We have seen our cast iron baths in some absolutely stunning luxury bathrooms. But something else has really caught our eye: our cast iron baths installed in bedrooms. No longer the reserve of boutique hotels, baths in bedrooms are a luxurious alternative to an en-suite.
Our attention was particularly drawn to the photographs sent in by Anna Starmer. She has embraced the bath in the bedroom concept to the full in the house she and her husband Iain are renovating. So we asked her to tell us more.
Why did you want a cast iron bath in your bedroom?
I love the fact that I am not in a bathroom when I am in the bath! It seems so much more relaxing to be bathing in the bedroom, and not next to the loo! This was the first room to be completed in the renovation; it has become a real escape from the work going on in the rest of the house. It feels like a secret hotel room at the top of the house.
But is it practical?
Very! There are lots of practical reasons for having a bath in our bedroom, i.e. space and creative design, and lifestyle choice, the view, and being away from the chaos while I’m relaxing. My house is a busy environment and is full of clutter – children, work, books, etc. It became very important to have a still space for Iain and I, where we could relax. There is little more than a bed and a bath in our bedroom. Even the wardrobes and storage are elsewhere.
Tell us about the design of your bed/bathroom.
The bath is in the loft conversion at the top of the house, five floors up. We have amazing views out across Lewes to the South Downs. It is magical in the summer to sit in the bath with all the windows open, listen to the birds singing and watch the sunset over the South Downs National Park.
It’s the perfect shape for housing a bath. The dormer on the back of the eaves is the perfect size for a roll top bath, which sits neatly in the window space. I kept the colours in the room very simple. The walls are in a very delicate tint of white called Piglet, a clay paint from Earthborn. The colour changes and absorbs light throughout the day. All woodwork is painted in Farrow & Ball Dovetail, and the bath is painted in Downpipe, also from Farrow & Ball. We have a white cowhide rug on the floor that protects the oak flooring, and an antique champagne basket for towels.
Anna Starmer is an independent creative director and trend forecaster working with leading fashion and interior brands, including Jaeger, Boden, Marks and Spencer, Monsoon, J Crew, Estee Lauder, Gap and John Lewis.