The Professional Interior

Design Course
Tutorial Seven

INTERIOR
DESIGN
Copyright 2002. J Morris. Revised 2021. Licensed in Britain to International News Syndicate.
 INDEX

Page

Introduction 3
Residential Kitchen Design 3
Self Excercise #1 8
Designer Profile – A Kitchen Designer 9
Current Trends – Kitchen and Bathroom 12
Benchtops 14
Learning From The Experts… Advice From Leading Designers 16
Glossary of Kitchen Terms 17
Introduction to Bathroom Design 20
Bathroom Tips 22
How to be a successful interior designer in the UK. What qualities will
set you apart? 26
Planning a Kitchen 28

Please note: To enhance your learning experience, the course material contains many links to
external sites and documents. While every effort is made to ensure links are active and up to date,
there may be occasions when you find a link is broken or has changed/been redirected,
either legitimately or due to poor domain management by the site owner.
If you see any broken or misdirected links in your tutorial, please contact us at
[email protected] and we will happily assist you.
Incorrect links will be promptly updated.
A further reminder: self-exercises are for your personal benefit and
are not required for submission to the College.
2
Introduction

The kitchen and bathrooms of a home are the most

complex areas for the designer and where a large
proportion of the budget for both new homes and
design in action
renovations is spent; hence this tutorial is devoted
entirely to kitchen and bathroom design.

These days, kitchens and bathrooms are no longer

merely functional spaces in which to prepare food and
attend to personal hygiene. With most kitchens now
open plan, they are often striking design statements that
need, nonetheless, to sit comfortably and seamlessly
within the living area of the home. Bathrooms are no
longer merely hygienic white or pink tiled boxes but
often luxurious spaces in which to escape from life’s
hustle and bustle and take personal time out – rather
like a private health spa.

As so many trades are involved, and materials used

in these areas are expensive, it is important to advise Wood surfaces in the kitchen are
your client carefully on the proportion of the budget making a comeback. Unlike the
required for the kitchen and bathroom. Are they having wood-panelled cabinets of yesteryear,
the kitchen and bathroom redesigned then planning
this latest iteration favours a more
to sell (in which case they should be careful not to
streamlined, minimal style. Timber
overcapitalise) or are they planning to remain in the
same home for many years (in which case it would be offers a natural warmth, unlike other
acceptable to overcapitalise as it would be a worthwhile finishes like stainless steel.
investment in quality of life)?

When calculating the project cost ensure you include all trades and small items such as cupboard handles
which are inexpensive individually but can add up to a surprisingly large amount in multiple quantities.

Lastly, when designing kitchen areas, let common sense and convenience prevail, and remove any issues
that limit the space at present, for instance, lack of light, electrical power, bench space and appliances.

The design of any space should always begin with what can’t be changed. In a kitchen, this is often the
plumbing, either because of the expense of moving it or because the house in on a concrete slab, limiting the
position of the kitchen sink.

Do not let an existing layout constrain you. For instance, pipes, walls and windows, depending upon your
clients’ budget, it may be possible to work with tradespeople to change these.

Residential Kitchen Design

As the mission control centre of the home, the kitchen must be efficient and functional. As the hub of
family life, it should also be joyful, welcoming and uplifting – providing food for the soul, not just the
table.

You should always aim for a ‘work triangle’ between the refrigerator, sink and stove, with the sink at
the apex of the triangle and no objects to walk around between the three points. This arrangement is
recommended for maximum convenience and safety, allowing the occupants to move freely between the
three activity centres.
3
The main food preparation area should be between the sink and the stove or cooktop and large enough to
serve up a meal comfortably.

Even small kitchens can be remarkably efficient and easy to work in if the layout is right. Here are six basic
layouts that work well for different room dimensions:

The Galley Kitchen

This is the layout preferred by many professional chefs. Comprised of counters on both sides of the room
with a corridor down the middle, this layout provides generous amounts of bench space. It works best if the
corridor is closed off at one end, as congestion can result if people are constantly walking through.

The Island Kitchen

This layout is ideal in large, open plan areas adjoining a living or dining area. This layout gives a feeling of
openness and allows guests to interact socially with the cook while staying out of the way on the opposite
side of the island.

The L-Shaped Kitchen

This is a versatile layout which also combines well

with a living area and is suited to a large or long,
narrow space. It also allows space for a dining table
design in action
to be included without interfering with the routes
between the corners of the work triangle. If not sited
against a wall, one leg of the ‘L’ can also act as a
breakfast bar.

The U-Shaped Kitchen

Grouping units and appliances around three sides of

a room, the U-shaped kitchen is safe, efficient, offers
maximum storage and is suited to either medium
of small rooms. In a very large space, however, the
work areas may be too far apart for comfort.

This island kitchen in all white has

The Perimeter Kitchen
a bright, clean effect; set of nicely by
In the perimeter kitchen, fittings on four sides the pop of blue. This shape is perfect
surround a central open floor area. In this case, it for an open-plan space, allowing for
is best to place the refrigerator, sink and stove at the kitchen to become more of a social
one end of the room so the occupants can navigate space. The island can even act as a
between them easily, especially if the room has a dining area if needed.
central workbench or dining table they need to avoid
walking around.

4
The One-Wall Kitchen

This is a single unit placed against one wall. This

design in action
layout is ideal for many small apartments and
terrace houses. The entire length should be at
least three metres to ensure sufficient benchtop
space. You could consider an under counter
refrigerator to maximise the worktop area. If
desired, the entire kitchen can be screened off
using folding doors or partitions.

Kitchen Planning

To develop the plan of a kitchen, it is important

to take into consideration the various activities
that may be performed there. These can include:

• Food storage, preparation and clean-up

• Cooking, serving food This kitchen features a cooktop set into
• Eating some or all meals the island, complete with rangehood. This
• Planning and household management, e.g. opens the food preparation area up to the
paying of bills rest of the room. It also has a nice visual
• Entertaining, e.g. serving of drinks and hors effect. However, practical considerations
d’oevres before guests are seated at the dining do apply. For example, it might not be the
table best positioning for a family with young
• Children’s homework or adult study children, where you would want the
• Recreation, e.g. playing board games, listening cooking area to be less accessible.
to the radio, watching television

In addition, many kitchens in smaller terrace houses and apartments also need to incorporate a laundry
equipment. Also, some clients will have specialist needs, such as:

• Adaptation for disabilities

• Wine storage
• A cookbook library

Next, look at the work triangle, the path users take to walk from the food storage area (fridge/freezer) to the
preparation area (the sink) to the cooking area (the cooktop, not a wall oven), then back to storage. Draw the
triangle on your draft floor plan and measure the length of each side then add them up.

Ideally, the total length of the triangle should be between 3.6m and 6.6m; any less and the kitchen will be
too cramped, any more and it will be tiring to work in. To save maximum energy, the side of the triangle
between the cooktop and sink should be quite short. The work triangle should not be interrupted by any
island units or tall units.

