Historic Bathroom & Laundry Makeover
The Design Makeover Brief :
The house is a period home that has had numerous “decorating add ons” in its lifetime, most of them unsuccessful.
The service area has a spectacular view of the hills but was not utilized, it was cramped and the laundry was an afterthought, sitting beside the bath, and it was only a washing machine.
Therefore the aim was to make a more efficient bathroom / laundry area and to change the current décor to be in keeping with the period of the house.
Design Method:
We decided to combine all the services into one room. It now houses a wc, shower, bath, vanity unit and full laundry – washing machine, dryer and tub and storage. This was achieved by relocating the hot water cylinder to the roof space, removing all the internal walls. Removing the multiple layers of ceiling.
Opening up the back wall and putting in large bi-folding windows that opens up to the stunning view. A stylish, light and efficient space ha d now been achieved.
New bathroom and laundry, sunny and warm.
Picture 1 Existing Vanity
Existing Bathroom, Laundry and WC
Picture 2 Washing machine and bath with shower over to the right
The original vanity unit was too small and as the window was above it, the mirror was difficult to place. (picture 1)
This was the existing laundry / bathroom with the shower over the bath and the vanity unit on the opposite wall. This window was looking out to the view and not really showing it off to it’s full potential.
As you can see the plumbing left a lot to be desired, the waste from the washing machine went out through a pipe in the floor beside it. (picture 2)
Picture 3 The WC Room.
This room housed the WC. The window is aluminium joinery and opaque glass.
This is facing the most fabulous view of the hills that the owner wanted to capture. This is where the shower now lives. When demolishing the ceiling, it was obvious that numerous renovations had taken place – there were three layers of “new” ceilings.
We therefore ended up with a higher ceiling than expected, a nice surprise making the new room more spacious. (picture 3)
The old faithful claw foot bath looks stunning and has been placed specifically to enjoy the fresh air and view with the bi-folding timber windows. The base has been painted in a dusky blue – the same mid tone as the sea green of the timber walls. The vanity unit, taps, lights, bath and timber windows, skirtings, dado rail and architraves are all now in keeping with the period of the house.
The terracotta tiles absorb the sunlight and heat during the day and make the floor warm underfoot in the evenings. The timber slat blinds continue the natural materials feeling and provide warmth and privacy from the neighboring driveway.
The traditional claw foot bath with a twist of color!
Light and airy with wonderful views.
Attention to detail – the timber toilet seat, the toilet brush (knob only visible), the brass and timber toilet roll holder, all combine to create a well thought out cohesive design combining the modern convenience of new fittings with the traditional style of period pieces.
