Victoria + Albert York freestanding bath Clever use of space in Orchard Cottage bathroom

A crittall shower screen, a Victoria + Albert bath and clever use of colour and light bring this bathroom to life.

In any hotel, the bathroom offers the most tangible evidence of luxury. The quality of the fittings, the softness of the bathrobes, the fragrance of the soaps and shampoos, all contribute to a sense of indulgence and relaxation. Airbnb is not always associated with this kind of experience, but a recent refurbishment at Orchard Cottage, an Airbnb rental property in Australia’s Blue Mountains, shows how a luxury bathroom can be realised.

Although the floorplan is small, white tiles walls and a high ceiling give a feeling of light and space. Warmth and personality are introduced through natural wood and brass fittings, including antique lights above the vanity unit. A crittall shower screen in black divides the space, creating a separate cocoon for shower and the York freestanding bath by Victoria + Albert. Nothing quite says luxury in a bathroom like a traditional freestanding bath, and the York has a deep, double-ended bathing well and smooth roll top for the most relaxing of soaks. Its integrated pedestal base hides all the waste plumbing so there is no unsightly pipework. The final touch of elegance is the seamless tiled floor with discreet shower drain – a wet room without steps or boundaries. A space that you would happily spend hours in. Isn’t that the definition of a luxury bathroom?