Each point of the triangle should incorporate set down space and preparation space on the adjoining
benchtop to create three work centres within the kitchen.

5
1. Refrigerator and Food Storage Centre

This work centre should include the fridge/freezer for storage of perishable food plus cabinet storage for
staple items (e.g. canned and packaged goods) that do not need refrigeration. Also stored here could be
utensils, dishes used for food preparation, herbs and other condiments used for seasoning.

The benchtop should be continuous between

the fridge and sink and drawers under the
benchtop are helpful in this area for storage of
cutlery and bulk foods. If space allows, a tall design comment
pantry cabinet with shelves or pull out trays

“
could be placed beside the refrigerator on the
side away from the counter. A chopping block
could also be included in this area.
Free-standing kitchens represent the
ultimate on flexibility, with the potential to

”
If possible, allow a minimum of 1200mm change the design at will.
between the fridge and sink to allow for food
preparation. More space can be provided, up Terry Ball
to 2000mm. William Ball Kitchens

2. Sink and Clean-Up Centre

This work centre is based around the sink and dishwasher. If there is to be a waste disposal unit, garbage
compactor or recycling bins, these should also be located in this area. This centre should also provide
adequate storage of detergents, household cleaners and possibly saucepans.

Storage for dishes and glassware for everyday use should be provided near the sink and dishwasher. Ensure
the sink bowl or bowls are large enough to comfortably wash items such as electric frypans that cannot go in
the dishwasher.

For maximum efficiency, this work centre should be located between the storage/preparation centre and the
cooking centre. Workspace on either side of the sink should total about 1200mm, with the space on the side
of the cooking centre at least 450mm wide.

3. Cooking Centre

Apart from the stove or cooktop and wall oven, this work centre should incorporate storage for all items
used for cooking such as pots and pans, casserole dishes, baking trays, utensils and seasonings as well as
serving items such as platters and trays. Ensure there is adequate counter space provided on either side of
the cooktop. A ventilating system should also be provided here in order to prevent grease, smoke and odours
spreading through the house. This should preferably be a hood with a fan directly over the cooktop. If there
is no access to the exterior for ducting, a ductless, filter system will have to be used instead.

Downdraft systems, which are installed next to the appliance requiring ventilation and installed into the
benchtop, are another option and are ideal for island units or any situation where an overhead hood is not
possible or undesirable.

6
Additional ‘mini’ centres could include:

• A baking centre for the mixing and preparation of

bread or cakes
• A household management centre with a telephone,
notice board and drop down desk at table height
(740mm). Drawers could be included for the storage
of pens, telephone directories and paperwork such as
bills. This area may also accommodate a computer or
storage for recipe books
• An entertainment centre such as a minibar and drink
serving area with casual stool seating
• A small appliance centre with power points and
concealing doors for appliances such as a
microwave, kettle, coffee maker, blender and electric
beater

Materials and Finishes For Cabinets

A modern timber kitchen
Natural timber
These are most commonly imported from North America, oak and maple are a very popular a choice.
European oak is also a lovely option; however, this is quite expensive. There are many options available.
Kitchens made from solid wood are built to last and have a timeless quality as timber mellows with age.

Timber veneer
A less expensive alternative to solid timber and less prone to warping than solid timber units.

Timber and laminate combinations

Laminate covers most of the unit, framed within a timber trim.

Laminate
A tough, plastic-like impregnated paper available in a wide range of types and colours. High-pressure
laminates are the most durable and should be used for horizontal work surfaces, while low-pressure
laminates can be used for vertical surfaces and low wear areas.

Lacquer
A pained finish available in a good choice of plain colours. However, they are not as durable as some other
options.

Vinyl Coated (vacuum formed finish)

A vacuum-formed vinyl coating applied directly to the timber
frame.

Flooring

The floor in a kitchen has to be durable enough to withstand

heavy use and should be impermeable to liquids. Suitable floor
coverings are cork (well-sealed), vinyl, linoleum, timber, stone, Your floor surface can be the feature
ceramic tiles and terracotta tiles. element in your kitchen

7
Ergonomics

Ergonomic design is very important in a kitchen for safety and function. Recommended heights and depths
of cupboards can prevent back strain and ensure the kitchen functions at maximum levels of comfort and
efficiency.

• The comfortable reach forward at a benchtop to access items at the rear is a maximum 600mm.
• The uppermost shelf of a cupboard should be a maximum 1800mm off the floor.
• The recessed kickspace at the bottom of cupboards to accommodate toes should be 50mm to 75mm deep.
• The optimal height for benchtops is 900mm to 950mm off the floor.
• A
 raised countertop of 1100mm to 1500mm is a friendly height for people to stand and still feel part of
the activity on the other side of the counter.
• T
 he width of a raised countertop can range from 150mm to 300mm. If it is intended to use the countertop
to eat at, a plate will require a minimum width of 300mm.
• W
 hen lifting dishes in and out of an oven a person’s elbows should be close to their waist. A single oven
fitted in a full height cupboard should be 850mm to 950mm off the floor. A double oven fitted in a full
height cupboard should be 650mm to 750mm off the floor.
• The maximum height for a microwave oven is 1350mm off the floor.
• An elevated dishwasher should be 250mm to 450mm off the floor.

For comfortable circulation and movement around the kitchen:

• A minimum of 600mm of space should be available for a person’s body.

• Two people passing or one person with a cupboard door open require a minimum distance of 1200mm
• In a bent position, as in opening a low drawer, a 600mm zone of space should be provided.
• T
 he recommended distance between two rows of cupboards is a minimum 1200mm. The ideal, however,
is 1350mm to 1500mm.

It is a good idea to keep up to date with the latest kitchen designs, either in person by visiting showrooms,
or on-line by visiting websites. Here are just a few to get you started (click on the showroom names below
to be taken to their websites).

The Kitchen Store Mastercraft Martin Moore

Wren Kitchens Kitchen Mill Design Space London

Self Exercise #1

Using either your or a friend’s kitchen, try these simple exercises:

(You will need a pad, pen and maybe a digital camera).

1. Examine the kitchen and deduct what materials have been used. If you are not sure, take digital
photographs and show these to any relevant kitchen retailer for clarification. This will also acquaint you
with registered kitchen makers.

2. Examine the layout of the kitchen, and using the above tutorial notes, see whether it functions or not. If
not your kitchen, ask the owner any relevant questions. This will acquaint you with talking with clients.

Although these are for yourself only, it is well worth keeping your notes and ideas. There will be actual
future commissions where you can refer back and incorporate previous ideas, saving you valuable time.
8
Designer Profile – A Kitchen Designer

Brigitta Bundy studied interior design in

Vienna, Austria, then worked as a model
for some years before having a family and design story
specialising in kitchen design.

