Bathrooms
Give it an edge For a more striking look, consider contrasting a pink surface with deep blue or charcoal grey. In this kitchen, the herringbone tile pattern is lifted by its soft pink colour – but what really sets it off are the dark blue cabinets. Alone, a light pink can seem quite whimsical, so it’s a good idea to mix it with something much stronger. The deep blue here is ideal, as it provides a contrast without being too brash.
Think bespoke Off-the-peg pieces don’t always work in small rooms, where every inch of space needs to be considered carefully. This is where bespoke solutions, such as cabinetry, really come into their own. This sloping ceiling, for example, means a regular wall cabinet wouldn’t work. Instead, a smart, angled cupboard, which also serves as the bathroom mirror, has been designed to fill every inch of the space, and is a design feature in its own right.
Make the floor the focus Victorian tiles were designed in geometric shapes with beautiful encaustic patterns, turning the floor into a stunning feature. Here, the white walls and bath form a blank backdrop to showcase the black-and-white chequered expanse of floor tiles. With a striking monochrome design like this, there’s no need to add too many other elements
. Don’t DIY your tiling – ever It’s just not worth it. Planning the tiling and tiling itself are both art forms. I have seen far too many new bathrooms that only look good when you’re not wearing your glasses. Once you see a crooked tile or uneven grouting it cannot be unseen. A tiler who plans the space, tile by tile, to ensure the placement of cuts and grout lines will be perfect is worth their weight in gold. You may be tempted to tackle a job that seems straightforward, but don’t do it. Especially if you have contrasting grout.
Save in order to spend elsewhere The redesign of this contemporary house was pretty extensive, so the owners wanted the kitchen to be simple and, most importantly, on budget. The designers achieved this by fitting Ikea carcasses into the corner of the open-plan space. This allowed them to spend more on the polished concrete worktop and bespoke doors, which are made of birch plywood with an olive ash veneer.
For gothic glam, turn tongue-and-groove over to the dark side with a deep paint colour. This Derwent wallpaper by Osborne & Little imbues the cloakroom with a sense of grandeur – even if it’s the smallest room in the house! A pale floor prevents the space from feeling claustrophobic by reflecting light from the ceiling spots
Try tongue and groove (two ways) For a calm and airy bathroom, traditional panelling is brought up to date with light colours and modern sanitaryware. Choosing square-edged wood to top the tongue-and-groove feels less fussy than rounded architrave. Taking the timber frame around the mirror is a small detail that subtly elevates the space. Be inspired by more homes that feature tongue and groove
Welcome whimsical wallpaper Be bold and use your cloakroom for brave design choices that you’d rather not risk elsewhere. You may even be able to up the budget to include fancy wallpaper, because such a small space won’t require many rolls. This Nuvole design by Fornasetti from Cole & Son transforms a modest space into something extraordinary.
A large, walk-in shower is fitted neatly beside the bath, providing a very generous showering area. “A hinged panel on the end of the shower screen prevents water splashing everywhere and can be folded back when not in use, to give the space back to the room,” Chris says. “Placing the shower over the bath was an option, but it would have been a compromise for both, resulting in neither being particularly effective. This design provides a large, comfortable bath solely for bathing and a spacious, comfortable, walk-in shower area.”
Like the tiling and gold grout
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