Room Tour: A Long, Thin Bathroom Overhauled With Great Planning
A tired and gloomy bathroom in an Arts and Crafts house becomes an elegant, well-planned space
When Robert and Donna Trapnell set about transforming their bathroom, they knew the long, narrow space could be tricky to plan, especially as the house has listed-building status.
“We needed to create a light, airy feel that would adapt to the changing requirements of a young family while acknowledging the property’s strong architectural style,” explains Chris Payne, senior designer at Ripples, who took on the project.
“We needed to create a light, airy feel that would adapt to the changing requirements of a young family while acknowledging the property’s strong architectural style,” explains Chris Payne, senior designer at Ripples, who took on the project.
A large, walk-in shower is fitted neatly beside the bath, providing a very generous showering area.
“A hinged panel on the end of the shower screen prevents water splashing everywhere and can be folded back when not in use, to give the space back to the room,” Chris says.
“Placing the shower over the bath was an option, but it would have been a compromise for both, resulting in neither being particularly effective. This design provides a large, comfortable bath solely for bathing and a spacious, comfortable, walk-in shower area.”
“A hinged panel on the end of the shower screen prevents water splashing everywhere and can be folded back when not in use, to give the space back to the room,” Chris says.
“Placing the shower over the bath was an option, but it would have been a compromise for both, resulting in neither being particularly effective. This design provides a large, comfortable bath solely for bathing and a spacious, comfortable, walk-in shower area.”
The left wall of the room was built out to conceal supply and waste pipes for the basin and shower. This has also allowed niches to be recessed for shower storage and an inset mirror above the basin.
The mirror helps to maximise the light from the windows opposite. “As with most bathrooms, natural light is highly desirable,” Chris says. “As the property is listed, the windows could not be altered in any way.
“Fortunately, the original, leaded Arts and Crafts windows were large and in good condition and, although facing west, they provide plentiful natural light and catch the evening setting sun beautifully,” he says.
The mirror helps to maximise the light from the windows opposite. “As with most bathrooms, natural light is highly desirable,” Chris says. “As the property is listed, the windows could not be altered in any way.
“Fortunately, the original, leaded Arts and Crafts windows were large and in good condition and, although facing west, they provide plentiful natural light and catch the evening setting sun beautifully,” he says.
The frameless glass shower screen keeps the space as open as possible. Underfloor heating quickly dries any splashed water.
Curium 19H walk-in shower enclosure with 800mm fixed panel and 300mm hinged panel, theshowerlab.
Find out why you should make space for this unexpected bathroom item
Curium 19H walk-in shower enclosure with 800mm fixed panel and 300mm hinged panel, theshowerlab.
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A wall-hung vanity unit offers plenty of practical storage, while the recessed mirror creates a small shelf area for toiletries.
Burgbad Eqio cabinetry, Ripples.
Burgbad Eqio cabinetry, Ripples.
Modern brassware in slender shapes adds to the elegant ambience of the bathroom.
Axor Citterio M three-hole basin mixer in chrome, Hansgrohe.
Axor Citterio M three-hole basin mixer in chrome, Hansgrohe.
A large, fixed rose and separate hand shower create a flexible arrangement that can suit different users as the family grows.
Raindance Air shower head with wall arm, Hansgrohe.
Discover excellent frameless shower enclosure ideas for every budget
Raindance Air shower head with wall arm, Hansgrohe.
Discover excellent frameless shower enclosure ideas for every budget
The tiled recesses in the shower wall are decorative as well as a practical areas for standing toiletries.
“I wanted to pay homage to the architectural style of the property in a subtle but practical way,” Chris says. “The niches in the shower area provide storage for soaps and shampoos and can only be seen when you’re showering. The backs are covered with patterned, encaustic tiles that add a slightly quirky detail in what is, essentially, a simple space.”
“I wanted to pay homage to the architectural style of the property in a subtle but practical way,” Chris says. “The niches in the shower area provide storage for soaps and shampoos and can only be seen when you’re showering. The backs are covered with patterned, encaustic tiles that add a slightly quirky detail in what is, essentially, a simple space.”
The double-ended bath sits neatly at the far end of the room, with the side panel clad in white metro tiles to blend seamlessly with the walls and enhance the feeling of space.
“Solid oak shelves either side of the ‘chimney’ provide a good amount of display and help to soften the bathroom,” Chris explains.
Starlet double-ended steel bath, Bette. Exafill combined bath filler and overflow; Secuflex pull-out hand shower; Massaud deck-mounted, thermostatic mixer and diverter, all Hansgrohe.
“Solid oak shelves either side of the ‘chimney’ provide a good amount of display and help to soften the bathroom,” Chris explains.
Starlet double-ended steel bath, Bette. Exafill combined bath filler and overflow; Secuflex pull-out hand shower; Massaud deck-mounted, thermostatic mixer and diverter, all Hansgrohe.
A pull-out hand shower at the end of the bath adds to the flexibility of the bathing area.
The metro-tiled wall leads the eye directly from the door, past the basin to the shower and bath beyond, in one continuous sweep.
“It gives the appearance of continuity through the different areas and makes the space feel larger and less segregated,” says Chris.
“It gives the appearance of continuity through the different areas and makes the space feel larger and less segregated,” says Chris.
The neat, wall-hung toilet is tucked out of sight beside the door, so only the basin, shower and bath are visible when entering the room.
Kartell wall-hung WC and soft-close seat, Laufen.
Kartell wall-hung WC and soft-close seat, Laufen.
Washed timber-effect flooring, white metro tiles and grey accents create a sophisticated look.
“The owners had recently moved into the property and were redecorating other areas, so I took my prompt from these,” Chris says. “The feel had to be fresh, neutral, but interesting and comfortable.”
The porcelain timber-effect floor tiles have a warm, grey finish that blends in with the neutral décor. They’re practical, too, and extend seamlessly to form the shower floor.
Tell us…
What do you think of this bathroom? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
“The owners had recently moved into the property and were redecorating other areas, so I took my prompt from these,” Chris says. “The feel had to be fresh, neutral, but interesting and comfortable.”
The porcelain timber-effect floor tiles have a warm, grey finish that blends in with the neutral décor. They’re practical, too, and extend seamlessly to form the shower floor.
Tell us…
What do you think of this bathroom? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
Who lives here Robert and Donna Trapnell and their two young sons
Location Bristol
Property A 1901 semi-detached Arts and Crafts house, designed by architect Henry Dare Bryan, with six bedrooms and three bathrooms
Bathroom dimensions 4.34 x 2.4m
Designer Chris Payne, senior designer at Ripples Bristol
The bathroom, located on the first floor, was originally destined to be the ‘main bathroom’, but the owners decided to use it for their eldest son instead.
“The space is long and thin with windows occupying much of one wall,” says Chris Payne. “It was also misshapen, having at some point been two separate rooms.
“The bathroom fittings were dotted around the room: the basin was perched between the two windows, with the bath and shower pushed into opposite corners. It was a good example of a bathroom having being fitted, not designed.”
The key to the improved layout was designing a large, walk-in shower directly beside the bath, with both functions blending seamlessly thanks to careful planning and a neutral colour scheme.
Olga polished stainless steel towel warmer, Bisque. All fixtures and fittings listed throughout are available from Ripples.