‘Squashed’ is the words our clients used to describe the family bathroom in the five-bedroom Surrey house, ‘It had a boxed-in feel and old-fashioned fittings,’
‘We wanted to create a room with a more spacious feel, which would also withstand busy family life,’ This was the bones of the brief given to us . Previously, a cramped bath and ‘telephone box’-type shower cubicle occupied one wall, while fitted-furniture, basin and large WC occupied the other, leaving a narrow walk-way between the two. We decided that it was better to have a larger tub with over-bath shower, rather than separate fittings that were too small.
By moving the WC, there was no longer any need for boxed-in pipework, instantly creating a more streamlined and spacious feel. A wall-hung basin vanity unit frees up floor space, offers plenty of storage for toiletries and cosmetics essential, given that her daughter will be a teen only too soon,and leaves wall space to hang a large towel warmer for all the family’s towels. Materials are durable: the walls and floor are covered in ceramic tiles, while the tub is made from enamelled steel, which is scratch-proof, non-porous and guaranteed for thirty years.
While the new, roomy feel of the space, generously-sized bath and rain shower are appreciated by all the family, Our client says that she finds the burst of eye-catching ocean-inspired colour and pattern particularly welcome. ‘I love the mix of tiles and the accents of blue and brass,’ she says. ‘They transform a workaday space into an inviting room with character and interest.’
I liked Emma’s ability to combine great design with super-practical fittings,’
PROJECT Q&A
How did you begin the design?
In my mind’s eye, I stripped out everything extraneous in the room, so that I could imagine it without all the squashed-in fittings and bulky boxing. Then I started to plan the new layout, working from the bath as the largest item. It made sense to move the WC: it can be difficult to move a soil pipe, but in this case, it could be done relatively easily as part of the ‘whole house’ renovation project and in line with another WC in an adjacent room. Now the WC is discreetly positioned beyond the bath, which frees up maximum space for a vanity unit. This has big double drawers to provide lots of storage capacity, so we didn’t need to include another space-swallowing tall unit.
Can you tell us how you chose the tiles?
The diamond pattern of the floor tiles has the effect of drawing the eye through the room, enhancing the sense of space. The design also adds visual interest and impact, balanced by the simple white brick-shaped glazed tiles used for the half-height walls and bath surround. They are trimmed in brass edging, which creates a neat finish and picks up on the other brass accents in the room. And finally, we used a teal-blue tile, picking up on the ocean-inspired colour scheme, with a very subtle pattern to protect the walls in the showering space.
Why the brass finish for the taps?
It adds a little warmth to the cool white and marine blue scheme, and it’s more interesting than chrome. It’s a subtle detail, creating a polished finish.
That’s all folks! I really hope you found the piece interesting, and as always I’m happy to answer any further questions you may have or head over to emailemm@emmamerrystyling.comAll images & mood board copyright are owned by Emma merry styling except where noted. Please make sure you credit and link/tag if you use them. All photography & rights owned by www.pcraig.co.uk . Q&A are an extract from an interview with Amelia Thrope for EKBB. Thank you x