Chic Marble Tiles Add Miles Of Style

May 11 2008 Justin And Colin

FIXTURES AND FITTINGS

Small touches such as taps and light fittings really add to the overall design. Here, the square-cut nature of both is inspired by the Art Deco period but is brought bang up to date thanks to the rest of the contemporary scheme. Try mixing and matching style elements from different periods to create your own look - you really don't have to be a slave to one.

MIRROR MIRROR

Rather than simply hang a framed mirror, we glazed the entire section above the sinks with a mirrored glass. This looks really expensive but doesn't need to be. The good news is that your local glazier will come to your home, measure, cut and hang the mirrored section, leaving you free to gaze lovingly at the results. For advice, visit Forsyth Glazing at www.forsyth-wilton.co.uk

NIGHT ON THE TILES

Our project was inspired by the Amalfi Coast and the grandeur of traditional fivestar hotels. We love our floor-to-ceiling toffee marble. A finish like this looks fantastic and is easy to keep clean, while the waterproof edges fend off spillages and bacteria. Real marble is pricey but such a timeless look is worth the investment.

Emprador wall and floor tiles, £25.97 per square metre from Wickes (www.wickes.co.uk).

STORAGE

We wanted to obscure the WC with a modesty wall. We designed a storage tower from MDF and tiled it to match the wall finish.

Several towel and toiletry storage pockets were created and we even installed a flat screen TV to enjoy while soaking in the tub. Before installing seek advice from a qualified electrician on safe distances between water sources and electrics.

INVISIBLE SHOWER

You barely notice the clear glass box that forms the cubicle. Clear glass always increases the feeling of space in rooms and adds to the sense of cleanliness.

But if you have grubbyfingered kids this may not be for you. You can also buy off-the-shelf enclosures for a fraction of the price of bespoke. We like the Atlas 1700 recess walk-in shower, which costs £499 for the tray and enclosure from Bathstore (www.bathstore.com)

HOME SPA

Bathrooms aren't just about bathing - they are vital for escaping the stresses of daily life. We all need a place where you can relax, indulge and rejuvenate.

Here, we provided double vanity sinks for two-person tooth brushing, a walk-in shower for fast turn around and a huge soaker tub for a long, luxurious bath. If you have space, it's well worth splashing out for every eventuality.