Brigitta successfully completed a kitchen design

course to become a certified kitchen designer
and now works as a freelance kitchen designer
Kitchen kickstart
If you want to update a tired kitchen or bathroom
through kitchen showrooms, who pay her a quickly and cheaply, simply replace existing knobs
commission for each kitchen she designs and with shiny new ones. For an ultra-simple conversion
sells to the clients. choose new knobs with a similar base or instead fill
the holes with putty and install handles with a wid-
‘Unless I have been recommended by a former er base. Stainless steel is the current trend, however
client, the procedure is that people go into the
doorknobs can be found in materials such as crystal,
showroom and ask to speak with a designer. The
glass, shell, porcelain and ebony.
staff in the showroom then make an appointment
for me and I go and see the clients in their
home,’ explains Brigitta.

‘It’s always a very personal thing. So you first

of all have to win the trust of the clients and the
first rule is to tune yourself completely into the
people – no matter what level they are coming
from. Also, at the same time, you have to suss
them out so you can quickly make up your mind
what they can afford and what they can’t because
to make money I have to try and sell the kitchen
and it would be silly to talk people into some
expensive finishes then find they can’t afford
the kitchen. You have to observe well and this
is where a little bit of life experience comes in.
And again, trust is one of the most important things.

‘It’s a very personal thing. Sometimes it’s very funny. When I come into a home, a lot of people show me
their kitchen and they’re embarrassed – it’s like they are showing me their sick baby! And then they get even
more embarrassed when I have to look in all their cabinets to see the plumbing and hot water and how much
storage they need.

‘Then the next step is to discuss the appliances. I usually

advise people to go to an appliance showroom to see what is
available to give them some idea of what they want and the
sizes before our initial meeting. The size of the appliances
very much depends on the layout of the kitchen and the
space available. Often people say they want the huge 900mm
cooktop and double sink with drainers but they have a tiny
kitchen and these are impossible to fit in!

‘Then the next step is for me to take measurements of the

kitchen and take down details of the appliances. Then I make
an appointment to meet with them again, usually in a week or
Plans are a good tool in helping your
clients visualise the kitchen layout
thereabouts depending if they are in a hurry or not.
9
‘I then draw a plan and some elevations and prepare
some initial costings. Then I meet the clients in
the showroom and we hope for the best. Then it is design story
up to me to talk them into accepting the concept.
It’s important at this stage not to intimidate people Choosing a
and talk too much or appear to know everything
better than they do. I hate pushiness, as I wouldn’t
appreciate it myself.
rangehood
• T
 he exterior should be easy to clean with
‘It all depends on who I have sitting in front of me. minimal crevices for grease to build up in.
You have to be very careful. Some people like to Fixed rangehoods are usually easier to clean
talk about money and you have to make them aware than retractable ones.
that you have been very economical with this and • Choose a rangehood with two light globes.
that. Some wealthier clients would feel a bit insulted
• R
 angehoods with washable filters are the best
if you talked about money. So you play it by ear.
as they are cheap to maintain.
You really have to tune yourself into people – that’s
the most important thing – and then be smart and • C
 ontrols on the front panel are the most
clever with the actual design of the kitchen. Once convenient and easy to use.
I have explained everything to them, very often
people go home to think about it. I give them my
mobile number and ask them to call me if they have
any questions.

‘Sometimes, I have to follow them up and ring them

again. Sometimes they haggle about the price and I
have to talk to management at the showroom to see
if we can deduct a bit more from the price. Then
they come back and sign the contracts and off we
go. Sometimes there are lots of meetings before this
stage and you have to talk to people very gently out
of something that won’t work. People often want the
impossible, so you have to talk, talk, talk.

‘If a wall needs to be removed, I can generally tell if

it is a stud wall or a load-bearing wall but if I’m not
sure I call in a structural engineer. Then I draw up a
final plan and elevations in a scale of 1:20 with all
the details necessary for the tradespeople to refer to.
It’s important also to keep all the paperwork on file.

‘When designing a kitchen, I use the so-called work triangle of stove, refrigerator and sink (see figures on
page 28). Some kitchens are very large so it is better to have all tall cabinets on one side. But in the end,
there are really no rules.’

Brigitta works to budgets of £12,000 upwards and has a comprehensive costings book detailing costs of
plumbing, electrical work, laminates, every variety of cupboard and accessories such as door handles and
recycling bins. ‘This way, I can cost a kitchen very quickly. You have to be quick.’

As for materials, Brigitta points out that vinyl coated cabinets come in limited colours ‘but there is a nice
matt finish which is good in a minimalist kitchen. The best and most versatile cabinet finish is Lacquer
because it can be sprayed in any colour. Then, what is really beautiful is the laminates from Italy.’
For flooring, Brigitta personally prefers tiles ‘but if the kitchen is very large and the client cooks a lot, a tiled

10
floor is not so good as it is hard on the
feet. Timber is noisy but looks beautiful.
However, I find that a lot of people want design comment

“
too much timber which can often be too
‘heavy’. I try to talk them out of it and When you buy a free-standing kitchen,
have either the cupboards or the floor in
you don’t need to pay a specialist fitter –
timber, not both.’
it just bolts together – so it allows you to
Brigitta also recommends that the flooring spend more money on the actual furniture

”
be laid before the cabinets and appliances
rather than the installation.
are installed and laid over the entire floor,
not just where it can be seen, leaving bare Lynda Phelan
concrete under the cabinets. Fried Earth

Popular design details are pull-out pantries,

which are very space-saving, and huge drawers with dividers that can even store bottles.

‘The most important thing is to have common sense about putting things together,’ says Brigitta.

‘Always discuss the height of the cabinets with your clients. Some people want them up to the ceiling, not
being aware that it is very expensive to do this.

‘Find out about trades and make notes of the plumbing and electricals. It’s always important to have a look
if there is a gas oven where the gas supply is. In houses, always ask what’s underneath the kitchen to see if
the plumber can get underneath the floor. If the plumbing is set in a concrete slab, then it is very expensive
to move it.

‘In apartments, it’s always important to see where the hot water system is. If it is gas, in apartments it is
usually underneath a window because you have a vent going out and you can’t change that. Also, you need
permission from the body corporate for the ducting of rangehoods.

‘If people change from gas to electric, or want to retain a gas cooktop but have an electric oven, then a new
circuit has to be put in. In some apartments, it’s impossible to put a new circuit in because the fuse box is
who knows where and you can’t come through the roof, so the clients have to stay with gas.’

The budget and style of the kitchen are often dependent on the resale value of the home. “Often people don’t
think as far as resale value and want something very fashionable that will date quite quickly. If people are
only planning to stay in the home for four to five years, then the kitchen has to look good and be functional
but also quite classy, so it lifts up the value of the property. I also do kitchens in a lot of investment
properties where the client just wants it plain, with hard-wearing surfaces, as they are renting the property
out. These days, most people have a pretty good idea how much they can spend on their kitchen without
overcapitalising.

‘It’s rare that you get a client with a limitless budget and can do something really beautiful,’ adds Brigitta,
‘but on a lower budget you have to be more clever to create something that looks stunning but doesn’t cost
an arm and a leg.’

