Transforming Your Bathroom into a Restorative Retreat
As an interiors writer, stylist, and designer, I’ve always been fascinated by the way our homes can become sanctuaries for our minds and bodies. And for me, the bathroom is one of the most important rooms in the house when it comes to cultivating a sense of serenity and wellbeing.
You see, I’ve been living with a rather uninspiring bathroom for the past five years. It’s a chilly, poorly-fitted space that’s far from the tranquil oasis I’d been craving. But all that’s about to change. As part of our upcoming home extension, I’ll be working with the experts at ABC Home to design my dream spa-like bathroom – a serene sanctuary where I can escape the stresses of the day and truly unwind.
Bid Farewell to the Functional Bathroom
When these Victorian terraced houses were first built, the bathroom was very much an afterthought – a cramped, utilitarian space tacked onto the back of the property. Back then, the humble flush toilet was just becoming more widely used, and bathrooms were still seen as a luxury, reserved only for the wealthy.
Most residents would have made do with a tin bath by the fire or ventured out to the local public baths. It wasn’t until the 1900s that bathrooms and toilets started migrating upstairs, becoming a standard fixture in middle-class homes. Even for working-class households, it was a relatively late development.
So it’s no wonder that my current bathroom feels so outdated and ill-fitting with our modern lifestyles. Gone are the days when the bathroom was purely a functional space for getting clean. Nowadays, we demand so much more from this room. We want it to be a true sanctuary – a place to restore, rejuvenate, and rebalance our minds and bodies.
Crafting a Calm, Spa-Like Oasis
As I’ve been planning the design for my new bathroom, I’ve been really intentional about creating a space that feels like a true oasis of calm. No more drab, chilly rooms – this bathroom is going to be a serene, spa-like retreat.
The key to achieving this? Layers of texture and soothing, nature-inspired tones. I’ve been working closely with the team at ABC Home to curate a palette of calming greens, soft whites, and natural materials that will come together to craft a truly tranquil atmosphere.
At the heart of the design are the Liquid tiles by VitrA Bathrooms and Tom Dixon. Inspired by the fluid, organic forms found in nature, these curved tiles will create a beautiful focal point in the shower area, with their undulating lines and subtle sage-green hue. Surrounding them, I’ll be using matte, off-white square tiles to keep things clean and simple, with a touch of dark green grout adding just a hint of contrast and visual interest.
To bring in even more natural texture, we’ll be using a stone-effect porcelain tile on the floor. The gentle patterns and earthy tones will help to ground the space, while the brushed nickel brassware will add a soft, muted metallic accent.
And of course, no serene bathroom sanctuary would be complete without plenty of storage. I’ll be incorporating the minimalist, modular Voyage range from VitrA Bathrooms, with its warm wooden finishes providing a lovely contrast to the crisp white cabinetry.
Separating the Practical from the Restorative
One of the key challenges with this bathroom project has been finding the right balance between the practical and the restorative. After all, the bathroom needs to function efficiently, while also providing a true retreat from the stresses of daily life.
To achieve this, we’ve decided to separate the toilet from the main bathroom area. This not only helps to optimize the flow and layout of the space, but also allows me to dedicate the larger room solely to the restorative elements – the freestanding bathtub positioned beneath the window, the luxurious shower, and the calming vanity unit.
By compartmentalizing the more utilitarian aspects, I can really focus on crafting a truly tranquil, spa-like environment in the main bathroom. It’s going to be a space where I can truly unwind, indulge in long, therapeutic soaks, and emerge feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.
Bringing the Vision to Life
As an interiors professional, I’ve had the privilege of working on many design projects over the years. But this bathroom renovation is something I’ve been dreaming about for a long time. It’s a chance to create a true oasis of calm, right in the heart of my own home.
And I have to say, the collaborative process with the team at ABC Home has been an absolute joy. From our initial meetings to discuss the concept, to the virtual reality experience that allowed me to step into the space and see the design come to life, they’ve been invaluable partners in bringing my vision to reality.
Of course, there’s still a lot of work to be done before the final result is revealed. The extension and renovation process is bound to be chaotic and disruptive. But you know what? I honestly can’t wait. Because I know that when it’s all said and done, I’ll have the serene sanctuary I’ve been longing for – a bathroom that not only looks and feels beautiful, but that truly nourishes my soul.
So stay tuned, my friends. I’ll be taking you along on this journey with me, sharing all the ups and downs, the challenges and the triumphs. Because I firmly believe that our homes have the power to soothe our spirits and restore our wellbeing. And this bathroom is going to be the ultimate testament to that.
