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Project notes
The owners: Aliki Curimjee lives here with her husband, Riaz, who owns a property equity firm
The property: A 12th-century, grade I-listed Welsh Castle with a Georgian addition, in Aliki's family since 1656
The location: The Vale of Glamorgan, South Wales
Total spend: around £8,500
‘When my husband Riaz and I started our bathroom renovation, there were the usual design decisions to make and questions to consider,’ recalls Aliki.
‘What scheme would fit in with the style of the property? What colours should we choose? How did we want to use the space?’ But, as their home is a Grade I-listed castle dating from the 12th century, there was arguably even more pressure to get the design of the space right.
The couple wasted no time in calling in the experts to guide them through their decision-making process. ‘I found Dorian and Babette Bowen of Project One after searching online for good bathroom designers,’ remembers Aliki. ‘I knew after meeting with them that they understood what the makeover meant for us, as well as how the space needed to be used while fitting in perfectly with our home. It couldn’t be a bathroom that looked as if it had come from outer space, but we also didn’t want it to have too much of a period style that felt dated either.’
A dual-fuel radiator keeps the space warm and inviting without central heating. For similar try the Savoy heated towel rail from Victorian Plumbing
Project One designed the bath's stylish tiled surround to subtly reflect the views through the window opposite, adding to the relaxing ambience
Aliki's top tip is to spend good money on taps; these traditional-style Heritage basin pillar taps, in chrome from Heritage bathrooms, complement the Georgian aesthetic of the space
Custom-made wall panelling by Project One is painted in True Tundra by Crown Trade. The blind in John Lewis fabric is discreet enough to let light flood through the sash window which has been fitted with a new window seat
A classic pedestal basin and matching WC by Burlington Bathrooms are in keeping with the design brief for a contemporary look, while maintaining period character. A feature mirror from John Lewis and Barclay globe wall lights by Där Lighting add interest to the large expanse of wall. The Crosswater bath features a Heritage deck bath-shower mixer in a chrome finish that matches the taps and heated radiator. Walls painted in Fine Bean by Crown Trade, and Knight Tile vinyl flooring by Karndean, complete the scheme
The finished room
‘It’s all part and parcel of working with such a historic backdrop, but getting the right help and advice while working through a project like this also made the design and refit process as easy as it could be,’ Aliki explains. Aliki and Riaz were also fortunate to be able to remain living on site while the project was completed. ‘It was part of a two-bathroom refit that took six weeks in total,’ says Aliki, who was on hand throughout the process to oversee installation.
Now, the bathroom is used by Aliki and Riaz as well as guests. ‘I have a bathroom that I’m proud of, and I love to show it off to friends and family, as opposed to being embarrassed by its ancient brown predecessor!’ laughs Aliki. ‘Everything in the castle does a very long service, and we feel that the new design has a timeless look to it that should last us, we hope, at least another 40 years.’
The costs | Row 0 - Cell 1 |
| Labour, design and project management | £4,000 |
| Panelling (painted) | £2,500 |
| Fixtures and fittings | £880 |
| Accessories | £625 |
| Flooring | £580 |
| Painting | £155 |
| TOTAL | £8,740 |