11
Current Trends – Kitchen and Bathroom

Michael Kalpou, Sales Manager of a leading renovations showroom, has been selling kitchens and
bathrooms for over ten years and employs 16 specialist kitchen and bathroom designers to cater to
customers’ needs. He spoke with design writer John Barker and offered the following advice and opinions
on current trends.

Kitchen

• We’re moving into a new era with kitchen design where everything is streamlined and minimalist. I like
to balance everything quite neatly in the kitchen. I try to even all doors and drawers out, have some sort of
symmetry but at the same time make it very practical.

• When designing kitchens and bathrooms you’ve always got to work around people’s services in existing
homes so you start with their services and then address the layout. That’s very important because we get a
lot of architects who design things that probably won’t work or can work but will cost the customer an arm
and a leg.

We try to be realistic and give customers as many ideas as we can, even to the point of giving them a
way-out layout, but we explain to them that we can do all this but there’s a cost factor or we can go with
a more realistic approach, which is to give them a layout within the existing boundaries that they’ve got in
their home. That way we’ll keep the price down for them. Every designer must keep that in the back of
their mind and go through it all with the client from whoa to go – from the simple procedure of walking
through the door and measuring up the room to running through the designs and all the services, colours,
door shapes, edges on bench tops, right down to the appliances that are used.

• For benchtops, we recommend CaesarStone, which is a

quartz-based material that has really taken over the granite
market over the past three years because the product is a
lot easier to use. It’s hardier, more stain-resistant, it’s
scratch-resistant and it needs minimal maintenance because
you never have to seal the product again, unlike granites
and marbles. Stainless steel is great for benchtops but the
problem is it scratches. It’s good for a kitchen hygienically,
which is why they use it in commercial kitchens, but the
problem is scratching.
CeaserStone benchtop

• W
 ith cabinets, Lacquer is popular and laminates are a huge thing these days. You can vary the colours,
they’re robust, they have reinforced edges, so laminates are coming back in fashion in a big way. They’re
more affordable. Lacquer is for a very upmarket look and is popular in a satin or high gloss finish.

• Glass splashbacks are another huge thing. We’re doing a lot of CaesarStone splashbacks as well. We have
vinyl-coated doors in a lot of gloss applications which look great, as do the matt applications. But in a
modern kitchen, you’re probably looking at more laminates, Lacquers, new high gloss laminates and a new
range of aluminium framed doors with glass inlays. It’s more of a mix and match where we’ve got layers
of tonings. We might have a layer of toning under bench cabinets and a layer of toning above so it’s a bit
of everything… done tastefully.

12
 • We tend to follow the Italian and German trends a lot. We follow the
Italians on design and that’s fairly streamlined at the moment which is
great. We use a lot of German appliances (such as SMEG) and with
hinging and drawer units we mainly use German fitted-out units. The
Germans are usually the leaders in the world as far as engineering goes.
But we get all our inspiration from the Italians.

The quality here is probably better because we custom make and theirs
is more of a flat-pack unit because the Italians take their kitchens with
them when they move from unit to unit or home to home, so their
kitchens are set up differently to ours. We do flat-packs here as well but
we usually customise here which means solid plinths, solid hinging, etc.
We can make cabinets to the millimetre and we can make all sorts
of weird and wonderful shapes out of our cabinets.
SMEG dishwasher

• There’s floating floors, vinyl floors and tiled floors but timber floors have come back in the last couple of
years. The polished concrete look would have to be the big thing but the application doesn’t always work
in people’s home. It’s a big job to rip up someone’s floor and lay a whole slab and polish it but people
who are building new homes are asking about concrete floors and you can actually get inlays into the floor
– grooves, patterns, etc.

• We’re seeing a lot of darker colours at the moment – coffee colours and greys are proving popular. Also a
lot of earthy tones mixed with light tones.

Bathrooms
design in action
• We keep them very streamlined. People are
moving away from vanities and are moving
more into pedestal basins and wall-mounted
basins with vast expanses of mirrors and
recessed shaving cabinets framed with mirrored
doors.

• The look is to keep the walls very plain and

simple and not always tile all walls. You might
decide to have a feature wall tiled and maybe
drop the tiles to another level on another wall.
It’s very minimalist these days.

• With shower recesses we tend to use semi-

frameless shower screens and frameless shower
screens. Storage has been neatly dealt with in
this bathroom with a tall cabinet built
• A lot of stone is being introduced into bathrooms. It into the rear wall.
can be virtually clad wall-to-wall so there’s this huge
expanse of stone. But usually all these latest Photo by Simon Kenny
innovations are quite expensive.

13
 • G
 lass mosaics and petrified mosaics have come back in
design comment a huge way. A lot of manufacturers are experimenting
with the sizes and looks of those sort of tiles.

Recessed lights are great for We’re also starting to dabble a bit with glass splashbacks.
task lighting, but I like to add Now we use coloured glass splashbacks in bathrooms.
You can get new surfaces where they’re a matt surface and
interest with a quirky wall light. they’re for bathrooms and you can use them from floor
Gail Taylor to ceiling in coloured matt glass and it looks terrific. And
Taylor Howes Designs you can also get it in gloss.

Benchtops

Selecting Benchtop Materials

Kitchen benchtops have to cope with a lot of punishment: vapour, grease, scratches, humidity, food
acids, knocks and the kids’ felt pens as well as the odd glass of red. It is important when selecting a
material for kitchen benchtops to understand how it will perform over time and how the client should
look after it. Ask each supplier ‘How do you clean it?’ and ‘How do you get stains out?’ and if possible,
test a sample with black felt pen and liquid to see if the marks come out. Every material has some
flaw, nothing is indestructible, so it’s important to find out how the material will function over time.

While most people are seeking low-maintenance products for their kitchen benchtops – e.g. oil-finished
timber, which is easier to clean than one with a hard-coat finish, others are happy for the sake of aesthetic
beauty to install materials such as marble or stainless steel which require vigilance against scratching or
staining to maintain in pristine condition or can be allowed to show the marks of time.

In a kitchen, you could also consider using different surface materials for different areas, for example,
ultra-hygienic stainless steel for the sink area with a softer, less industrial finish for surfaces visible from the
dining area. Different bench heights can make a kitchen more functional and ergonomic – around one metre
for the sink area (as the bottom of the sink is lower than the benchtop) to save bending and potential back
strain, with food preparation areas at around 940-950mm high.

Laminate

Laminates are a justifiably popular, cost-effective choice for a kitchen

benchtop, with a large range of choice in colours and texture available.
In an open plan kitchen, darker shades of laminate will make the kitchen
appear more like an attractive joinery piece. Using the same colour on
the cupboard doors and concealed finger pulls to the cupboards instead
of visible handles will increase this effect. For a smart, streamlined
finish to the benchtop, aluminium or timber edging can be most
effective.

Stainless Steel
Stainless steel benchtop
Stainless steel continues to be a popular choice for both kitchen
benchtops and appliances in the home and is the best surface for a commercial kitchen. Though a great
choice if hygiene is high on the list of priorities for your client, stainless steel scratches easily and
fingermarks can be difficult to remove.
14
Stone

The showy, high gloss granite benchtop is giving way in popularity to paler stones with a matt or light gloss
finish such as high-density limestone and grey sandstone. Such stones, however, are porous and need to be
sealed and refinished every three to five years and are not a good choice if hygiene is critical.

