Bathing Beauties
Bathrooms have become the outstanding feature of many homes on Samui.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
If there’s one area of design architecture that really stands out on Samui it’s in the design of bathrooms. It seems that this is the room where imaginations run wild and the most creative of work leads to incredible results.
This may seem a little odd as the bathroom is generally the smallest room in the house. However, the importance of this private haven should never be underestimated. A wow-factor bathroom can transform even the most basic or average home, and it can certainly be a deciding factor for buyers when choosing between two similar properties.
Maybe it’s because of the tropical location; the thought of romantically sharing the double Jacuzzi tub; the idea of bathing under the stars or having a refreshing outdoor shower. Who knows? But the bathroom definitely catches the imagination of the buyer as well as the designer.
Forget functionality and the day-to-day bathroom usage. When viewing a home the potential buyers will, without doubt, see themselves enjoying the intricacy of inner gardens from the comfort of the bath tub; sipping champagne with a loved one; or stood next to their partner at the twin sinks; regardless of whether any of these things will ever happen.
As well as being a romantic setting the bathroom can equally be viewed as a place of quiet solitude; an escape from everything else that’s going on. In the western world, and particularly in modern houses, most bathrooms are small and have minimal natural light, if any at all. Windows that do exist are usually completely frosted or obscured. And the bathrooms are often tucked away in corners or under stairs to minimise the space that they occupy. Bathroom designs here on Samui couldn’t be further removed from that scenario.
The concept of outdoor living is most often employed in the en-suite bathrooms of the villas and homes spread around the island. Inner gardens, open roofs, skylights, vaulted ceilings, sliding doors and balconies are all incorporated to allow the bather to enjoy the views of internal and external landscaping. Fortunately the climate on Samui makes such rooms functional for most of the time.
Fixtures and fittings for the bathroom are more diverse than for any other room. And as most new homes built here have a bathroom for each bedroom, a family bathroom and often an outdoor bathroom, the opportunity to experiment with different themes and styles is almost infinite.
High quality bathroom products can be easily sourced from many retailers on the island. However, it’s often the unique architecture, positioning and outlook of the room that gives the overall impression of absolute luxury.
Natural materials dominate, even in the most contemporary of homes. Stones, plants, wood and marble pieces contrast perfectly with ultra-modern chrome appliances. Terrazzo bath tubs and sink units are now becoming as popular as the clean white suites traditionally fitted. Also the choice and style of tiles available is astonishing, allowing people to highly personalise the rooms and match colour schemes or individual tastes.
It’s noticeable that even in the most expensive of homes that many outdoor bathroom features apply the tropical back-to-nature feel. Wooden and bamboo cold-water showers set inside a private garden area offer an alternative to the modern indoor power-shower. Filling open alcoves and inner-gardens with tropical plants, antique-looking vases or sandstone wall-carvings all provide interesting features.
Bathrooms are almost never neglected by architects and designers on Samui. Size is often surprising, too, with some en-suites equalling the size of the bedroom. This reflects the worldwide opinion that whatever the home is like, the bathroom is what truly reflects the level of luxury.
Different shaped sinks fashioned out of coloured ceramics, glass and metal sit alongside shower areas featuring showerheads that vary in design, shape and size; open showers, shower cubicles, wet rooms and shower screens; corner bathtubs, large two-seater tubs, baths built around natural rock formations, and Jacuzzis of all shapes and sizes all exist in homes on Samui.
If you try to think about the most memorable features of the houses you’ve visited, bathrooms will usually feature strongly in your list; even in houses with exceptional views and locations.
When you’re trying to sell a house the bathroom can be vitally important. If not maintained a bathroom can age and deteriorate quickly. Cracked tiles, marked sinks and even dirty laundry can all be off-putting to buyers, especially when buying a holiday home or rental investment where the buyer may not want the hassle of having to refit the bathrooms before they can use or rent the property.
A sparklingly clean and tidy bathroom creates a positive impression about you and the way you care for the home. After all, the best indication of a person’s hygiene will come from their bathroom. Another off-putting feature can be if the choice of décor is too personal. You may adore your blue bathtub with yellow and green tiled floor and walls. But it could be the one thing that deters a potential buyer.
So, if you’re thinking of selling, it’s often a good idea to tone down such personal tastes. By switching the suite to white and selecting more natural coloured tiles you could get the price you’re hoping to achieve. If not, then a buyer may be working out how much it will cost to rip out the existing bathrooms and replace them, and then try to negotiate this off the asking price.
In relation to buying and selling properties anywhere in the world, the most important rooms are often the kitchen and bathroom. Samui is no different. However, whereas a fully-fitted western kitchen is now preferred, the reality is that many kitchens on the island remain rarely used. But a bathroom is definitely a room that can’t be overlooked or unused. When nature calls it has to be answered, sooner or later.
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