak their feet and use as an alternative shower once in a while led them to craft a customized civil partition with a circular cut-out acting as a ledge for keeping products on display. The strong red floral mosaic pattern (from Sicis) floating behind the shower bench is visible from the other areas as well.
