Case study

Rooted in Quiet Luxury

Designed by Alexandra Young

Hidden deep within the Surrey Hills, this 1920s home sits surrounded by ancient woodland and sweeping views. A previous renovation had obscured the building’s character leading the current owners to pare back the design into something quieter and more attuned its peaceful surroundings. Stripping away the fuss allowed the space, light and material to speak for themselves.

Designed by Alexandra Young, the house is generous in both size and soul. Five bedrooms - all ensuite - open onto a floor plan that now flows with ease, following a meticulous renovation that included moving the staircase and enlarging the kitchen. A boot room and map room, added to accommodate the family’s dogs and outdoor lifestyle, hint at the life lived beyond its walls: riding, walking, and mountain biking through the bracken and beech.

Upstairs, the original master bedroom was transformed into a light-filled ensuite bathroom, part of a complete reconfiguration of the main suite. The existing ensuite had been small and awkward - an underwhelming space tucked behind a walk-through dressing area, with a cramped layout and little connection to the glorious views beyond.

In contrast, the new arrangement opens up generously. By reclaiming space from the landing and vaulting the ceiling into the roof void, the design team created a striking, more expansive room. Reclaimed beams, cut and used as false rafters, now add architectural interest and a sense of age.

Materials throughout were chosen for their texture and natural character. The walls and bath exterior are painted in a soft, chalky hues creating a calm and cohesive backdrop. On the floor and shower walls, matt encaustic tiles from Bert & May in a pale tangerine herringbone add warmth without drawing too much attention. The back wall of the oversized walk-in shower is clad in Juparana Bordeaux granite - a bold, veined stone in russet and soft grey tones, which contrast beautifully with the antique bronze brassware.

The Usk bath was carefully placed to make the most of the views through the windows, allowing for a quiet moment of connection with the outdoors. Antique bronze fittings were selected throughout for their naturally aged finish, including the elegant Chessleton shower and a freestanding double towel rail. The double vanity is formed from a pair of 19th-century Gustavian commodes, repurposed and topped with creamy Crema Marfil marble to lend a refined but relaxed feel.

Drummonds products were chosen not just for their classic styling but for their craftsmanship. “I love that each piece is handmade and hand-cast using traditional techniques,” says designer Alexandra Young. “Their style is classical, elegant and ageless with an air of serious luxury, enabling us as designers to make beautifully designed sanctuaries within our clients’ homes.”

The result is a bathroom that feels rooted, both in its architecture and its surroundings -a space designed to support quiet, everyday rituals, while framing the beauty that lies just beyond its windows.

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