Client testimonial: Elevated en-suite with earthy tones and textures

Family bathroomsModern bathroomsMinimalist bathrooms

16 Jun

When our client Kate set out to renovate her family home in Belsize Park, North West London, she knew the master en-suite deserved careful attention. The property hadn’t been updated in over 30 years, and her vision was to create a space that felt calm, elevated, and timeless.

*Jo, Senior Designer from* *Ripples London, worked with Kate to create a timeless bathroom inspired by a French aesthetic.*

For homeowner Kate, transforming the master en-suite of her London townhouse was about more than simply updating an outdated space — it was about creating a quiet, timeless sanctuary in the heart of a busy family home. The property, located in Belsize Park, hadn’t been renovated for over 30 years, so the bathroom needed a complete overhaul. Kate turned to the team at Ripples London to help bring her vision to life, discovering the showroom just moments from her front door.

“I popped in and was warmly welcomed,” she says. “I didn’t know much about Ripples at first, but once I learned about the design service and saw the range of premium brands they offered, I felt confident they could help me create something special.”

The brief

Kate’s design brief was clear: she wanted a restful and elevated space that leaned classical rather than trendy - a bathroom that would feel elegant today and remain timeless for years to come. A terrazzo floor, inspired by a hotel stay in France, formed the basis of the scheme. From there, she layered in light, neutral finishes and subtle contrast with beautifully crafted bronze fittings. “I was really drawn to bronze from the start,” says Kate. “It feels luxurious but understated. The taps have a lovely weight to them and bring warmth to the whole room.” Jo recommended a vanity top that picked up on the warm tones of the brassware, bringing the whole design together with effortless harmony.

“I love layering natural textures and earthy tones to bring a sense of calm, while ensuring every detail feels thoughtfully considered. It’s all about striking the right balance between beauty and practicality - so my client can enjoy a little everyday luxury, every time she steps inside.”

- Senior Designer, Jo

The layout

The layout of the master en-suite was carefully planned to balance beauty with practicality. A spacious walk-in shower is positioned to offer a clear line of sight to the elegant vanity area, allowing for light and reflections to flow naturally through the room. The bath serves as a striking focal point within the room, framed by shimmering zellige-style tiles that catch the light beautifully, enhanced by carefully positioned LED lighting. A floorstanding bath tap paired with matching crosshead mixers introduces architectural interest and a rich tonal contrast against the lighter backdrop. For added privacy, the WC is tucked away in a separate extension of the space, discreetly concealed behind pocket sliding doors - maintaining a clean, uninterrupted view across the room while offering just the right level of separation.

Thoughtfully placed niches provide discreet storage, keeping surfaces clutter-free while adding subtle design interest. Every element - from the placement of the his and hers basins to the flow between each zone - was designed to enhance both function and the sense of calm Kate wanted to achieve. The result is a bathroom that not only looks refined from every angle, but also works effortlessly for everyday use.

*“Everything feels considered. It’s calm, timeless and exactly how I imagined it. I love that wherever you are in the room, there’s something beautiful to look at - it just works.”*

- Kate, client

The design process

From start to finish, Kate found the experience of working with Ripples to be seamless. “The design process felt more like catching up with a friend over coffee than making a long list of decisions,” she says. “It was enjoyable - and that’s not something you can say about every part of a house renovation.” Find our more about Kate’s experience working with Ripples…

The finishing touches

With the help of Jo, every detail in the master en-suite was considered. Recessed niches provide practical storage without interrupting the flow of the space, and clever mirror placements ensure light bounces around the room - creating what Kate describes as “beautiful views from every angle.” “It’s a room I genuinely enjoy being in every day,” she says. “It feels calm and considered, but also incredibly functional. The whole space just works.”