Design & Interiors editor, Harjit Gammon looks at drawing on different traditions for informing and transforming the look of your own bathroom
In the west for most of the last century bathing has simply been about being clean, and has been carried out in sensually neutral spaces. Historically and in other countries and cultures, it was a different story. The Egyptians were ardent bathers, and so were the Romans, whose renowned baths were based on Egyptian precedents. The Greeks were keen bathers, too – Homer considered it polite to offer dinner guests a bath and a splash of perfume when they came to dine. But with the advent of Christianity, bathing became unpopular. It was too agreeable and sensual, and was bound therefore to lead the devout Christian astray. Thereafter, bathing became associated with licentiousness and eroticism. Bathing did not become acceptable again until the late-19th century when it was advised rather warily, in the name of hygiene and sanitation. Now, as the physical pleasures of bathing are once again acknowledged as so very appealing, Harjit Gammon asks: what is a blissful bathroom? And where you can source the look locally?
Turn it into the room you want to spend time in, feeding your senses and cleansing your mind, by kitting it out in a look that’s right for you: new or recycled, traditional or contemporary.
• Form and function are never as apposite as in a bathroom. Looks alone are not enough.
• Lift an inexpensive bath with designer taps.
• Basins can be statement pieces in their own right. Designs range from simple to sculptural; glass to concrete.
• Wet rooms have a liberating sensuality.
• Use tiles or panelling to create a wow factor.
Shopping around
Fired Earth, Warmington Mill, Eaglethorpe, Warmington, Peterborough, PE8 6TJ
Tel: 01832 280088 www.firedearth.com
Beautiful baths, basins, taps and tiles. Fired Earth offers a great design service including site visits, mood boards and elevation drawings. Installation is carried out by a team of qualified fitters, familiar with dealing with listed buildings.
Ashwell Interiors
14 Church Street, Oakham, Rutland Tel: 01572 757776
www.ashwellinteriors.co.uk
“We design for people, not houses – so your input is just as important as our expertise. A new bathroom will do more than change the way your house looks – it will change the way you live”.
De Novo Bathrooms
8 Glen Industrial Estate, Stamford Road, Essendine, Stamford PE9 4LE
Tel: 01780 481515 www.denovobathrooms.com
Mary Lamont, winner of last year’s Stamford and Rutland Mercury Business Personality of the Year award, has an infectious enthusiasm for bathrooms. She is constantly sourcing new suppliers and always has something new to offer. De Novo has a complete design and installation service and will pull out all the stops to make sure you have a perfectly finished bathroom.
Jackson Building Centre
48 Scotgate, Stamford PE9 2YQ Tel: 01780 764782
More than just a building centre, Jacksons has a central showroom with many designs on display. A great place for inspiration.
LTS Interiors
Brownlow Street, Stamford PE9 2EL
Tel: 01780 756350
www.ltsinteriors.co.uk
LTS Interiors supply designs from Villeroy and Boch, Hansgrohe, Dansani and Keuco from their large showroom. Their own team of bathroom installers undertake installations, working alongside architects, designers, builders and developers, for one off special projects or a full development site.
Porcelanosa
Dukesmead, Werrington, Peterborough,
PE4 6ZL Tel: 01733 325111
www.porcelanosa.co.uk Porcelanosa constantly offers new ranges of bathrooms and tiles.
Stamford Bathrooms
31 St Peter’s Street, Stamford PE9 2PF Tel: 01780 489289
Gordon Knox has a wealth of experience and knowledge of bathrooms and plumbing. An Aladdin’s Cave of fixtures and fittings is complemented by a full installation service and good old fashioned advice. Supplier of Shades, Mereway, Aqualisa and Image showers.
Lincolnshire Limestone Flooring
Swaddywell Road, Stamford. Tel: 01780 740852
www.lincolnshirelimestoneflooring.co.uk
What could be more natural and sensuous than having a natural stone flooring sourced from a local quarry – you will be amazed by the elegance of the look.
Delmari
Cockerell Road, Corby. Tel: 01536 206325 www.delmari.co.uk
Bathrooms, mirrors and tiles.