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Friendly Minimalism in Sunny Caribbean offers Luxury Sun Therapy

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The simplest of facades brings the friendly sun in to scour every wall of this cheerful Barbados vacation idyll.

Who could wake up miserable when you’d greet the day with breakfast in what must be the biggest sunroom in the world?

In this great room, even high up where the walls are not awash in the morning sunshine, reflected light from the pool is dancing high into its gigantic ceiling.

The use of sunlight as an architectural element is really delicious, here making a courtyard that perfectly frames a small piece of sky for a perfect outdoor shower.

An intriguing deep balcony off the master bedroom offers a cutout of sunshine and shade in equal measure.

Surprisingly, the creators of the joyous Atelier House are based in London; architect Alistair Downie of Harper Downie, and interior designer Amanda Snow.

What a real joy it must have been for sun-starved Londoners to create such a truly magical place.

The materials used are the simple, elegant and durable ones best in the tropics: limestone and glass and stucco.

As the sun passes overhead during the day, high ceilings are able to cool the immense space with just a few fans.

The glazed wall of the master bedroom opens fully to the Caribbean breezes.

Sliding glass further cools the central great room.

On the ground level, some of its four bedrooms open directly overlooking the pool.

While on the rooftop, a penthouse study, set perfectly between stucco walls, is like another perfectly proportioned world all on its own.

The luxurious retreat in Carlton, Barbados was on the market for sale via Sothebys at $5.25 million.