Designer debates: One brief, two ways
One bathroom, two designers. Leanne, Senior Designer at Ripples Newbury and Alfie, Designer at Ripples Beaconsfield showcase their individual approaches to re-designing a dated family bathroom in a period home.
Bathroom
A medium sized bathroom, 2.5m by 3m with a large window bringing in plenty of natural light. The room has high ceilings of 2.6m.
Brief
Transform a tired family bathroom in a period property into a relaxing, grown-up space for 2 parents and 3 teenage children. The client is looking for a contemporary scheme which features a free-standing bath, shower and special finish brassware to tie the room back to its period heritage. Although the room features lots of natural light, the client would like to add statement lighting and experiment with colour for dramatic effect.
Budget
£15,000 (excluding installation)
First up is Senior Designer Alfie, from Ripples Beaconsfield.
I was inspired by a deep royal green paint (Studio Green by Farrow & Ball) and decided to anchor my scheme around the shade. I’ve chosen a characterful marble in a muted tone to contrast against the rich green walls and introduce a subtle pattern to the wall space. The brushed gold brassware pops beautifully against the marble and adds a luxe, hotel-inspired look which will also stand the test of time due to its durability. I’ve chosen mood lighting, including an illuminated mirror, to make the room feel calm and elegant. The low-level lighting by the bath will run using PIR sensors, allowing users to bypass the main downlighters during late night/early morning trips to the bathroom whilst also acting as a design feature during the day. Although a luxurious look has been achieved, the room still benefits from a simple layout, perfect for a busy family bathroom used every day.
“A high-end, grown-up scheme with rich tones and clever lighting.”
- Alfie Guard
Next to present their design was Senior Designer Leanne, from Ripples Newbury.
I wanted to have fun with colour and pattern in this bathroom and to create something that both the parents and kids would love. Feature tiling in a bold herringbone pattern creates a striking backdrop to the room, ensuring the freestanding bath is centre stage. A wall to the right as you walk into the bathroom houses the towel radiator and shields the toilet from view while an inset framed brass glass panel brings light into the concealed shower area. The basin & matching illuminated mirror ooze elegance and give a nod to the classic feel of the property. Large format tiles in the shower area and behind the basin give a good contrast to the heavily patterned floor and feature wall, helping to ground the scheme. The tile choice also helps reduce the amount of grout lines in the shower area, lending to easy cleaning. The brushed brass accents chosen for the taps, towel radiator and shower screen work beautifully.
“A mix of innovative materials, colour and finishes give a fresh take on a classic feel.”
- Leanne Robey
For more bathroom advice from our team of specialist bathroom designers, download or request a copy of our free Style Guide.
Want to find out the top things to consider when choosing tiles for the bathroom? Read our expert advice with helpful information on every part of the project.