Stylish & Modern Grey Bathroom

Plans to upgrade her bathroom had been in Anna’s mind for quite some time. Her existing one was nearing the end of its life, and she was eager to address several issues, including the poorly-positioned basin, cramped, old-fashioned shower cubicle, and lack of storage. Following the recommendation of a friend who had been delighted with the new kitchen we had supplied to her, Anna called in to our showroom and met bathroom designer Olga Karpisz,

“I wanted a company where I could get advice and expertise, rather than just choosing fittings,” she says, “My friend had been impressed by Gardiner Haskins’ recommended fitters too, so that gave me confidence that the workmanship would be of a high standard.”

Anna wanted her new bathroom to feel clean and modern, and browsing  around our showroom, she spotted a WC and basin, both wall-mounted,  that ticked her boxes. She enjoys a relaxing soak, and as she chatted over her ideas with Olga, she described the type of bath she was considering – a contemporary style that gives the sense of being freestanding, while fitting closely to the wall, preventing dust and debris from collecting behind it. Although the model was not on display, Olga knew exactly which product Anna was referring to, and was able to source it for her without a problem.

The shower was another key component for Anna, who was looking for an updated design with more room, minimal structure, maximum glass and a low tray that sat as level with the floor as possible. She was delighted with Olga’s suggestions, and was especially taken with the halo-shaped Aio Aurajet showerhead she was shown. This striking design delivers a superb shower while using water efficiently,

“It was a little more expensive, but absolutely worth it,” says Anna, “I liked the stylish look and it gives a lovely, comfortable shower,”

Keen to get the most she could from the space, Olga worked through different layout options to fit in all the elements on Anna’s wish-list. The new design echoes the old one to some extent. The shower, bath and WC are in similar positions, which allowed the existing plumbing to be used, reducing upheaval and costs. The basin has moved across to the opposite wall. To one side is the durable stainless-steel towel-warmer, and the basin is mounted on a spacious, practical drawer. Anna also chose a large, mirrored cabinet to go above the basin, further increasing storage. The slimline cabinet has mirrors on both sides of the doors, adjustable shelves and charging sockets for shavers and toothbrushes.

In line with the sleek, simple look she had in mind, Anna opted for fully- tiled walls, and decided on smart, charcoal-grey rectangular tiles that let the white sanitaryware stand out. For the floor, she picked a practical wood-look vinyl that chimes with the wood finish of the under-basin drawer and adds a touch of warmth and softness.

Once all the items were finalised, Anna recalls a smooth ordering and installation process, and the entire project from initial enquiries to completion took about five months. She was pleased with the quality of the fitting, and especially impressed by the neat, skilful work of the tiler and floor-fitter. She is now enjoying the new room’s clean, luxurious feel and appreciating  smaller, thoughtful design details, like the WC’s discreet gunmetal-grey flushplate, and the shower’s additional handspray and tiled alcove for soaps and shampoos,

“When you open the door, it looks so smart and fresh and everything works really well,” she says, “Olga picked up so quickly on what I wanted, and worked hard to find the right products for me. Everything she suggested came up trumps.”

Bathroom Details

Designer: Olga Karpisz

Bathroom type: Modern

Wall tiles:  Castle Grigio, Tileflair

Flooring: Ingrid, Malmo Flooring

Bath: Ebb bath, Waters

Bathroom Furniture: Aeon Range in Sherwood Oak with ceramic basin, HiB Novum 

Bathroom Cabinet: Ether Ambient LED, HiB

Tap: Pava, Marflow

Shower System: Aio, Methven

Towel rail: Ardingly, JIS

WC: Resort range, RAK Ceramics

All imagery contained in this case study was taken by Colin, PhotoWord.