Style advice
Three simple tricks to try in your own home ADD PATTERN
‘Because the green wall tiles are quite striking, I didn’t want anything too overpowering for the floor. Even though these star tiles, from CTD Tiles, are quite busy, the subtle grey colour softens them, and they really complement the space. To tie the whole look together, I painted the skirting boards in the shade Pleat by Little Greene, which I think really lifts the floor, too. A leafy houseplant, bath mat and accessories in natural materials, like this wooden stool and woven basket, add texture and interest to the space.’
HAVE A START POINT
‘As soon as I saw the pink vanity unit, I fell in love with it and knew that it would be my basis for the scheme,’ says Amy who painted the walls in a muted pink to tie in with the statement piece. ‘The large sink has a traditional yet modern feel and the cupboard underneath is great for keeping toiletries.’ For extra storage, Amy had custom-made cupboards designed to go either side of the sink. ‘I painted the doors the same green colour as the skirting boards and finished off the look with shell handles that complement the other chrome details.’
STYLISH SHELVING
‘I really liked the idea of having shelving in the bath and shower area for all my lovely toiletries. While traditional, these lovely chrome corner shelves were the perfect size and really matched the style of the shower,’ says Amy. When drilling into tiles, cover any surfaces that could get damaged. Once you decide where on the tile you want to drill, cover with masking tape and mark the spot with a pen. Make sure you’re using the correct drill bit (this will depend on the type of tile) and be sure to use waterproof sealant around any holes and gaps.
‘I’m always excited for the end of the day when I can relax in my gorgeous bath’
MY EXPERIENCE
When we moved into this place, we slowly worked our way through the rooms, decorating them one by one. The bathroom was really crying out for some love. I wanted this space to make a real impact, yet still be in keeping with the Victorian style of the house.
Because the room is quite small, I asked a computer-aided designer (CAD) to help with the layout. A roll-top bath was top of my wishlist. Getting the CAD plan helped us see how the tub would look in the room and what space we’d have left.
We asked our builder to work out what plumbing needed to be replaced or moved and having the visuals to hand made this so much easier. When we removed the original tiles, the plaster all fell off the wall and exposed the brickwork, so we needed to find a plasterer, which consequently delayed all the other tradespeople. Putting in a heated towel rail was a must-have for me, and the best place was above the toilet, where the piping could be replaced and hidden in the walls. One of my favourite features is the luxury shower from Burlington Bathrooms. It’s made such a difference to our day-to-day routine.
Looking back, I think that with an old house like this it was over ambitious to imagine that the project would take a couple of weeks. In the end, it took about two months as I had a huge snag list to work through. Now that it’s all finished, I’m absolutely over the moon with how amazing the bathroom has turned out – I love itfl
I’m always so excited for the end of the day when I can relax in my gorgeous roll-top bath.