‘NOW WE HAVE SPACE FOR A SHOWER’
Having lived with a leaking, cramped bathroom for years, one couple finally decided to call in the experts to design a better layout
Benie MacDonald, a psychologist, and her partner Graham Davey, a professor of psychology, have lived in a Victorian terraced home in Brighton since 1984 and are refurbishing their bathroom for the second time
What prompted your bathroom makeover?
We installed the existing suite in the 1990s. It had a leak for years that we didn’t tackle, and eventually it brought the ceiling down in Graham’s study. There was a massive Jacuzzi, which we never used, and the room had a dark colour scheme and felt claustrophobic.
Did you have a style in mind?
It was important to us to have a design that was sympathetic to our Victorian house, but with a modern edge. We had no preconceived ideas and were open to suggestions, but we did want a freestanding look, and I fell in love with some encaustic floor tiles I’d seen online. Were there any must-haves on your wish list?
Yes – a bath for Graham and a freestanding shower for me. It was just a case of working out how to accommodate both of these, without making the space cramped.
How did you find your bathroom company?
Our aim is to support local businesses so we kept our search around the Brighton area. We chose The Brighton Bathroom Company, because it offered a design and fit service that others didn’t.
Was the refurbishment straightforward?
Far from it! When the builders ripped out the old bathroom they uncovered the hidden horrors. The original pipes had been laid so the water didn’t run off properly, which explained the leaks. When the tiles were stripped off, large parts of the wall fell away due to the damp. There were also pools of water under the floorboards that had to be dealt with before the underfloor heating could be installed. Why did you change the layout?
We didn’t want to extend the room and couldn’t see how everything would fit the space, but The Brighton Bathroom Company came up with a layout that accommodated all the sanitaryware we wanted. The new bath was placed under the window and the old basin unit in the alcove was ripped out to make room for the shower. A bespoke washstand and basin were positioned on the opposite wall.
Tell us about your inspiration for the colour scheme?
It was driven entirely by the blue tones in the floor tiles, which we picked out on the bath panels, wall panelling and washstand. The bathroom company suggested cream tiles in the shower for a warmer feel.
Did you work to a budget?
Yes, and now we laugh about how naive we were – it was a quarter of the amount we actually spent. We weren’t in touch with how much things cost and also we hadn’t factored in having to rectify problems caused by years of water damage.
What was your biggest spend?
The most expensive thing was the floor tiles. They are handmade and were the starting point for the whole design, so we have no regrets. You gave a lot of thought to the finishing touches…
I wanted all the accessories to have a traditional feel, but with a contemporary twist, such as the wall-mounted taps and wall lights. I’ve always loved shutters and as these have the option of opening just the top half, it maintains our privacy, but allows daylight in.
How long did it take from start to finish?
About eight weeks but it felt like an eternity as this is our only bathroom. During the refurbishment Graham would visit his daughter up the road to use her shower and I’d drive to my daughter’s to use her bathroom. Are you pleased with the new bathroom space?
We love it! The colour scheme feels light and welcoming and the underfloor heating is a revelation, particularly on a cold winter’s morning!