The Bathroom Unveiled

It’s time to unveil the new bathroom, and I’m excited to showcase it with you because it represents a significant transformation of a small space. As you step inside, you’ll notice a powerful shower above the bathtub, a toilet conveniently located near a discrete heater, and a door that swings outward, leading to the stair platform. It’s worth mentioning that if the door is open, individuals aged 22 or older may find it challenging to enter.

Exiting the room, the toilet is immediately in sight. If one opts to conceal the toilet for aesthetic reasons, the stair platform becomes quite dark. The outdated and dim atmosphere is accentuated by gray mosaic tiles and black-and-white linoleum flooring, offering no storage space.

To begin the transformation, we opted for a pocket slider instead of a traditional door, a savvy move to maximize space utilization. Next, we shifted all the fixtures to the right, ensuring that when the door swings open, a charming basin is revealed instead of the toilet. The choice of Burlington’s Victorian-style high-level cistern was deliberate, aligning with the era and aesthetics of the house, though its practicality might be debatable.

Lastly, the tub was removed altogether, completing the overhaul.

I invested a considerable amount of time in meticulous measurements and drafting floor plans. Once we confirmed that everything fit seamlessly into the space, all systems were a go. The only compromise arose when we initially desired a wider basin. However, upon entering the room, it became evident that a broader basin would be too snug, especially considering the awkward contours of the sloping walls. It was practically impossible to maneuver it out from under the window.

Arcade basin

We settled on a 600-wide Arcade basin, which I adore. Nevertheless, I believe that a proportionally broader basin with legs would have been more aesthetically pleasing if the space allowed for it.

Honestly, if I could go back in time and ask Victorian-era builders why they placed that angle there, I would. It didn’t make the garden any larger; in fact, it made the kitchen smaller. Frankly, it turned the bathroom into a nightmare! Now that it’s all done and beautifully decorated, it’s not lacking in charm, but it would have been so much better if both rooms had that extra bit of space.

The flooring

Moving up from the floor. We opted for Claybrook Studio’s Black Terra as the flooring—slightly misnomered as it’s more akin to deep chocolate. This choice also includes underfloor heating, a practical addition given the tight space constraints and the need to accommodate radiators. The effect is quite pleasing, considering the small size of the room.

When it comes to the shower enclosure, a glass shell isn’t deemed necessary. They can be pricey and challenging to keep clean. Even with the door closed while someone is inside, it feels somewhat exposed to other parts of the house due to its proximity to the top of the stairs, leading from there to the front door. Without sturdy walls, there’s no space for a heated towel rack or storage, making it a necessity.

Tiles

Purchased an inexpensive shower curtain liner (regularly cleaned) and some striped bath mats, creating a decorative shower curtain. The tiles used are Fellini Crema from Claybrook Studio. Subway tiles are versatile, and this is just one of the various ways you can arrange them, deviating from the traditional brick layout. Chocolate-colored grout was added to match the flooring and prevent the browning effect caused by soap.

The wallpaper features Marigold design by William Morris in a verdant hue, complemented by wooden elements crafted from Copper Beechwood by Paint & Paper Library. We scored a vintage mirror from eBay for around £60, enhancing it with bronze Corston lights on either side. Both the exterior and the light switches throughout the entire house boast a bronze finish, harmonizing seamlessly with the chrome faucets.

Brass and chrome

Traditional gold/brass fixtures could be a bit too flashy, so we opted for chrome shower accessories, faucets, and shower cubicles. Once you introduce brass, it’s easy to pivot towards a more opulent look, but we aimed to stay true to the narrative of a Victorian-era worker’s cottage. While I acknowledge that the upstairs bathroom may no longer be part of this story, we took it as inspiration rather than attempting to recreate it. I also find the blend of chrome and bronze quite effective. I requested the contractor to apply a matte cream finish to the towel racks.

Using the leftover wooden planks from other parts of the house as shelves, we stained them black to match the windows. The storage space isn’t extensive, but it’s sufficient.