A separate shower room was at the top of Keeley Wilson’s wish list after six years of sharing a family bathroom. ‘Our kids love showers and our bathroom was becoming too crowded at busy periods,’ she says.
As part of a substantial two-storey extension, she got the chance to change the cloakroom into a shower room. ‘It wasn’t massive and we knew we’d have to be clever with the design.’
A window was an essential and the couple carefully planned the potential layout. ‘Because of the position of the door, the shower had to be to the right. So it was easy to see the right spots for the sink and toilet.’
A bit about me...
Who lives here? Keeley Wilson, 41, a hair and make-up artist, lives in a three-bedroom 1930s semi in Hampton, south-west London. She lives with her husband, Alan McKenna, 47, an actor, son Archie, 11, and daughter, Violet, seven, as well as their dog, Harper.
What was wrong with the old bathroom? ‘It was tiny with an old beige sink and toilet, and no window. There was no storage and it was dark and dingy.’
Keeley chose a contemporary basin and toilet and wanted them both to be set into units and up off the floor, but couldn’t find exactly what she wanted online.
‘I had a stroke of good luck because a friend was re-doing her bathroom and had two white units she didn’t want. I knew I could upcycle them and get the builder to adapt them.’
With the pieces in place, it was time for Keeley, who works with colour all day long in her business, The Beauty Collective, to add her signature touch. ‘Every decision came from the floral wallpaper,’ she says.
Picking out the shocking pink for the units, Keeley painted them in a traditional oil gloss. ‘I was thrilled with the way they came out – they look like designer items. No-one can believe that I didn’t buy them in a swanky shop.’
A bit about my bathroom...
What do you like most about the bathroom? ‘The fact that it’s so colourful and vibrant. The wallpaper was the starting point for the whole scheme. I bought it before any work started and I still love it.’
What are your top tips? ‘Spend money where it’s important – the shower, toilet, basin and tiles – but look out for items you can upcycle.’
Opting to keep two of the walls plain white, Keeley searched for tiles to go inside the shower and above the basin as a splashback.
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‘I wanted a deep, luxurious greeny blue with a shine and I found a colour that was within the wallpaper. Because of that, I kept the floor tiles white, although I did choose a big format to make it feel bigger.’
The wallpaper also led Keeley to choose towels in bold colours, as well as fun accessories in yellows, pinks and blues. ‘We all love it in there now.’
Keeley's shopping list
Lumin8 Inswing shower enclosure, £929.05; square tray, 800mm x 800mm, £184.58, both Roman Showers. Platinum dual ceiling-fed shower, £552, Mira Showers. Vessel square basin, £183; Tec single lever wall-mounted basin mixer, £108; Grace rimless wall-hung WC, £579; Revive radiator in anthracite, £309, all Hudson Reed. Lampas Peacock wall tiles, £59.56 per sq m; Timeless Neutrals in white gloss floor tiles, £40.17 per sq m, both Topps Tiles. Units painted in Leather Traditional Oil Gloss, £33 per litre, Little Greene. Walls painted in Pure Brilliant White, £9.99 for 2.5l, Dulux. Oak blind, £23; artificial flower sprays, £3 each, both Dunelm. Hammam towels, £18 each, Drift Linens. Gold mirror, £20; yellow bulldog, £8; birds, £3 each; blue bucket, £10; hand towels, £5 each, all TK Maxx. Hook rack, £18, Flying Tiger
