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Room Tour: A Calming Bathroom in Tune With Nature
Functional, beautiful and serene, this en suite is both contemporary and connected to the timeless landscape outside
“The natural world is my source of inspiration,” designer Charlotte Findlater says. “As humans, we have a deep-rooted need to commune with the earth, and the feeling that being in nature gives us.” Her design for this serene bathroom in the Lake District perfectly illustrates her point, with its locally sourced natural materials and Cumbrian colour palette.
The couple who own the property searched Houzz for a designer who could restore the whole of their Victorian house sympathetically and liked Charlotte’s vision. “They really believe in our nature-driven biophilic ethos,” she says. “And sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. Everything connects back to that – natural materials, carbon footprint, and really considering why are we putting a particular product into a building.”
To see more great projects where the homeowner found their professional via Houzz, take a look at our Born on Houzz series.
The couple who own the property searched Houzz for a designer who could restore the whole of their Victorian house sympathetically and liked Charlotte’s vision. “They really believe in our nature-driven biophilic ethos,” she says. “And sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. Everything connects back to that – natural materials, carbon footprint, and really considering why are we putting a particular product into a building.”
To see more great projects where the homeowner found their professional via Houzz, take a look at our Born on Houzz series.
Charlotte has incorporated lots of locally sourced materials, from slate tiles to the Roman blind at the window, which is made of wool from Lake District Herdwick sheep. “As much as we can, we source local and try to reflect the building into its natural locale,” she says.
The insulation throughout the building is sheep’s wool. “It’s so good for health – for the owners, but also the team working on the room,” Charlotte says. The sash windows have been replaced like for like, but are now more insulated.
Shower, Crosswater.
The insulation throughout the building is sheep’s wool. “It’s so good for health – for the owners, but also the team working on the room,” Charlotte says. The sash windows have been replaced like for like, but are now more insulated.
Shower, Crosswater.
The bathroom seen from the adjoining bedroom before Charlotte worked her magic.
Find a pro to steer your renovation in the Houzz Professionals Directory and see photos of their previous work.
Find a pro to steer your renovation in the Houzz Professionals Directory and see photos of their previous work.
There were lots of architectural features still in place in the house, including this panelling, now restored. “We’ve replicated where things were too damaged,” Charlotte says, “but there’s a lot of original panelling in the building and this is the repaired original.”
The reclaimed bench is made from whisky barrel staves.
The reclaimed bench is made from whisky barrel staves.
The couple wanted a walk-in shower and this luxurious, roomy cubicle is both calming and a wow feature. The slate, which also covers the under-heated floor, is from nearby Kendal.
The LED light around the mirror can be switched on from the doorway for a gentle light at night-time. “Sometimes when you walk into a room in the middle of the night, it’s nice not to have a glaring light on,” Charlotte says.
Keen to consider the circular economy, Charlotte sourced downlights whose component parts can be used again and again. “We try to consider how things can be reused in the future,” she says.
Downlights, Orluna. Slate, Pure Stone.
The LED light around the mirror can be switched on from the doorway for a gentle light at night-time. “Sometimes when you walk into a room in the middle of the night, it’s nice not to have a glaring light on,” Charlotte says.
Keen to consider the circular economy, Charlotte sourced downlights whose component parts can be used again and again. “We try to consider how things can be reused in the future,” she says.
Downlights, Orluna. Slate, Pure Stone.
Down the side of the shower nearest to the door and opposite the bench, Charlotte designed in a shelving unit for plants, ceramics and towels. The oak links to the vanity unit.
“You can take a moment and show off some lovely ceramics and plants,” she says, “and the space can be curated to look different.”
“You can take a moment and show off some lovely ceramics and plants,” she says, “and the space can be curated to look different.”
The shower enclosure nicely hides the loo from immediate view. “I don’t like to walk in and see the toilet,” Charlotte says. “I designed a big alcove for the shower and that allowed me to create a private area.”
The artwork of a lake by Joanna Farrow connects with the abundant water in the surrounding area.
Toilet, Crosswater.
The artwork of a lake by Joanna Farrow connects with the abundant water in the surrounding area.
Toilet, Crosswater.
The vanity unit is oak veneer, with a slate splashback added by Charlotte. “The whole ethos of this bathroom is to evoke the feeling of the woods around the house within this space,” she says.
Glide II vanity unit, Crosswater.
Glide II vanity unit, Crosswater.
Green is a thread running throughout the home and Charlotte has used a deep shade of minimal-VOC paint on all the walls in the en suite. “It’s very absorbing – you really do feel as if you’re in the forest,” she says. “The colour green has so many therapeutic benefits. So many people have said the room feels calm.”
The wicker basket adds another note of natural texture. “That was handmade by women [refugees] in Vietnam,” Charlotte says. “We like to give back through the business and it’s also supporting keeping crafts alive.”
Walls painted in Goujon Vert, Fenwick & Tilbrook. Basket, Made51.org.
More: 17 Green-tiled Bathrooms to Inspire Your Own Makeover
The wicker basket adds another note of natural texture. “That was handmade by women [refugees] in Vietnam,” Charlotte says. “We like to give back through the business and it’s also supporting keeping crafts alive.”
Walls painted in Goujon Vert, Fenwick & Tilbrook. Basket, Made51.org.
More: 17 Green-tiled Bathrooms to Inspire Your Own Makeover
There’s a towel radiator (just seen in the mirror) inside the door. Charlotte chose black to work with the shower screen and tapware.
Charlotte has brought houseplants into the room, including this peace lily – one of the best plants for removing toxins from the air. “We’re so disconnected from nature, so I like to connect that back at every opportunity,” she says.
The room now feels very sanctuary-like and, not surprisingly, Charlotte says, “The clients are blown away.”
Tell us…
What do you like about Charlotte’s design for this room? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
The room now feels very sanctuary-like and, not surprisingly, Charlotte says, “The clients are blown away.”
Tell us…
What do you like about Charlotte’s design for this room? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
Who lives here? A couple with three young adult children who visit frequently
Location Ambleside, Cumbria
Property A Victorian villa
Bathroom dimensions 13ft x 10ft into the bay window
Project year 2022
Designer Charlotte Findlater
Photos by Steven Barber
Charlotte’s clients asked for an en suite bathroom that was well-functioning and had a spa feel, but was also sympathetic to the old building. “We wanted to evoke the natural world, but in a minimalist way – we tried to not put too much into the room,” Charlotte says.
“All these colours and materials connect the space back to nature,” she says. “The colours are right outside the window, so it’s really a reflection of outside inside.”