What if your bathroom didn’t feel like a regular home’s bathroom, but more like that of a dazzling hotel suite? That’s the look interior stylist and designer Amy Adams was going for when she started designing this space in her five-bedroom Edwardian home…
She, her husband John – a builder and property developer – and four children have lived in the property for seven years, having managed to renovate most of it over time. “John and I make a good team,” says Amy. “We have completely refurbished the house, changing the layout and extending the first floor to accommodate our large family.” Naturally, the bathroom redesign was the last piece of the puzzle.
In the former layout, the toilet was in a separate room, and there was mould all over the ceiling. These two areas have now been knocked into one, creating a larger space with better ventilation.
“My intention was for it to feel like we’d escaped to a fancy hotel,” explains Amy. “John and I both love having a bath to unwind in; we wanted to be able to retreat to a beautiful bathroom for a bit of peace and quiet from our noisy household.” The teal wall succeeds in bringing this sense of calm, while the nostalgic chest of drawers, minimalist black-and-white tub, and checkerboard maroon-and-cream flooring adds plenty of character.
Creative ideas for the bathroom redesign
Amy describes the aesthetic as traditional with a twist. You can see her creative way of thinking in the curved shower enclosure – once a former linen cupboard – that makes you feel you’re about to enter your very own cubicle of bliss. “The enclosure looks great, but there was a lot of head-scratching to form this curved wall,” says Amy. “Anything that is a bit ‘out there’ in terms of design always brings its challenges; but it was so worth it.”
As well as looking very stylish, the bathroom was redesigned to withstand any damages caused by the couple’s four children. For instance, the mouldings installed behind the bath and the skirting boards are all splashproof, with Amy explaining that they look like wood but are made from water-resistant synthetic materials.
The result? A tasteful bathroom that has the same effect and sense of escapism as a boutique hotel. “We are over the moon,” says Amy. “The months of planning paid off and the bathroom makes us smile every time we walk in.”
Photography: Adam Carter | Styling: Amy Adams
This house tour was featured in the July 2024 issue of Kitchens Bedrooms & Bathrooms magazine.