I was in Milan in April and popped into Piero Portaluppi’s Villa Necchi, which has one of the all-time great bathrooms. It’s so thoughtfully designed — why do we still treat this as the most utilitarian room in the house?
A marble sanctum in a grand Milanese residence might not be realistic for most of us, but surely we can do better than an in-between space for furious tooth-brushing and a five-minute shower? It’s a space you use multiple times a day.
Here are 10 tips for creating a bathroom you’ll be sad to leave every morning.
1. DO work with what you’ve got. I promise that Balearic plaster grotto you saw on Pinterest won’t look the same in your two-up, two-down in London. Think about what’s appropriate for the architecture of your house — stripped floorboards and a freestanding tub are a winner in a Victorian or Georgian bathroom.
2. DON’T cheap out on sanitaryware. I know, it’s tempting, but if you go for the £100 option you’re sure to run into issues within a year or two. Vola is a Danish brand that does sleek, minimalist taps, it’s a great option. The Water Monopoly would be my pick for a classic-meets-contemporary look, and Barber Wilsons is the name to know for the true traditionalists.
3. DO get samples of finishes before ordering. If you mix and match (I’m all for it) consider that there is often little consistency in naming conventions. All bets are off for anything antique or reclaimed.
4. DON’T use tadelakt, it’s a pain to maintain.
It’s fine if you’re in sunny Morrocco but so many people I know have had issues with water damage from not looking after it perfectly. If the plaster gets damaged you’re facing a major re-do.
5. DO use Forcrete. It has the same lime-plaster effect everyone’s after, but it’s a micro-cement so much more hardwearing. Neat, seamless, easy.
6. DON’T skimp on storage. A recessed mirror cabinet is a trusty space saver, while an antique washstand or glass-fronted vitrine with shelving adds character to a bathroom in a period home. Do a double vanity with two separate sinks.
7. DO have fun in a second bathroom. If you’re sorted on the practical front with a big family space, you can justify a “jewel box” approach for the WC under the stairs. Why not do something radical, like wall-to-wall mosaic or mirrors? I wouldn’t rule out a big gold swan if you’re keen on kitsch.
8. DON’T treat your bathroom as a single zone. Top hotels are brilliant at creating a sense of division in their en suites, whether it’s a reeded glass partition to obscure the toilet or a step up to a freestanding bath.
9. DO go to Balineum. It’s a one-stop bathroom heaven for fixtures and finishes, including a wide range of decorative hand-painted tiles. Founder Sarah Watson will help you pick out some fabulous stuff. Visits to the north London studio are by appointment only.
10. DON’T underestimate the power of a lick of paint. I went for a mustard yellow in the bathroom of my old rental, and my current downstairs one is lime green. Swap old towels for new ones from Autumn Sonata, sustainably woven in Portugal.
