6 minute read
IT’S A TROPICAL URBAN OASIS
from Casyhbvv
Love it
BATHROOM MAKEOVER
Advertisement
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
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’
Having 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 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
SUITE SUCCESS
‘I can hardly believe the transformation from a small, cramped bathroom to a large family-sized tropical oasis’
SUBTLE SHADE
‘A new window and wooden Venetian blinds allow natural light, but provide some privacy, too’
TOTAL £4,523
COME ON IN!
ABOUT ME I’m Gina Webb, 50, a data analyst. I live with my three children, Maisie, 20, Florence, 18, and Albert, 17, in a four-bedroom terraced house in east London. We moved here about two years ago. THE CHALLENGE Once we’d improved the kitchen, the next job on the list was to enlarge and modernise the bathroom. With three growing teenagers, its original tiny size wasn’t fit for purpose. It was extremely dated, with old, grubby flooring and it hadn’t been decorated in years. I was advised to take space from a large bedroom next door to create a much bigger bathroom, with a walk-in shower area, too –a top priority for us. MY WISH LIST Besides the shower, an absolute must-have was some good storage in which to tidy away the relentless clutter. I couldn’t wait to rip the whole room up and start again!
PERFECT PIPES
‘Our builder made some taps using copper tubes and stopcocks for an individual look that contrasts well with the sleek, white bath’
Do it! DIY TAPS
This utilitarian look is a great solution if you don’t want to disturb finished tiling, brick walls or woodwork. Keep the tap and the pipes exposed by surfacemounting the pipework.
If you’re up for the challenge, a DIY copper tap can be a budgetfriendly option. Check YouTube for good step-by-step tutorials. Alternatively, you can find bespoke, floor-mounted taps from BowStreetCraftsCo at Etsy.
It’s an affordable style –look for the fittings at a DIY store or plumber’s merchant. Handles can be made from brass stopcocks, lever handles or gate valves.
works Why it
STYLE AT HOME SAYSÉ
‘Gina’s exposed brick feature wall is key to this scheme – it adds character but doesn’t overwhelm, thanks to the white walls and floor.’
houses editor
Ruth Corbett
ON THE FLOOR
‘The graphic look of the white hexagonal tiles adds interest’
PATTERN PLAY
‘I chose white metro tiles to complement the feature brick wall’
IDEA TO STEAL ‘Display lots of greenery – it not only helps to purify the air, but gives the space a lush feel, too’
BATHROOM MAKEOVER
Love it
LET IT RAIN
‘The walk-in shower is perfect for busy morning routines and the drenching from the rainwater head is a far cry from the trickle of the old shower’
Buy it Shop Gina’s botanical luxe look
vanity unit and sink also caught my eye and I was relieved to incorporate some storage space. I chose a wall-hung toilet, too. With the extra space created, there was enough for a large shower area. I wanted a wet room feel, so we laid the floor tiles uninterrupted throughout. A large shower screen helps to contain the water splashes, and I went for a large ceiling-mounted rainwater showerhead, plus an extra shower rail for flexibility.
A clean slate I decided to go for a fresh, white colour scheme, with an exposed brick wall for a rustic feel, plus added texture and tone. The brick adds colour and interest to the room, and helps to draw attention to the bath. I’m a huge fan of tiles laid in a herringbone arrangement, so for the other walls, I went for simple white tiles with a dark grey grout. While looking for floor tiles, I came across a white hexagon mosaic design that I knew would perfectly complement the room.
To warm up the space, I introduced lots of green plants, on the windowsills and in hanging planters, too. They love the humidity, they cleanse the air and give the room a relaxing tropical feel. It’s also a great way to add a splash of colour. To continue the tropical vibe, I chose leafprint towels, and green accessories. It’s my own tropical oasis and I love it in here.’
Where to buy Gina’s style
White gloss linear tiles , £17.95sq m; Hexagon White mosaic tiles , £41.23sq m, both MGA Tiles. Iflo Tahoe bath , £565; Bauhaus Glide II 100 gloss vanity unit with marble basin , £873; Hansgrohe Logis single-lever tap , £89; wet room screen , £304; Hansgrohe Raindance shower set , £634; Hansgrohe shower slider rail kit , £135; Duravit wall-mounted toilet , £181; Gerberit Sigma flush plate , £56; chrome radiator , £299, all City Plumbing. Tropical bath towel , £16; hand towel ; Voyager canister , £7; Green glass dispenser , £7; Green glass tumbler , £5, all Dunelm. Pure White & wood 50mm slat blinds , from £46.78, Blinds2Go. Bath towel , £8; face cloth , £1.50; bath mat , £6, all Primark. Artificial fern , £5, Argos. Plant stand , £20, Sainsbury’s Home. Hanging planter , £5.99; glass lantern , £1.49, both The Range. Simon bulkhead lights , £69.99 each, Dowsing & Reynolds. Similar, Bulkhead cage pendants , £99, Industville. Plant holder , £49.99; toilet roll holder , £11.31, Amazon. Brass Deco mirror , £250, Cox & Cox. Neroli & Lime bath products , from £5 each, Heathcote & Ivory. Grey stool , £40, Triangle
