Our Manor House project in Norfolk which we completed In summer 2020 was definitely one of our longest and exciting projects to date. With the pandemic hitting in March 2020, the fit out and installation of the Manor House had been delayed a few times and we waited eagerly for restrictions to lift so we could finalise the fit out. When it finally came to complete the installation it was such a dream come true for team W&M to see it all come to life – especially the Master En-suite bathroom which had been completed transformed into our clients ‘dream bathroom’.
Previously an un-loved room filled with clothes rails and boxes, the space was dark and grey with very little light. Even the 400 year old monks turret at the back of the room was full of boxes and the rooms full potential was not being met. The clients were using the space as a wardrobe but it wasn’t functioning well or aesthetically pleasing.
‘The Manor house has the most stunning original period windows and the new ensuite was perfect for showcasing these, before the renovations started even the full height sash windows felt ignored and faded into the dark background. Not only are the windows key for light and well-being, we wanted to highlight how beautiful and original they really are’
– Danielle
NATURAL LIGHT: Situated next to the master bedroom but with no connecting entrance or door, we set about sealing up the original doorway and creating a new double glazed entrance directly from the master. Instantly the room was flooded with light and the space immediately functioned better.
‘When we first entered the room it was dark, gloomy and felt cluttered. Now the space feels so much brighter and fresh. The turret felt lost at the back of the room and you couldn’t appreciate any of the period features the house had to offer’
– Emily
STORAGE: A lot more generous than an average en-suite bathroom there was plenty of space to incorporate built in wardrobe storage. Designed to reflect the clients requirements the 6m run of bespoke joinery included hanging rails, drawers and shelving all hidden behind handle-less white gloss lacquer doors. Not a fan of handles, the clients wanted to keep a seamless and streamlined look to the finished product.
‘The wardrobes blend perfectly into the bathroom, you wouldn’t even know they were there. The gloss lacquer reflects light from the full height windows and the contemporary look of the wardrobe design perfectly balances the traditional elements of the house’
– Danielle
THAT DREAM BATH: The bath is definitely one of the most talked about pieces in the space, when people talk to us about this bathroom they always mention the bath!
Selected by Lisa our client, the deep curves and sheer scale of the CONNISTON BATH (CP HART) provide that instant wow factor. Complimented by the brushed brass floor standing bath filler, the bath sits perfectly in-line with the windows allowing the clients to relax and enjoy the idyllic views of the Norfolk countryside.
‘I don’t think we would have had the same effect if we had used a traditional bath in this space. There are some stunning baths out there which would have fit the bill perfectly but the Conniston blended perfectly, with balanced clean lines and that contemporary edge it brings an instant sense of zen and wellbeing to the bathroom’
– Emily
MONK TURRET: The hexagonal Monks turret in the back of the bathroom is believed to date back to the 1500s and is one of the existing original features at the Manor House. Back in its hey day it is believed the turret provided secret underground access to the churchyard which sits behind the Manor House.
Ensuring the turret was lovingly restored without damaging any of its heritage features we turned it into a walk in shower which also gave it a functioning purpose in the en-suite. Adding a curved arch to the entrance softened the transition into the shower and created a focal point at the rear of the room. Inside we specified mother of pearl white hexagonal tiles to the floor and walls which gave a pearl lustre of iridescent glamour and bounced light around the once dark and gloomy space.
VANITY: Keeping the clean crisp white details we added the Luv double vanity by CP Hart. Finished in Nordic white with a white quartz vanity top the contemporary lines complimented the free standing bath. The two sinks bought symmetry to quite a large wall and we balanced this by using 3 wall lights.
‘We injected our client Lisa’s favourite colour on the wall tiles- blush pink, to holistically connect and tie in with the master bedroom. The wall colour Manna Ash by fired earth subtly compliments Lisa’s love for crisp whites leaving the space feeling balanced and refreshed’
– Danielle
FINISHING TOUCHES: We used brushed brass accents on the sanitaryware , fittings, mirrors and even door hinges to add warmth and a hint of glamour. The piece we absolutely love is the crystal chandelier hanging centrally over the freestanding bath, striking magic and beauty into once a dark and unloved space.
