Love it
BATHROOM MAKEOVER
‘It’s a tropical
URBAN OASIS’ Resorting to drastic measures, Gina borrowed bedroom space to double the size of her bathroom, creating a longed-for retreat her whole family could enjoy
H
aving lived in this house for a year, I couldn’t stand the cramped bathroom a minute longer,’ says Gina. ‘It was so tiny, and I didn’t know how to improve the space. After getting a builder to come over, I was given some interesting options. The first was to keep the space as it was, and simply revamp it with a new suite. The second was to knock down a wall and take two metres off the adjacent bedroom to create a much bigger space in here. I was happy to make that sacrifice, because the bedroom would still be quite large. As my children, Maisie, Florence and Albert, were getting older, they needed a larger bathroom, so it was a priority for all of us.
Dream scheme
IDEA TO STEAL
‘Deep, handle-free drawers create a smart, seamless feel’ GILDED GLASS
‘A decorative mirror brightens up the sink area and industrial bulkhead wall lights add plenty of character’
88 | MAY 2020
The builder explained that, by moving the wall, the bathroom could double in size, allowing enough space for a walk-in shower. He also suggested adding another window to let in more light. We decided to position the bath at one end, and use the other end for the shower. With the plan in place, I was excited to get going with the project. I couldn’t wait to have a family-sized bathroom with a walk-in shower as well as a bath – a statement tub was at the top of my list, as I was keen to create a focal point in the room. I started looking for a freestanding bath and decided against a traditional roll-top in favour of a more modern shape. The rest of the house is decorated in an industrial style, and I wanted to add some of those elements, too, so the rooms would all flow together. I love dark colours but, for here, I went for a much lighter, more natural palette. The builder suggested some handmade taps, using some leftover copper pipes and stopcocks. A large, wall-hung
