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After chasing down lifestyle stories all day, Susie Wall, the Vancouver-based fashion writer and West Coast correspondent for CTV's eTalk, retreats to her master bedroom's en suite bathroom to wash away her stresses with a long, hot shower. "This bathroom is a fantastic escape after a crazy day," says the married mother of two. "Between the light and the neutral tones, I have no choice but to take a deep breath when I walk into the space." The room, inspired by Wall's favourite boutique hotels in London and New York, was designed by Allana Johnston of Vancouver's Living Environments. The lack of clutter is intentional: Besides being functional, the room is an oasis of calm inside the family home.

THE WHITE WALLS: "The paint colour is Cloud White by Benjamin Moore, a backdrop used elsewhere in the house. I like it because it creates a clean canvas without feeling clinical. I gravitate toward whites, greys and browns in my life anyway and then fold in shots of vibrant colour, like green apple and hot pink, to liven things up."

THE PINK PRINT: "My husband and I attended an art fundraiser for the Western Front Society, an artist-run centre in Vancouver, in 2009. It was just before our youngest daughter was born and friends who were there bought this as a gift to celebrate Gemma's impending arrival. The words read, 'It Doesn't Have To Be Good To Be Meaningful.' There was definitely some childbirth innuendo there! It has since become one of our most adored pieces. The words ring true."

THE ANTIQUE BENCH: "I love antique touches in contemporary houses. This rickety old bench is from Country Furniture in South Granville and it adds instant character. My girls love sitting on it while we rush around getting ready for our day."

THE TOWELS: "They're by Abyss & Habidecor and I found them at Bacci's At Home, my favourite home accessories shop in Vancouver. They are woven from Egyptian cotton and pure linen and feel super-luxurious. Some of the world's most exclusive hotels, including the Plaza in New York and the Burj Al Arab in Dubai, use them."

THE FLOORING: "This floor is actually porcelain tile by Abisko by Rex, but has the vibe of a wide, wood plank. I found it at Stone Tile. It has such a warm feel that we decided to carry it through into the shower as well."

THE SKYLIGHT: "The city wouldn't allow us to add any windows as part of the renovation because, as bizarre as it sounds, we had exceeded our glass limit in the house. To get around it, we opted for a giant skylight that opens, installed opposite the shower. We throw it open all year round, even on cold, blustery days."

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