A new product on the market is enamelled lava stone: an internal core of sliced lava that has a glaze of
enamel sprayed onto the surface and is then fired. Enamelled lava stone can cope with curves, be any length,
is completely heatproof and can accept cutting (but not chopping) directly onto the surface.

A good alternative is reconstituted stone in slab form, available from CaesarStone. These products are easier
to cut, harder and denser than natural stone, do not chip easily, are non-porous and are easy to maintain.

Timber

Hardwood benchtops can look warm and inviting and go

well with brushed aluminium cupboards and appliances for a
softer version of the industrial, stainless steel aesthetic. Timber
benchtops should be a minimum of 400mm thick and maintained
at least once every two years. Choose only hardwood as softer
woods are prone to denting.

Solid timber benchtops can warp, however, especially near water.

A cost-effective alternative is to use a timber-look laminate,
some of which now look incredibly realistic.

Hardwood benchtop
Solid Surface Materials

Composites of natural materials and pure acrylic polymer that are cut and joined cleanly like timber or
formed and manipulated like plastic. A sink in the same material gives a seamless look and drainage grooves
can be routed into the benchtop. Robust and impermeable, these materials are easy to maintain and can
usually be restored on-site if damaged.

Resin

Resin is poured on-site in liquid form. Clear resin can be customised before it sets by embedding shells,
pebbles, photos or postcards to create an individualised benchtop. This is less common and can be difficult
to work with and will not often be requested.

Cement

Cement can make a wonderfully stylish benchtop in a clean, uncluttered space. The benchtop has to be
formed and poured on-site, can be polished to varying grades and can be dyed. Cement is not for those with
timber or gyprock walls; however, as its weight requires stronger support.

15
Vitrified Ceramic

Vitrified ceramic benchtops are available in a design story

limited colour range and, even when highly
polished, require specialised chemicals to clean but,
if finished well, can look sensational in a kitchen. Clever kitchen
In a nutshell, a smart kitchen is a clutter-free
Toughened Glass space where everything from the kitchen sink to
the fridge sits in the ‘natural order’ of cooking
Colourbacked toughened glass on a baseboard – everything is close at hand when it’s needed.
makes a beautiful, translucent benchtop that reflects
light and is easy to maintain. It can break, however, The recipe for an easy-breezy kitchen is to plan
if a heavy object is dropped on it. the design in sync with the flow of movement.
Allow for comfortable distances between each
of the primary kitchen tasks: storage, cooking,
Learning From The Experts… workspace, waste and cleaning up. When it comes
Advice From Leading Designers to layout, experts are unanimous – the ‘golden
triangle’ is the law and order for kitchen design.
Debbie-Lyn Ryan
interior designer
Three essentials – oven/cooktop, sink and fridge
Commitment and Investigation – are positioned at each corner of an invisible
Ryan speaks in terms of the drive and commitment triangle. Preferably, each side of the triangle will
needed to go well above the average. ‘You need to be three to four metres apart; any bigger and your
be passionate to reach the top in this field. And it client will run a marathon every meal, and any
doesn’t just happen. It’s a slow process. You won’t smaller they’ll trip over themselves.
be given a large commission from day one,’ says
Ryan. Upon graduation, finding the ‘right firm’ to
work with also requires considerable investigation.
‘It’s not sufficient to look at magazines. You need
to visit offices and see the work they do personally.
You get a better idea if it’s the type of office you
want to work in.’

Not Accepting Every Commission

It is tempting to take on as much work as physically
possible. But sometimes, it’s better not to take up
the brief. ‘You have to be extremely perceptive
and listen carefully to what the client is after. It’s
important to suggest some ideas initially. But some
people will never be on the same wavelength, or
even close. And you can’t change people’s tastes.
Sometimes you really need to walk away,’ says
Ryan, who is renowned for her brilliant use of
colour.

Learning from History

Design doesn’t just appear in a vacuum. Designers are continually influenced by what they see, in all areas
of design, from all areas of the arts. Things that appear to be entirely new are sometimes buried in the past,
removed and reworked to suit a contemporary context. ‘You need to understand what history has to offer.
You can’t underestimate the richness found in history. It helps you to understand your own culture and
interpret it,’ says Ryan.
16
Glossary of Kitchen Terms

Air/Gap loop: The dishwasher drain is also usually tied into the sink drain. Some dishwashers are equipped
with an air gap, while others have a loop high in the drain line. The purpose of these items is to prevent
wastewater from backing up into the washer. The air gap is a turret or knob-like device that is usually
located next to the tap. The loop is literally a loop in the drain line that is secured to the underside of the
countertop behind the dishwasher.

Base Cabinets: The standard storage space in almost all kitchens is the cabinet. There are two basic types of
cabinets; base cabinets and wall cabinets. Base cabinets are mounted on the floor. They are made of a wide
variety of materials, the most common being either plywood or compressed particle board. The countertop
is anchored to the top of the cabinets, along with any built-in appliances. There are also two basic methods
of construction – face-framed and faceless. In face-framed construction, the cabinet body has a hardwood or
plywood-framed face to which the doors are attached. In frameless construction, as the name implies, there
is no face and the doors are attached directly to the cabinet body.

Cooktop: The cooktop is a modern kitchen appliance that is comprised of

the surface-mounted cooking elements. In some of the newer kitchens, it
has become popular to have a cooktop installed in the countertop and have
a single or double wall oven unit installed. Cooktops have a wide variety
of cooking options including standard electric resistance coils, flat ceramic
plates, glass-topped halogen cooking elements, large frying surfaces, and
electric barbeque grill tops. It is common to see cooktops with down-draft,
ducted range hoods.
Cooktop
Dishwasher: Like microwave ovens, dishwashers are more and more becoming a standard feature rather
than an option in today’s kitchen. Dishwashers provide the convenience of getting the dishes washed without
having to fill up the sink and start scrubbing physically. Also, most newer dishwashers add the benefits of
greater energy savings than washing by hand as well as doing a better job of sanitising the dishes through the
use of higher water temperatures than normal hand washing allows.

Disposals: Garbage disposals are mounted under the kitchen sink and are in line with the plumbing drain
line. They usually need to be manually turned on and off. Their initial purpose is to grind kitchen food waste
and dispose of it down the drain into the sewage system. There are several brands and makes of disposals
on the market, but all of them operate in primarily the same manner. They have long knives or cutters in the
bottom that spin around and chop all the solids into little bits. They shred the solids into small pieces that
can be better decomposed in sewage treatment facilities.

