Finalists - Designer Award for Bathrooms - project cost over £15,000

Michelle Pabarcius - Design Solutions

Cost: £15,000

What Michelle says: “I was able to maximise the interior space and create something that is unique, beautiful, efficient, and practical. This reflects not only the owner’s needs and desires but also the ambience and the attention to detail that the rest of the flat now has. The space began as one and became two, and each bathroom has its own identity.”

What the judges say: “It’s great to see a new project that embraces a traditional style in such an impressive way.”

Michelle’s clients wanted to transform their London flat but rather than go for a contemporary look they wanted lots of detail in the 17th century French style they loved. The entire first floor was to serve as the master bedroom suite with two bathrooms - his and hers - linked through the bedroom.
The result is a stylish tribute to the period but underlying it is an impressive project management and installation job. This involved re-arranging the layout of the whole floor.

Jo Bush - Evitavonni

Cost: £98,000

What Jo says: “This was an exceptionally exciting project to work on because as the space was to be a guest bathroom I had a much freer rein than usual. The homeowners were also very open to statement pieces and really bold design ideas, there were lots of hurdles to overcome architecturally, but I’m so glad now I see the final result.”

What the judges say: “A very dramatic and theatrical bathroom that is a real statement piece and a great interpretation of the brief.”

Jo’s brief was to turn what was once a soulless unused room into a unique and atmospheric bathroom for guests. She has come up with a real statement piece with bespoke sunken bath and monochrome colours coupled with dramatic lighting that can create different moods and atmospheres. But while the final result is aesthetically interesting, the work that went into reshaping the room and installing the bath as well as vaulted ceiling really impressed the judges.

Sarah Ireland - Sarah Ireland Bathrooms

Cost: £29,000

What Sarah says: “I could see the finished shape straight away, a tall curved wall built out from the left hand corner, spilling around and down into a bath area. The view is of the front landscaped gardens so to make the most of it I raised the bath to allow the user a perfect scene.”

What the judges say: “A real statement room, and she hasn’t gone for the obvious linear options but has really thought the layout through. - there’s a lot of bathroom there for the money.”

A new en suite created from an office was the brief for Sarah, combined with a large showering space for two keen walkers. The room is narrow but Sarah has broken the width using curved Wedi board lines and used natural tones to create drama. There are also lots of small interesting details, for example the top of the shower walls were finished off with a slab of slate with bull nosed edges and a curved overhang section.

Tim Baber - Yellow Duck Interiors

Cost: £22,000
plus installation

What Tim says: “The tiling was an important part; I wanted to make an impact visually. but keep it muted and elegant. The overall finish is muted but not compromising on beauty - as is the zebrano wood of the furniture.”

What the judges say: “Stylish, simple and built around the clever product choices - Tim has made a great use of the space and it complements the property really well. He’s also got the client real value for money too.”

Tim’s brief was to create a luxurious master en suite that is modern in feel yet sits well within the spectacular Regency manor house. The Castello bath from the Axor Massuad collection takes centre stage but the basin vanity with its zebrano finish was designed by Tim. The mirror above the double basin arrangement is also custom-made to allow the client to reuse the traditional light fixtures.