‘I WANTED A SPACE THAT FELT EARTHY AND CALM’ Shades of green create a relaxing vibe in a bathroom
Shades of green have created a stylish, relaxing vibe in this redesigned bathroom
What did you want to achieve?
When my husband and I first moved here in 2014, we were working to a tight budget so we simply painted the walls white and installed basic sanitaryware. But I started to crave a more individual room that would be a relaxing, peaceful space.
Who designed the layout?
It was a joint effort between me and the wonderful architects from Yellow Cloud Studio, whose office is nearby. It was through their expertise that my vision became a reality. We spent hours discussing ideas, flipping through brochures and examining samples. They then offered a detailed proposal, which included materials, colours, products and finishes, with realistic 3D images.
What did the work involve?
I was so excited when I saw the plans and couldn’t wait to get started! The first job was ripping everything out, although I kept the Victoria Plum bath because I knew it would fit in well with the new design. Previously, our pedestal basins were next to each other, but there was no storage. I always thought they were too close, so we decided to move the basins to the opposite wall. We put the bath in the middle, with a new basin and drawer unit on either side of the chimney breast. Next, we positioned the toilet and shower on the other side of the room, to make the space appear more balanced.
Tell us what influenced the scheme
It was a combination of various things. Growing up on a farm in the middle of the countryside was a key influence, hence the shades of green. I’m also a big fan of black – it’s sophisticated, timeless and easy to keep clean. If there are small units or areas within a room, I prefer looking at a dark colour rather than white. I chose to use marble and coloured plaster to create a Sicilian feel – it’s a favourite holiday destination and these materials are used a lot there. The Italian-style plaster on the walls provides not only texture and subtle pattern, but also reminds me of summers spent in Sicily. It can be sealed with either a matt or polished finish and it’s incredibly practical, as it can be cleaned and buffed up to look new.
Where did the idea of the folding doors come from?
I’d seen similar ones I’d liked, but when I checked the price they were prohibitively expensive, so the builders built these to my own design. They allow light into the bathroom, making it feel bright and airy, and have a Japanese feel.
How did you find your builders?
There has been a lot of work going on in the area recently so I chatted to a few builders and a local lady recommended Rimi Renovations. The bathroom took about two weeks to complete. Mind you, the builders had been with us for about eight months by then and I was ready to have my house back!
Are you pleased with the result?
Yes, I love our ensuite bathroom. I wanted a space that felt earthy and calm, and I think that’s been achieved, thanks to the architects being able to interpret my thoughts and combine them with their own vision. I like stone floors and knew the grey tones would work well with the coloured plaster – I couldn’t be happier with the result.
Karen’s Triangle House was shortlisted for this year’s New
l London Architecture’s Don’t Move, Improve! awards