Extractor fan: In many homes, the kitchen is considered the central meeting
location for day-to-day conversation and catch-up. It is also a primary source
of air pollution inside the home – airborne moisture, odours, grease and smoke.
The best way to get rid of this pollution is to use a kitchen ventilator. Kitchen
ventilators fall into two major categories – updraft and downdraft. Both have
similar components: a range hood or downdraft grille, a blower filter or grease
reservoir, and some type of blower or fan. Downdraft extractors are often
used with cooktops or ranges located in island cabinets, and usually come pre-
installed. They have grilled openings in the cooktop itself that lead to a grease
trap/reservoir, and ultimately lead to the exterior. Downdraft units are best used
where it is impractical to use an updraft unit.

In addition to the two types of extractors, there are also two different methods of
Extractor fan ducting the exhaust. One method is to physically connect the exhaust from the
fan to a pipe that is terminated at the exterior of the house. A second way is
17
to pull the exhaust through a charcoal screened filter and redirect it back
into the kitchen.

Freezer: Freezers, like refrigerators, come in many shapes and sizes.

Some are vertical standing units while others are horizontal chest units.
The chest freezers are more useful for long-term cold storage. This is
because they create a deep well of below-freezing temperatures that is
easily maintained by thermal mass storage; if the freezer is kept full, the
stored goods will stay colder longer. A negative feature of a chest type
freezer is the amount of floor space it takes up. The vertical standing
units look very similar to upright refrigerators only they have just a
single door. They are more utilitarian because they do not take up as
much room. However, they also do not keep food as cold as long. This is
because they are more prone to being opened and closed often. Chest freezer

Garbage compactor: In typical households, food waste and trash are usually collected in a garbage bin,
which is then put out for garbage collection. What a garbage compactor does is exactly what its name
implies. Instead of putting your garbage into a garbage bin, you put it in the compactor, where it gets
compressed to between 1/10 and 1/12 the space it would normally take up. The end result is the same
amount of garbage taking up less space; both on the curb and in the landfill. Garbage compactors are
available as portable units, non-portable cabinet units, and as a built-in part of a cabinet plan.

Instant hot water: Instant-hot water dispensers are basically miniaturised hot water heaters that are designed
to serve from only one tap. Unlike a typical water heater, the instant-hot dispenser does not have any kind of
sizeable tank and the tank never builds up pressure. Rather, it is hooked up directly to the cold water tap, and
when the hot water tap is turned on, the incoming water travels through the body of the spout, into the small
tank where it is heated up by an electric element. This heated water expands, filling the integral expansion
chamber and is discharged out the spout. As the tap is turned on, the hot water is replaced by cold, incoming
water and the cycle continues. One draw-back to this system is that the heated water is delivered slower than a
typical tap and the heated water is much hotter than what would usually come from a normal water heater. One
of the positive features is that there is no warm-up period; the hot water is instantly ready. As with any water
heater, instant-hot water dispensers may accumulate scale in areas that have hard water.

Microwave: Microwave ovens come in various capacities,

from units big enough to pop a bag of popcorn to units capable
of cooking entire multi-course meals for a family of four. The
biggest differences are in the power, capacity, convection heat
options and the cooking sensors. The power levels start at
about 600 watts, to well above 1000 watts in the family-dinner-
cooking models. Many models also have built-in sensors that
are able to determine the moisture content in the meal being
cooked. When the moisture content gets below a certain level,
the microwave cuts off. Some of the higher-end models even
Westinghouse microwave have the ability to cook with convection heat, so now meals can
be browned without having to move it to a conventional oven
before serving.

Plumbing trap: In order to prevent sewer gasses and odours from entering the house, plumbing drains have
devices installed called traps. Traps are merely a section of the drainpipe that has been bent and formed into
a 180-degree curve followed directly by another 180-degree curve with the drainpipe going through the floor
(an S-trap) or by a 90-degree curve that leads to the main drain stack that is located inside a wall (a P-trap).
It is very important that a drainpipe has a trap installed in order to prevent sewer gasses from entering the
house’s breathable airspace.
18
Range: The range is similar to the cooktop in that it has either electric elements
or gas burners mounted on the surface that is used for cooking. The difference
between a range and a cooktop is that the range is a combination, stand-alone unit
housing a cooktop and an oven. Ranges can vary in size from an ultra-narrow
24-inch-wide model with a small oven to a gourmet model with six burners and
two ovens. Ranges are usually either electric or gas-operated.

Refrigerators: Refrigerators come in all different shapes and sizes. The standard
shape is a vertical standing unit. Some units have just the refrigeration section
while others have an integral freezer. The sizes of refrigerators can range from a Range
small, model that fits inside a cabinet to a large two-door unit with many additional
features. Many refrigerators include amenities such as ice makers and automatic ice and water dispensers
on the doors. On the models that have integral freezers, the freezer can be located at the top or bottom of the
unit or it can be installed on one side of the refrigerator, with vertical doors.

Sink: As the central item in the most common meeting area in today’s home, the kitchen sink is a very busy
fixture. Every day, it is the area used in food preparation and clean-up. Accordingly, kitchen sinks need to be
both attractive and extremely durable. In the past, most sinks consisted of a single bowl and a simple tap set.
Now there are a multitude of different sink designs, including two, and sometimes three, bowls of different
sizes and shapes. These sinks have integral drains and sometimes have cutting boards, soap dispensers,
instant-hot water attachments, sprayers and more. They can now be found made of stainless steel, enamelled
metal, plastic, fibreglass, and even faux stone such as marble or quartz. A modern method is to make the
sink of a solid surfacing material such as Corian™. Some of these sinks now come moulded directly into
the countertop. The stainless steel sinks are made in many sizes and several thicknesses. The thicker the
material, the more resistant to dents and dings it will be. The enamelled cast iron sinks also come in a wide
variety of sizes and colours. They are easy to clean, but their heavier weight requires a stronger countertop
material. The solid surface materials are becoming more popular because of their capability to have a totally
rimless sink basin as well as having a perfect match in colour to the sink and the countertop. Also, because
the colour usually goes all the way through the sink basin, if the material gets a scratch or stain, it can be
sanded or re-finished to look like new. The stone composite sinks, too, come in a variety of colours and
styles. They can be very attractive and offer a stylish alternative to more conventional materials. However, as
with the cast iron sinks, their increased weight will require a stronger countertop material.

Vegetable sprayer: The vegetable, or sink, sprayer is a useful convenience that is usually part of the sink
tap set. It is a relatively simple attachment consisting of a lever or button-actioned spray head attached to
a length of reinforced hose. In some tap assemblies, the sprayer is a direct part of the tap in that when the
sprayer function is wanted, the tap head is simply pulled out of the faucet
assembly.

Wall Cabinet: The standard storage space in almost all kitchens is the cabinet.
There are two basic types of cabinets - base cabinets and wall cabinets.
Wall cabinets are mounted on the walls, suspended above the kitchen and
bathroom cabinets. They are made of a wide variety of materials, the most
common being either plywood or compressed particle board. There are also
two basic methods of construction – face-framed and faceless. In face-framed
construction, the cabinet body has a hardwood or plywood-framed face to
which the doors are attached. In frameless construction, as the name implies,
Wall cabinet there is no face and the doors are attached directly to the cabinet body.

