Serene space
A badly planned bathroom has been rearranged to make a light, bright room with a freestanding bath and separate shower.
Rearranging an awkward bathroom turns it into a relaxing place to unwind
Jo McCarthy, 42, and husband Steve, 41, moved into their four-bedroom detached house near Lichfield, Staffordshire, 14 years ago, when it was brand new. They’ve since had sons Henry, eight, and Toby, four, and wanted a more family-friendly bathroom
What was wrong with the original bathroom?
The layout was poor and space was wasted in this good-sized room, with the bath jutting out next to the doorway and a badly positioned shower cubicle. In addition, the original sanitaryware was looking dated and starting to fail.
So, what plan did you have for the new space?
I’ve always wanted a lovely freestanding bath, and was thrilled when I realised we could fit one in. The best place to put it was along the wall where the shower and toilet were located, so we started drawing up plans to change the layout and talked to the builder, who was renovating the kitchen downstairs at the time. He’s always in demand, so we decided to ask him to do the bathroom at the same time.
Was there a particular style you were aiming for?
A modern country feel, so we chose classic sanitaryware, with the addition of a curved modern bath, which is like an updated version of a traditional roll-top bath.
How did you find a place for the shower?
We realised that the airing cupboard behind the bathroom wall could be knocked through and would give us space for the shower. The other side of it is our ensuite, so all the plumbing was in place. With the shower set in a recess, the whole room feels so much bigger.
What was on your shower wishlist?
A Triton mixer shower, as we loved the design and the fact we could have a rainfall effect or a handheld showerhead, which the boys can use and is handy for washing hair. Most importantly with two young children, the thermostatic control prevents the water getting too hot.
Tell us about your choice of wall tiles…
I opted for white brick tiles and wanted them to go halfway up the walls, but when they were at the height we’d asked for, it looked unfinished. The tiler suggested adding in a metal trim but that felt too modern, so I searched online and found some dado tiles to finish off the top edge.
There is a subtle seaside theme. Was this deliberate?
Yes, although we don’t live anywhere near the sea! I had a couple of pictures and a sign I’d bought in Cornwall and, with the white walls and driftwood-style floor tiles, they create the perfect look.