OWNERS Martin Lodge
LOCATION West Cliff, Bournemouth
BUDGET £25,000
DESIGNER Manuel Quintana at Ripples

THE BRIEF
To re-balance the spatial qualities of a cramped en suite.

DESIGN TIPS
“People often think of walls as the only focus for interest but you should also consider the floors and ceiling if space is tight. Creating extra features helps minimise obvious shortcomings such as the absence of windows,” says designer Manuel Quintana.

When Martin Lodge moved to his Edwardian home in Bournemouth's stylish West Cliff district, the bathroom was the first room on his decorating hit list. Crudely constructed using borrowed space from a bedroom, the room had an uncharacteristically low ceiling and felt both constricted and unwelcoming. Removing the false ceiling revealed an impressively high Edwardian ceiling, but the extra height only served to make the floor space seem smaller and the room more claustrophobic.

Martin called upon Manuel Quintana at Ripples to address the problem. “Manuel's solution was to create a dome, which would reconcile the room's high ceiling with its small size and, with the introduction of clever lighting, give the space bundles of character. It was a stroke of genius,” says Martin.

Now, there are no fewer than 33 lights in his bathroom, set on four circuits to achieve absolute control. Neon lights are concealed in the arc of the domed ceiling, and glass shelving has LEDs incorporated for a space-age look. Standard halogens also “arch” up, in line with the ceiling's curves, to offer vital task lighting. In the shower area, however, low-level halogens create a relaxing ambience that's easy on the eye. “When you are completely exhausted at the end of the day, it's fantastic to have a long shower in low-level light,” comments Martin. Beautiful glass mosaic tiles help to elevate and enhance the arch of the ceiling and naturally draw the eye upwards to appreciate the space. A mix of chrome and pure-white sanitaryware and a designer towel warmer make this a truly sensational bathroom against all the odds.

“The absence of windows is no reason for a bathroom not to be stunning,” says Martin. “In fact, this is my favourite room in my home.”

SOURCEBOOK
Design, Ripples Bournemouth, (01202) 766886, www.ripples.ltd.uk.
Basin and vanity cabinet, Keuco, (01442) 865220, www.keuco.de.
Mosaic tiles and limestone floor, Kirkstone, (01539) 433296, www.kirkstone.com.
Shower screen, Hüppe, (01260) 276188, www.hueppe.net.
Taps, Samuel Heath, (0121) 772 2303, www.samuel-heath.com.
Shower controls, Dornbracht, Ripples, (01202) 766886, www.ripples.ltd.uk.
Towel warmer, Bisque Radiators, (01225) 478500, www.bisque.co.uk.
Wall tiles, Porcelanosa, 0870 224 0245, www.porcelanosa.co.uk.

WORDS LINDA GRABHAM
PHOTOGRAPH DARREN CHUNG
FEBRUARY 2007

For more bathroom ideas and inspiration, take a look at our Essential Guide to Bathrooms