Wall Oven: When a cooktop is used instead of a standard range, the oven needs a place to be installed. A
useful place for it to be installed is in a combination wall/base-mounted cabinet. Types of installation include
a single oven, a double oven (one above and one below), and an oven/microwave combination.

19
Introduction to Bathroom Design

Over the past few decades, the domestic bathroom has been transformed from a hygienic but rather
dull space for ablutions into a luxurious retreat for privacy, time-out, pampering and introspection.
What could be better or more restorative at the end of a long, hard day at the office or ferrying
children about than a long, hot soak in a scented bath with soft candlelight flickering in beautiful,
spa-like surroundings?

The bathroom also has to cater to the needs of

busy morning routines, facilitating fast and hassle- design in action
free preparation for dashing out the door and off
to work or school looking unflustered, clean and
well-groomed, hence the current popularity of
double basins for teeth brushing, shaving, makeup
application and hair drying.

Like all interior design, bathroom planning is

mainly a matter of common sense. I once moved
into a house where the only bathroom was tiny. The
lavatory was next to the bath with overhead shower
and the toilet roll holder was on the bath side. Thus
the toilet paper had to be moved every time anyone
had a shower or it got completely saturated.

The lavatory faced the vanity unit with very little

space in between. Luckily no-one in the household
was tall or their knees would have banged into the
vanity cabinet whenever they sat on the lavatory. The twin basin units in this bathroom
Tall visitors, however, had to put up with sore are built into the same cabinet, allowing
knees! Also, the only storage was a tiny mirrored for more storage space. Similarly, they
cabinet above the washbasin which was woefully share a long mirror that reaches in
inadequate for a household of three, including
front of both basins. No more fighting
two females with a penchant for lotions, potions
over the mirror!
and makeup. The ventilation was inadequate, so
the window ledge was rotting and the bath had
been badly installed and was rusting due to poor
drainage. Then there was the mismatched tiles in a variety of clashing designs! It all had to go.

On the other side of the coin, one of the best bathrooms I have experienced was at The Peninsula Hotel in
Beverly Hills, where the marble tiling was cool and luxurious and the ultra-deep bath had the perfect angle
at the end opposite the taps to lean back against, surrounded by abundant scented bubbles. Other exquisite
bathrooms have been in resorts in Bali. At Begawan Giri, near Ubud, my bathroom was huge and in natural
stone with beautiful old Dutch basin and tapware. Beside the bath, the whole wall could be opened out to
enjoy a glorious view of jungle and rice paddies during the day or to watch the fireflies flicker in the trees in
the evening.

At The Chedi, also near Ubud, my private cottage had a huge indoor bathroom with double shower recesses
and basins and a beautiful sunken stone bath in an outdoor courtyard. Unfortunately, the lights were
romantically dim when I arrived off the plane in the middle of the night and I stepped right into the lily pond
surrounding the bath thinking it was dark floor tiles and was covered in mud up to my waist! I don’t know
who was more shocked, myself or the poor goldfish I disturbed.

20
 There are several basic items to site in a bathroom – the
bathtub/shower, a separate shower recess if room allows,
toilet and washbasin unit plus storage. Though they are
not always common, some clients will also request a
bidet, which should be placed beside the toilet. There is
likely to be more than one suitable position for these, so
work out all possibilities on a floor plan. The position of
the drainage and plumbing is likely to affect your final
decisions.

The bathtub is generally best placed on the longest wall,

Modern bathroom design unless the space is very long, in which case the far end of
the room may be the best place for the bath. Ensure the
bath is long enough to be comfortable for the tallest member of the household. In tiny bathrooms, there may
only be room for a shower recess or the showerhead will have to go over the bath. In a very large space, the
bathtub can be a feature and placed in the centre of the room.

The toilet should not be the first thing visible when entering the bathroom. In a large space, it can be
concealed behind a panel. Make sure there is at least 50cm between the rim of the seat and any basin unit
or wall opposite so there is sufficient space to
provide for even the tallest user’s knees.

design story
Iconic bath
Washbasins should be placed with enough
space in front for the user to bend over it
comfortably. To install a washbasin that can be
used comfortably, it should have a space of about
1000mm by 1100mm. This pure, streamlined tub, created in 1998 and
manufactured by luxury German brand Hoesch,
Next, you will need to provide adequate storage
became the blueprint for the contemporary
for toiletries and pharmaceuticals and possibly
freestanding bath and spawned a host of copycat
towels, and select tapware, a shower rose and
lighting. The final accessories to place are a mirror designs.
or mirrors over the basin/s, towel holders, hangers
for robes and a toilet roll holder. If the ventilation Beautifully illustrating designer Phillipe Starck’s
is inadequate, this will have be addressed and, in aim to create ‘a new aesthetic for wellbeing’
cooler climates, heating may need to be provided – essentially, making the bathroom a new place for
such as heated towel rails or underfloor heating. If pleasure – the bath was an instant success. In fact,
underfloor heating is not possible, then consider for the past decade, it’s practically been sending
a warmer flooring material underfoot than tiles,
design fans Starck bathing mad.
which can be hell on bare feet on a cold winter’s
morning. Cork tiles are a much-underused
flooring for bathrooms but are perfectly suitable if
well sealed.

All surfaces need to be water-impermeable and

able to resist-mildew. All paintwork should have
a mildew resistant undercoat and be oil-based.

If the bathroom you are working on is

particularly small and cannot be enlarged without
major building work that is outside the client’s
budget consider relieving the pressure by looking
carefully to see if some of its functions could be
21
placed elsewhere. If it doubles as a laundry, the washing machine and dryer may be able to be moved to the
kitchen or a large built-in cupboard. There may be a way to remove the toilet from the main bathroom and
create a separate space for it elsewhere in the house. Investigate all possibilities.

Baths are commonly made from cast iron, pressed steel or acrylic plastics. Metal baths have enamel coatings
that can chip but can be resurfaced to revive them. Plastic baths are much lighter and can be moulded into
different shapes. The colour goes right through the material but it is, however, vulnerable to scratching.

Washbasins are becoming a major feature of the bathroom with exciting conical designs giving them a
sculptural presence. These are usually made of vitreous china but glass basins are increasingly popular.
Basins can be mounted on pedestals which conceal the pipework, fixed to the wall or set into a vanity unit
that provides convenient cupboard space beneath and bench space beside the basin. The recommended
height for basins is 785mm but this may be adjusted depending on the height of your clients.

Lavatories are usually made of vitreous china, with cisterns in the same material or of plastic. Wall-hung
pans with concealed cisterns in the wall give a clean, uncluttered look and are the best choice for a small
bathroom. There is a choice between a washdown flushing system which is cheap and noisy, but efficient,
and various forms of siphonic cisterns which are quieter but more expensive. Close-coupled lavatories have
the cistern fitting directly into the back of the pan to reduce the overall height and slimline panel cisterns are
available if space is restricted.

