By Charlie Tilbury and Rose Hanson
The modern-day bathroom has become a sanctuary in many homes, a place to relax and unwind in the bath or shower. From a design perspective, it needs to be practical and this is where bathrooms can become too sterile and bland.
At our design studio, Penrose Tilbury we find ways to inject personality and interest. This could be down to the simple decorative touches, such as the artwork and ambient lighting that can transform a cold bathroom into somewhere inviting.
Here are our tips on how we would approach the bathroom in this four-bedroom period townhouse in Exeter, on the market for £1.15mn, with beautiful period features, high ceilings and lots of natural light.
Strong foundations
It makes sense to start with the floor and build the scheme up from there. We love hunting for the perfect floor tiles — colourful ones look great in bathrooms and are often suitable for walls and underfloor heating. In this case, we would want to respect the age and character of the property and embrace traditional materials such as marble. These Rosso Levanto polished square marble tiles paired with Calacatta white tiles from Starel Stones would bring a striking and classical look to this bathroom floor. The deep red would also provide a pop of colour against the more neutral bathroom pieces.
Splash out
It’s worth splashing out (no pun intended) on decent taps and shower hardware as it makes the experience of using the bathroom feel so much more luxurious. We love these classic long nose basin pillar taps with black levers from Lefroy Brooks. They are timeless and elegant, and would elevate any style of basin.
Centre stage — the bath
Given the size of this bathroom, a freestanding bath would make a striking focal point. We are huge fans of London-based manufacturer and restorer The Water Monopoly for a showstopper, and here, its Paris bath would be our choice. It’s a reproduction of an early 20th-century French bath, and comes with or without feet.
Let there be light
As with any other room, lighting is key, and there is nothing worse than a harshly lit bathroom. This is a space for relaxation and one’s lighting choices should reflect that. We favour wall lights as they create a warmer ambience than a harsh overhead light. The Posent wall light from furniture designer Pinch introduces texture with its timber dish and handblown glass sphere design. The lights are inspired by candle sconces historically seen lining a monastery cloister and can be oriented up or down.
Privacy
The large sash window in this bathroom could benefit from window dressing. A café-style curtain would bring in softness and warmth, while providing privacy as well as allowing light to flood through. East London Cloth’s Alvington fabric would be an elegant choice paired with its beautiful solid brass poles.
Get decorative
Don’t save your favourite artwork for the living room. We spend a huge amount of time in our bathrooms so it’s worth having something you love on the walls. Be aware of possible water and steam damage — a print is often a safer option. This Greek urn print by Bridie Hall, available at Pentreath & Hall would bring a stylish touch to the room.
Photography: Knight Frank; Sarah Griggs; Bridie Hall
