ON THE PANEL Concrete bathroom wall and floor panels were designed and made bespoke for homeowners Paul and Tim Concrete VISION Designing his own luxurious master bedroom and bathroom, complete with walk-through closet, was a good day at the office for homeowner Paul PICTURES PAUL CRAIG I WORDS CIARA ELLIOT IN THE CURVE The gentle shapes of the Il Bagno Alessi One basins add a sense of softness to the architectural space 138 ekbbmagazine.co.uk EKBB May 2017 139
CLEAN LINES The dark and dramatic industrial bathroom features an MEM wallmounted rain shower by Dornbracht PARED-BACK PURITY Above The simple globular pendants add to the minimalist feel ROUGH LUXE Above right Padded upholstered doors create the bridge from washing to dressing T o say that photographer Paul Craig has seen a fair share of beautiful houses is probably an understatement. Having worked for top-end designers, furniture companies and magazines for most of his working life, he s been so utterly immersed in the beautiful world of interiors that when it came to doing up his own three-storey, five bedroom home, the only problem was where to start. Luckily, I m very specific about what I like, says Paul. Originally this space was two bedrooms but we wanted a walk-in wardrobe, and also to be able to stroll in from the bedroom, to the wardrobe and then to the bathroom. It was a challenge to make it flow for us. We did sacrifice with bedroom space to achieve a walk-in closet this size but it was a good compromise. I wouldn t change anything. A chance conversation with a builder meant that Paul and his solicitor husband Tim Dawson found the right carpenter, who was then able to create the hotel chic vibe that they d been visualising for the wardrobe. The idea for these sleek wardrobes came from our friend who owns the tailoring place, Norton Townsend, explains Paul. We are into bespoke suits and jackets and wanted to show off our best clothes. The inspiration is definitely from a high-end shop and it looks like one but bespoke tailoring is a big thing for us. When it came to the bathroom and bedroom, the couple wanted to create distinctive rooms that connected beautifully to the walk-through wardrobe, but that also felt unique in themselves. Inspired by visits to favourite hotels and restaurants including The Ranch at Rock Creek in Montana and the Corinthia hotel in London, the idea was to bring some of that cool, laidback, cosmopolitan feel to the space. We both like clean lines and we are not into fancy frou-frou. With these inter-connecting rooms, I had in mind a highend hotel of the cosiest kind. We both loved the idea of dark, rich colours in the bedroom, with the luxe silky fabric doors, and then into a streamlined closet space and into the bathroom which has a lot more of a stark industrial vibe, while still maintaining that spacious, luxurious feel. Mission accomplished, and what is Paul s favourite element of the three rooms? The wardrobe is just amazing. I love the drama of it all. ekbb 140 ekbbmagazine.co.uk EKBB May 2017 141
BOUTIQUE CHIC Above and left The design of the fitted wardrobes with exposed walnut shelving has been inspired by the idea of an old fashioned gentleman s tailor CURIOSITY CABINET Below Here is a selection of personal items the couple have on show, including a camera that was given to Paul by his grandfather. It was presented in the glass dome LET IN THE LIGHT Layered gallery style lighting is achieved with LED tape lighting around the back of the cupboards and hanging pendants PAUL CRAIG DESIGNER AND HOMEOWNER Qa & Can you explain the layout? Although we essentially ripped down the house and started afresh, there was a problem with the shape of the bedroom we really wanted. Originally the space was two bedrooms but we knew we wanted a walk-in wardrobe, but we wanted to walk in from the bedroom then to the wardrobe and then to the bathroom. At that point the position of the doors and stairs was impossible. It was a challenge to make it flow for us, but we are really happy with how it looks now. And the colours and materials? I love dark, rich colours with luxe silky fabrics and we chose dark blue because it creates that lovely cocooning feel it s a really relaxing and sleepy colour. I was really nervous at first to paint right up to the ceiling and it was a big decision but it really works and I think it looks great. Tell us about the bathroom. We wanted to make it feel completely different from the bedroom so went for an industrial vibe with concrete walls. The metal wardrobe doors and pendants carry through this stripped back feel. The idea was for a masculine space with an edgy touch. It also had to be a practical place as well, where you shower and shave and feel luxurious too. How would you describe your décor style? I like luxe touches and bold elements. Hotel chic, but masculine and no fuss. We did sacrifice bedroom space to achieve a walk-in closet but it was a good compromise. I wouldn t change a thing 142 ekbbmagazine.co.uk EKBB May 2017 143
ALL IN THE DETAILS The simple but stunning pendants are by Bert Frank, and the bespoke bedside cabinet is by Sixninethree BEHIND CLOSED DOORS A luxuriously upholstered door opens to the glamorous walk-in wardrobe area I love dark, rich colours with silky fabrics. We chose dark blue because it creates that lovely cocooning feel it s a really relaxing and sleepy colour Design Details RIPPLES 88 Whiteladies Road, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 2QN. Tel 0117 973 1144. ripplesbathrooms.com ANDWOODCRAFT Arch 539, Orphans Yard, Brixton Station Road, SW9 QBH. Tel 079 44889 175. andwoodcraft.co.uk GILDED EXTRAS Subtle lighting details from Bert Frank and French Connection, as well as Pols Potten golden stools from Amara set off the dark walls perfectly. The coloured bottles on the mantlepiece are from a collection of presents and holiday mementos that have been amassed through the years 144 ekbbmagazine.co.uk EKBB May 2017 145
I was really nervous at first to paint right up to the ceiling. It was a big decision but it really works and looks great Stockists FIXTURES AND FURNISHINGS BEDROOM: Leo bed, from around 23,000, Savoir Beds. Selection of bedding, starts from 60, Ralph Lauren. Grand lampshade, 80, Habitat. Cask pendants, 282 each; Revolve table lamp in brass black and gold, 655, Bert Frank. Large glass table lamp, 115, French Connection. Bespoke bedside cabinet, price on request, Sixninethree. Bespoke T-shaped table made by And Woodraft, price on request, pull bar handle, 38, Buster + Punch. Pols Potten Dot stool, 163, Amara. Walls are painted in Hicks Blue absolute matt emulsion, 21 per 1L by Little Greene. The wardrobe is fitted by And Woodcraft, with lighting by Hector Finch. BATHROOM: Basins are Il Bagno Alessi One by Stefano Giovannoni, around 1,400 each; Alessi Egg WC, around 1,027; Dornbracht MEM overhead rain shower, from 1,090; Dornbracht MEM wall-mounted mixers, from 811; Dornbracht MEM towel bar, 334; Dornbracht Tara soap dispenser, 322, all from Ripples. Globe pendants, 128 each, Hector Finch. Glass shower panel, Osborn Glass. Full height shutters, prices on request, Plantation Shutters. Concrete walls, Ivanka; White gold lily candle, 32, Gingerlily; Range of HAY planters, start from 10, Amara. FOR STOCKISTS, SEE PAGE 180 ALL IS CALM The deep luxurious blue of all four bedroom walls create a cosy atmosphere. It is painted in Hicks Blue absolute matt emulsion by Little Greene 146 ekbbmagazine.co.uk