On the edge of white

A white bathroom always appears clean, fresh, light and spacious. However, most of us would agree that this specific shade isn't the easiest colour to live with or to look after.

Interior designer Brian Haftka was asked to renovate a dated bathroom in a traditional villa. The owners wanted their new bathroom to be light and white, and include a larger bath and separate shower.

"They visualised it all in white, which looks great, but isn't very practical, so instead we opted for subtle variations on the theme," says Haftka.

A slab of Carrara marble for the vanity top formed the basis of the colour scheme. Although Carrara marble is essentially white, charcoal and brown veins run through it.

Walls were painted in an off-white shade that carries a hint of grey to complement the marble, and vanity cabinetry was lacquered in a matt finish to match the wall and ceiling colour. High-gloss porcelain tiles were used in the shower enclosure and behind the bath.

"We painted these two surfaces in the same tone so we didn't attract the eye to the low stud height by having a break between the walls and ceiling," says the designer.

Charcoal porcelain tiles cover the bathroom floor and wrap up the front of the bath surround, helping to anchor the space.

Former storage became a large shower area and a longer, deeper bath now fills the width of the room. Bifold windows look onto the garden.

Story by: Mary Webb