Open Secret

Removing walls and widening doors has created an inviting self-contained sanctuary where comfort meets clever design

- Linda Clayton

Can you describe the property?

It is located in Parsons Green in south-west London in a row of Victorian ‘Lion’ houses, named after the terracotta lions on their gables. Our company’s architectural division completely reconfigured the house, adding a new basement and taking the interior in a much more modern, open-plan direction. This bathroom is part of the main suite, which now takes up the entire first floor.

Why did you opt to put the bath in the bedroom?

We had put a lot of energy into opening up the house, swapping solid walls for glazed partitions and widening doorways. The idea of shutting the bath away again went completely against the grain. We did make a concession by adding pocket doors to separate the rest of the bathroom though. The owners are a pretty relaxed family, with two teenage children, but a sense privacy was essential.