Amazings makeover
‘A bold colour scheme transformed our bathroom’ Turning two rooms into one created more space WORDS JESSICA CONTOMICHALOS | PHOTOGRAPHY ISABELLA SWANN
HARDWARE Simple chrome accessories complement the monochromatic decor
BASIN A floating washbasin frees up floor space, leaving room for a stool so Eva can reach the basin when she’s older
Bella and Darren Swann live in a 1930s house in Surrey. Bella is a photographer and Darren is a bathroom fitter. They have an 11-month-old daughter, Eva, and a cockapoo called Bear
‘Like many 1930s homes, the house had a small bathroom and separate loo. It made sense to knock through and turn two poky rooms into one larger family bathroom.’ 102 housebeautiful.com/uk
hat was your old bathroom like? There were some ‘interesting’ colour choices! And it had been designed for an elderly person, complete with a swing seat to lower them into the bath. The basin was below the window, meaning we couldn’t have a mirror, and the wall dividing it from the loo took up space that we were able to use more efficiently by knocking through.
W
colours, and settled on Studio Green. The wall tiles are Metro Sage from Tile Giant, and the floor tiles are Palau Grafito from Target Tiles.
Why did you start with the bathroom? With our young daughter, Eva, it was important to have a clean, functioning bathroom as soon as possible. However, we had to be careful not to spend too much money on it because we plan to do more renovations further down the line, including creating a large extension, at which point the bathroom will need to be removed.
How long did it take? Just over a couple of weeks. We bought the whole suite as ex-display, and my husband’s company, Swann Bathrooms, carried out the work. The bath was longer than average, so Darren had to chase the wall out to make it fit.
Tell us about the decor Because I knew the bathroom was temporary, the decision-making was quick and easy. I chose the paint colour first. I have a passion for Farrow & Ball
What were your priorities? I wanted to create a family bathroom that would grow with Eva. A towel rail close to the bath was also essential, and the tiles behind the toilet and basin are a nice feature.
And what was your best decision? Using a dramatic paint colour – it adds character and interest without costing a fortune. Plus the paint we chose is an easy-to-clean formula, so any condensation on the walls can be wiped away without leaving marks. HB
OUR SOURCEBOOK Studio Green modern emulsion, £53/2.5L, Farrow & Ball farrow-ball.com Metro tiles, £25/sq m, Tile Giant tilegiant.co.uk Palau Grafito floor tiles, £25.50/sq m, Target Tiles targettiles.co.uk Ideal Standard bath, £283; shower screen, £155; Vitra basin, £50; Aqualisa shower, £779; mirror, £82; all City Plumbing cityplumbing.co.uk Fitting Swann Bathrooms 0773 425 3195
