INSIGHT & IDEAS
C.P. Hart’s very own design experts share their invaluable knowledge
HOW TO CREATE THE PERFECT BATHROOM IN THREE EASY STEPS
By Yousef Mansuri, head of design, C.P. Hart
MUST-HAVE FEATURES
Think first about who will use the bathroom and their requirements, then draw up a list of features that are vital. For example, you might need lots of storage and a walk-in shower in a family bathroom, while twin basins and a freestanding bath might be ideal in a master en suite. We are certainly seeing increased demand for steam rooms and other spa-like features that help make the bathroom into wellness and relaxation zones.
LAYOUT
I like to position the main feature of the room – be it a beautiful vanity console or stunning freestanding bath – as the focal point of the layout. The siting of the WC is another key starting point, as its pipe needs to connect to a central or external soil stack. Moving the WC can be critical to the success of a room layout, in which case your designer and plumber can advise you on the possibilities.
Also consider the floor – it is usually easier to conceal pipes within the joists of a wooden floor than it is to chase them into a concrete floor, or you may need to build a plinth on top to create a void to hide the pipes. Similarly, it is easier to run pipework behind a stud wall than to try to chase it into a solid one. Or you could choose a shower with the pipework visible.
STYLE
There are so many inspiring products to choose from that people often ask me where to begin. You can use the age of your home as a starting point: in a period property, you may opt for a classic style or go for fittings that offer a modern twist on a period style. If your taste is contemporary, then a clean-lined modern look may be the way to go. Alternatively, you can simply take one piece you particularly like, such as a freestanding bath or vanity unit, and use it as your starting point. Gather images of the products and materials you like, from taps to tiles, and you will soon be able to see if they work together in harmony.
HOW TO CHOOSE A SHOWERHEAD
By Rebecca Milnes, designer, C.P. Hart Your shower must be compatible with your water system; generally, the higher the water pressure, the better the shower performance. Rates vary from about 0.1 bar (low pressure) to 3 to 5 bar pressure; consult a plumber for advice on establishing the water pressure in your home.
Next choose your preferred showering style. Some people like
a gym-style powerful directional model; others prefer a hand shower on an adjustable riser so that it is possible to shower without getting their hair wet. Some showers offer a variety of spray patterns within one head, and many luxury overhead versions offer extra features, such as in-built lighting, aromatherapy and choreographed spray sequences.
HOW TO CHOOSE FLOORING
By Yousef Mansuri, head of design, C.P. Hart
Porcelain tiles are durable, almost totally non-pervious and ideal for use in bathrooms. We are seeing fantastic variety, and not just in marble and wood effects, which replicate the real thing and are virtually maintenancefree. Geometric patterns are still very popular, while terrazzo is coming through strongly. We love its 1970s feel and huge variety of colours, which can be used to inject a little bit of fun into your scheme.
HOW TO CHOOSE HEATING
By Rebecca Milnes, designer, C.P. Hart Electric underfloor heating is a good choice for bathrooms as it provides even heat, feels cosy underfoot, helps to dry floor splashes and is usually straightforward to install. We also often include a towel radiator, so that warm towels are in easy reach of the shower or bath, and to provide extra heat in larger rooms. A dual-fuel towel rail – connected to both central heating and electricity – is useful because it allows you to have warm towels in summer too. Most radiator manufacturers, including Vogue, vogueuk.co.uk, provide an online
BTU (British Thermal Unit) calculator, which you can use as a guide to identify a suitable radiator output for your room.