Open-plan layouts are no longer restricted to just kitchens and living rooms. Here, we show how to extend the concept to bedrooms and en suite bathrooms, to create a spa-style sanctuary

Planning your room
When it comes to open-plan living, layout is the most important consideration. In a sanctuary bedroom, which incorporates a bathing area, each space has to be defined to avoid it feeling cluttered or confused. Placing furniture in clear, functional groups is the most effective way to create rooms within a room. The separate bathing, sleeping and relaxing areas can then be further defined by the selective use of rugs and well-planned lighting. A variety of light sources will allow you to change the ambience. Use directional lights for reading, for example, and table lamps to achieve a more relaxed mood.

Once defined, each space should have its own personality. This can be created with wall coverings and colour-themed accessories. Lighter colours and paler wood will make a room appear more spacious, while furniture upholstered in monochrome neutral hues is less obtrusive and simpler to co-ordinate.

The three-in-one bedroom
This room is a good size with a regular shape, which means it can be divided easily into three clearly delineated sections. The seating and bed areas have been separated from the bathing zone by a simple low wall. This not only gives the bather a degree of privacy, but also ensures that the bathing area feels distinct from the rest of the room without spoiling the overall open-plan feel. The low wall also provides a convenient place to hide the plumbing.

To make the space work as a whole, the decorating scheme needs to run throughout, linking the different “rooms”, otherwise the effect can end up looking disjointed. For this bedroom patterned wallpaper was used on each end wall to create a visual link between the bedroom and bathroom areas. To continue the theme, the wall dividing the seating and bathing zones was painted in a shade to match the wallpaper. In each defined space, touches of neutral, lilac and green have been picked out and used again in accessories and soft furnishings. As a result, the room works as a harmonious whole.

Bed and Malmo bedhead, Oka. Chest of drawers, Nicholas Haslam. Milingimbi chaise longue, Ben Whistler. Manila table in White, K A International. Cushions on chaise in, from left, Brocatelle Ecru F1254/02, viscose mix, 140 cm wide, Designers Guild. Embroidered cushion cover, Soo San. Dufy F5150/01, silk, 133 cm, Osborne & Little. Louis Lyon chair, Louise Bradley. St. Moritz bath and Metro spout and taps, Fired Earth.Quilt, Lombok.

STYLING EMELINE HUDSON
PHOTOGRAPHS SANDRA LANE
MAY 2006