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08 Dec 16

Shiplap bathroom inspiration

BlackwallsinthePowderBath StudioMcGee

This post is all about why I’m lusting over shiplap.We’re thick in the throws of designing the bathroom in the annex and during my daily drools over Pinterest I’ve come across a lot of Shiplap, which I am LOVING! Check out my board here for all my Shiplap inspiration. It’s a very American thing,  and talented design duo Studio McGee use it alot. (Check them out they have a lovely style to their projects). Probably because timber houses are common over the pond, but I think it’ll look perfect in our Timber new build. A lot of the Pinterest pins talk about Shiplap hacks, where you glue super thin strips of wood onto the wall to mock the effect. But as we’re designing from the build up I can do the real thing.

Black+shiplap+walls,+cement+tile+and+wood vanity Studio McGee

Image from Studio McGee

We’re going to plaster board the room out first and then pin 15 x 145mm planed pine planks all around the room, but here’s the thing, horizontally instead of vertically. In our small bathroom, which is 2200 x 2600 but 2600 tall, it will help to re proportion the space. My theory on small bathrooms is that you want to have as few finishes as possible to help create the calm. You also want to homogenise the space as much as possible in order not to clutter up the eye line. The most obvious way to do this is with tiles and large-scale tiles give fewer grout lines so are often a good choice for small bathrooms. But for me wall-to-wall tiles feel cold so I jumped on the idea of wall-to-wall timber cladding instead. Painted in an acrylic eggshell, it’s durable enough for above the sink and bath but not the shower, so that will be a tiled area.

Patterned+Floors+and+Shiplap+Walls+--+Studio+McGee +sophie+Robinson

Image of bathroom designed by Studio McGee

I bought the planks from the local timber merchant Wenban Smith and they’re fairly standard dimensions. They’ll need treating with knot solution, primer undercoat and top coat before we fit them as the wood will be prone to moving, so its best to seal it with paint first. A topcoat can then be applied when it’s in position.  But the most exciting bit is I suggested to my Mum that we paint then a charcoal grey/ black as it’ll look really sleek and cosy, and with the John Cullen lighting design, will look sooo effective. The tiny bathroom has got no less than 10 light fittings going in it. If you’re going to go dark then the lighting really comes into play. Anyway and she’s totally gone for it! Squelas of excitement, I might have even done a little cart wheel. Suddenly this little bathroom is the room I’m most excited about. It’s great how colour can do that. Follow our progress in my new instagram feed @myhouseinthewoods

If you have any tips for small bathrooms I’d love to hear them in the comments below.

 

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Before and after! This room took me on a real jour Before and after! This room took me on a real journey.
At first, I thought I needed a calm, blank space to focus… so I painted it all white. I know - can you believe it?! I told myself it was for clarity and creativity, but the truth is, I hated it. I felt flat and totally uninspired.

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