What makes Toto the king of toilets

Luxury and whimsy are bedfellows made in heaven. So it comes as little surprise when home developers are touting the 'snoring room' as the newest home trend among wealthy buyers. Of course, this must-have room, especially gaining currency in the United Kingdom, is the "second master suite" - a place where your snoring spouse can retire, free from impatient nudges and constant shuffling from the other side of the bed. In this win-win situation, both spouses can enjoy a restful sleep, irrespective of unpleasant noises, nasty late-night reading, television watching or laptop browsing. The demand for a second master suite is especially popular among the international buyers swamping London's real estate market. "They are both tickled by the English humour when we announce the snoring room, but also attracted to the flexibility that it allows," confirms Stephen Lindsay, head of the Savills estate agency in the tony St. John's Wood neighbourhood of London, in the Sunday Times.

Quirky sleeping arrangements aside, here is our list of the top five most expensive home products. Clearly, it's not just an Englishman's home that is his castle.

Tile file

Pietra Firma

Why should home decorators have to differentiate between ceiling and floor when luxury has a 360 scope?

Italian company Pietra Firma has launched a line of handcrafted tiles called LuxTouch that can be used on the floor, walls, or ceiling. What makes them special is that each square metre of tile is inlaid with over 1000 diamonds, 2400 pieces of mother-of-pearl, 400 pieces of abalone shell and 500 pieces of black onyx. Naturally, the price is more than a prince's ransom, but nothing succeeds like excess, right? 

Game of Thrones

Toto Neorest

Nothing appends luxury better than the indulgence of a fancy throne on which to centre your daily planning.

At more than five thousand dollars, the Toto is the perfect seat with a built-in night light, air freshener, and motion detector that allows the lid to open as you approach. As toilets go, this is the king. 

A perfect soak 

Acheo Copper Bathtub

Morning ablutions would not be complete without the comfortable accoutrements of a pampering bath. And what could sanctify a morning soak more than customised tubs that cost as much as a BMW X 5?

This Archeo copper tub from Kallista is one of the priciest in production. The tub carries 71 gallons of water, and is handcrafted by the same coppersmiths who restored the Statue of Liberty's torch. Privilege and provenance are the twin joys of this tub. 

The lighting linchpin

Murano Glass Chandelier

Ever since 1291, when the Venetian government commanded all the local glassmakers to move their foundries to the island of Murano to prevent fires from destroying this city of wooden buildings, glassmakers and artisans have made Murano the Mecca of the most exquisite glass in the world.

A Murano glass chandelier is therefore de rigueur when it comes to mood lighting. Prices may be over the moon, but who's counting? The Ca'Rezzonico chandelier is one of the company's most traditional styles, and took a Murano artisan almost three months to make by hand. 

Simply floored

Macassar Ebony

For those who like the earthy warmth of a wooden floor, enjoying the luxury of Macassar ebony milled into the flooring is the only way to do it right.

It will probably cost an arm and a leg but those who can afford to use this exotic hardwood aren't really stressed about stretching budgets. Although it tends to be a little difficult to work with, due to its high density, blunting effect on cutters, and its occasionally interlocked grain, but with alternating bands of black and light tan, it is one of the most striking woods.