Wallow in Luxury

Chase Magazine - Winter Edition 2007 - Interiors

The British obsession with bathing is a global phenomenon, rivalled only by our love of Roast Beef. Americans cannot understand it and many Europeans do not see the necessity to spend so long wallowing, but you really cannot beat a good soak in piping hot water, plenty of bubbles, book in hand and maybe a small G&T on the side!

Bathroom design has come a long way in recent years. Cutting edge finishes are no longer the preserve of the rich. High St Retailers now include incredible designs to challenge those of even the bathroom guru’s such as Phillipe Stark.

The important thing with any bathroom is to ensure that is an enjoyable area to be in, but ultimately it must be practical – easy to use and easy to clean. There is no point having a great hand basin if you cannot get to it for hand towels and potions, but ensure that there are a few personal touches to avoid it feeling clinical and unloved. Storage is always really important and there are now an incredible range of cupboards and cabinets, dual purpose mirrored cabinets always help and increase the feeling of space in any bathroom.

If you have room do install a separate bath and shower. This is not only practical for multi-tasking families, but helps add value if you are looking at resale. However, if you only have room for a bath, consider one of the new “bath with a bump” in one end, which work best with a custom fit glass shower screen. These allow you more room for a shower, avoiding knocking those elbows and struggling with a damp curtain. Also a word of advice – do not be afraid to try the bath out in the showroom we are not talking skinning dipping here, but do sit and relax in it. You need to feel comfortable in it and be warned some of the newer designs can be form over function!

You want your room to be warm and inviting, but not fuggy and dull. So careful attention must be paid to the lighting you chose and your methods of heating & ventilation.

When it comes to lighting there are two important points to consider practicality and ambience. There is no point having a beautiful bathing oasis with sensual lighting if the lady of the house cannot do her make up or a gent cannot see to shave! The best way to achieve both is to consider an overall scheme with flexibility, that can be enhanced by some specific high intensity lighting, such as mirrors with integrated lights – you can even get shaving/makeup mirrors to suite these days for under at £100 still on the pricey side, but the impact is incredible. Recess spots remain the practical and stylish choice for most people with the added benefit of emphasising ceiling height. Look for recess spot lights that can be angled rather than just pointing straight down, to allow you to highlight particular decorative features (such as a favourite vase or picture).

Traditional radiators take up valuable wall space and tend to be an eyesore, so remove them and replace with a heated towel rail to provide storage and efficient heating. They come in all shapes, sizes and finishes. Chrome is the most universal to match any colour scheme. To ensure the luxury of warm, dry towels throughout the year buy a dual fuel version (powered by your central heating in the winter and electricity in the summer). Tiles always the best floor covering to have, but can feel cold (especially when nipping out of the shower), so look at whether it is possible for you to install under-floor heating (smaller rooms can be accommodated with a mesh that you lay under the tiles). If you can, this is an investment you will NEVER regret.

If you are looking at ditching the bath and concentrating on a shower then aim for a walk-in shower enclosure with a double size tray (no less than 1400mm) so you can make the most of the experience. Avoid shower curtains as these can be unsightly and cling to you when you least expect. Opt instead for plain glass shower walls, these are less fussy and allow the eye to travel beyond them, elongating your view. Keep them effortlessly spotless by using a daily spray shower cleaner. If you are feeling a little indulgent consider an all in one unit that acts as a steam sauna as well. They are often furnished with multiple heads for an ultimate shower experience. A little tardis like in appearance, but a lot of fun to use!

Small bathrooms require more careful planning, so create space with clean lines, clever storage and optical illusions. Consider if you really need a bath. The market no longer demands this in smaller properties and a cramped bathroom can be turned into a good sized shower or wet room. The latter is a fully tiled room with a wall-shower fitting and drainage in the floor, but no shower tray. They are popular in contemporary design, giving a great illusion of space. However, plan carefully to avoid plumbing disasters and to ensure that your toilet roll does not get soaked at the same time as you do!

If you do want a bath in a small room, many retailers offer shorter versions 1500cm or even 1200cm, rather than 1700cm. Wall-mounting the WC and hand-basin gives the illusion of a bigger room by visually maximising your floor. However, the plumbing for these can be trickier, as it involves sinking pipes into the walls. Corner WCs and basins are a great choice to fit items into dead space, particularly next to doors. Opting for a smaller hand-basin can also be attractive, yet practical if its primary use is to clean your teeth and hands.

When decorating any bathroom, keep colours light and bright, with themes running through floors, walls and ceilings. If you have good sized windows, do use unfussy window dressings to soften the overall effect. The best trick with tiling is to use large, plain tiles to give the impression of space, rather than small or patterned tiles which can look very busy in enclosed areas.

Finally, coloured suites should be avoided at all cost – what ever you do keep it white, white, white!

Jamie Hempsall is one of region’s leading interior designers and an Associate of the British Interior Design Association (BIDA).

For more examples of his work visit him at www.jamiehempsall.com or contact him by telephone 01777 248463 or e-mail: studio@jamiehempsall.com