Present2Sell - By The Dart September 2010
Bathroom Style
Character complex
Bathrooms mean different things to different people: a feel-good oasis in which to tune out the day's stresses, a work room for fixing hair and makeup, a pit stop for a quick morning scrub-up. Most probably it means all of those at different times, so how to manage these competing design requirements and create a bathroom of style and sanctuary which is also efficient and practical?
Form follows function
An essential first step is to figure out what the really important functionalities are for you. Could you live without a bath, without storage or a side-lit de-misting mirror...? Do you need to consider the needs of the young or the elderly? Consider these in parallel with the practical constraints of the plumbing. If your plans include the re-positioning of any water pipes, do get professional advice on what is feasible within your budget.
Measure up
Accurately measure the internal dimensions of your bathroom, taking doors, windows, skirtings and radiators into account as well as any architectural features such as sloping ceilings. Draw a scaled plan ideally using graph paper, and mark out existing plumbing points. Include the position of doors and the way they open, ditto for the position of windows, plus their height from the floor, the position of your water supply and the extractor fan. Cut out scaled shapes of the essential items to see how well they fit, allowing enough activity space around each item (700mm in front of a toilet and basin and at least 1000mm in front of a bath).
Point to point
With all the practicalities out of the way, it's now time to have some creative fun, pondering the various ways to make that room uniquely yours, and one that will continue to delight you. To keep your project moving forward, list your priorities to establish some points of reference. How important is the shape/colour of the sanitary ware, the style of the taps, floor and wall textures, colours, decoration etc. Perhaps you've found the perfect fabric for the window dressing or have been saving some favorite decorative tiles that already look great in the space. Having a key starting point to anchor your thoughts makes the process enjoyable instead of paralyzing!
Gourmet glamour
Every element of the room is an opportunity to express yourself but bear in mind that at some point, chances are you'll be selling up. A potential house buyer will not be wooed by the prospect of replacing a bathroom so try to restrict any particularly quirky impulses to areas where substitution and redecoration will not break the bank! Invest in quality for the largest items that will be hard to replace. Nothing shouts glamour louder in a bathroom than a real stone floor with underfloor heating. Take a look at www.devonstone.com for a delicious array of slates, limestones and marbles. This bold chequerboard floor is created with black polished granite and white thassos marble. A visit to their showrooms in Exmouth and Kingsbridge will leave you in no doubt that these people know their stuff and will take as much pride in your project as you do. If a timeless achromatic look is what your heart desires, take a look at their Oriental Basalt Stoneskin range. Any one of the moody colours of these textured wall tiles will produce it for you at a stroke. Reinforce the elemental look with with either stone vessels on a plinth, or with pure ice-white sanitary ware. If you go for this look, you'll need to have flexible lighting options: dimmable recessed fittings or downlights for when you want to immerse yourself in your private grotto and enjoy the surrounding textural richness; wall-mounted lamps for a warmer ambience plus some mirror-framing task lights.
Clear thinking
To maximise available light (and the view of your stone walls), consider frameless glass screens for the bath or shower. They will immediately increase the size of your room and no matter how awkward its shape, Glass Trends can tailor them to your particular space. To see them at their inventive best, visit www.glasstrends.co.uk. Freestanding or wall mounted units are easier to keep clean will increase the apparent floor size, so are good for smaller rooms. Alape.com has just launched "Dish", a sleek but pretty basin and storage range that delivers the latest look.
Signature stamp
For that signature piece to indelibly stamp your mark on the space, a fine radiator is essential. My favourite supplier is Exeter-based Cotswold-Warmth.co.uk for a cool range of designer and practical radiators and towel warmers - classic design at an affordable price.