Bathroom Tips

Budget-saving bathroom design ideas by interior designers Karmen Brenton–Burroughs and Jim
Burroughs.

Bathrooms can be expensive to fit out due to the number of trades involved in such a small area. If the client
is keen that the bathroom fit-out will last, it is important to avoid trends and over-design. It is a small space,
so stick to only a couple of finishes to create a timeless, classic base. Treat it as a neutral canvas that can be
updated with different towels and accessories.

Layout is important. If the budget is tight, it is best to keep the equipment and plumbing in their original
location unless it is absolutely necessary that they are moved.

Many items can be kept if given a ‘facelift’. Companies

such as the Worldwide Refinishing Systems have
products that can refinish surfaces such as ceramic, design comment
vitreous porcelain, metal, hardwood and laminate.

“
Structure For cleansing body, mind
Some very simple building details that can be applied to and soul, a cramped neglected
create maximum effect. bathroom just won’t wash.

• If the toilet and basin are on the same wall, Create a pristine space by choosing
build out that wall the minimum distance
sleek shower and tap fittings and
to be able to house a concealed cistern. The
cistern will need an access panel in the wall. don’t scrimp on storage so toiletries

”
This cavity wall can also be used as storage can be stashed out of site.
space behind the mirror above the basin.
Sarah Slade
• If space is premium a half-height wall can be built to Elle Magazine
house the cistern – thus creating a ledge to store
things on – and this can then become part of the basin ledge to create a continuous, uncluttered effect.
22
• If there is sufficient room, and if the shower is also on the same wall as above, you can build out the
wall as in the first example then the cavity at the shower can be used to build in tiled niches for storage of
shampoos etc. to avoid add-on shelves.

Wall And Floor Finish

Tiling is the obvious choice, although there are some other cost-
effective elements you can bring into the design.

• For example, you can bring in a wall panelled in marine ply (stained
and sealed) to inject warmth into the space. Talk to the builder about
the detail at the junction of the ply and tiles as it is important not to
have a step if possible and of course waterproof sealing is important.

• A
 nother material that can be used to inject warmth into a bathroom
is a well-sealed raw plaster wall. Choose an area that does not get
splashed with water – i.e. not the shower area.

Tiling Tips
• If maintenance and cleaning are an issue for the
An untiled wall acts as a
client, then use a colour in a mid-range tone. Black
feature in this bathroom
shows up soap scum and white or beige show up
mess. We like warm mid to dark greys or chocolate
colours that are easy to maintain. Use a warm grey,
not a blue-grey, unless you are contrasting it with
a warm timber or another warm finish. Use a grout
colour to match the tile for simplicity and cleaning
design story
reasons.

• Use larger tiles as they have less grout to clean and

are less likely to pop off the wall as small mosaic
Bespoke tiles
Bespoke tiles are now an option. You can have
tiles sometimes do.
anything you want made into a tile from a
montage effect of favourite photographs to a
• Tile from floor to ceiling. This will give a more
child’s drawing. The possibilities are endless.
dramatic effect, saves on the cost of border tiles and
Bespoke tiles are expensive so you may just
will give ease of cleaning.
want to use a small number within the overall
scheme of a room (perhaps just one by the
• Use the same floor tile on the walls as well or on
one feature wall. Make sure that the tiler aligns the sink or light switch, or as a line of detail
floor tiles with the wall tiles to give a clean line. You above a skirting
will need to use the same size floor and wall tile to board). If tiling
do this. huge expanses
of wall, stick
Heating with something
• Underfloor heating is not a new idea but there simple – bespoke
is now a slimline heating mat. Regular heating tiles are best
methods are easy to install in new buildings but when used as a
a lot of demolition can be involved in existing highlight, bringing
buildings or a step may be needed up into the
personality to
bathroom due to the thickness. DE-VI has a
a room without
product called super thin undertile Devimat
which is only 2.5mm thick, allowing the mat to overwhelming it.
be easily installed under tiles or floorboards.
Visit www.devi.co.uk for more information. 23
• For a cheaper alternative, you can use heated
towel racks to create warmth as well as keep
design story
Create a luxe
towels dry as they act as a radiator. A taller
rack will, therefore, provide more heat. As
an alternative to those on the market, you
could ask the plumber to construct a heated
towel rack from copper pipes that are used
in plumbing. Run the hot water through this
before it reaches the tap for added warmth.
bathroom
Here are a few ideas to help your client tide their
You may need a bypass installed in the summer bathroom over, style-wise, until they are ready for
months and make sure that the plumber takes the big re-model.
extra care on the welding and connections as
they will be exposed. 1. Switching old accessories makes a huge
difference. A new toilet paper holder, towel rods and
Lighting toothbrush holders can seriously update a space.
• Concealed trough lighting with ordinary Add in new towels and shower curtain and the whole
fluorescent bulbs is a simple way of using a room can feel transformed.
potentially ugly (but inexpensive) fitting well.
Ask your supplier or electrician to provide 2. A fresh coat of new colour or pristine white makes
colour-corrected (daylight colour) battens to any room feel better, and in a small space like a
avoid harsh lighting. bathroom, it’s a weekend job.
3. Re-grout. A fairly simple (and very cheap) DIY,
• Not enough sunlight? If the bathroom has this project can make the oldest, worn-out bathing
little access to natural light and this can’t be area feel 1000 times cleaner and newer.
rectified by widening the window, we suggest
creating a false skylight by building a recess 4. Replace the lighting. A bit more expensive since
into the ceiling cavity which can be faced with an electrician will probably be required, but new,
a frosted glass panel and backlit with colour more flattering, modern lighting is one fix that you
corrected (daylight) battens. Ensure the glass can make now to improve the ‘feel’ of the room
panel is hinged for easy removal to change dramatically. The new lighting can most likely be
lamps. left in place once a larger renovation is taken on
down the road.
Window Treatments 5. Working with outdated coloured tiles and fixtures?
• T
 oo much sunlight? If the bathroom window Make a virtue out of a disadvantage by celebrating
faces west and you want to reduce the summer those (insert funky colour of choice here) fixtures or
heat without making the space dark use 50 per tiles with matching towels, retro artwork and maybe
cent shade cloth as a blind. Your clients will even some over-the-top wallpaper. You can’t hide it,
still be able to see out, no-one can see in and so you might as well help your client embrace it for
the light quality will be good without the heat. the time being.
This can also be used externally.

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• A
 nother way to treat the window without having a
fabric which mildew could attack or fittings which
can rust in a wet area is to try applying film to the
glazing. 3M has various opacities from semi-private
to completely private opaques that can be applied to
new or existing windows. This will still let in plenty
of light while maintaining privacy. Be sure to get
samples first to get the correct opacity and ask your
supplier which films are appropriate for wet areas.

Shower Screens
• To avoid messy build-up in the channels holding the
base of the shower screen, have the track and supports
mounted into or to the ceiling instead.

• W
 e recommend a custom-tiled shower with a
frameless glass screen.

• Suggest your client use a chamois cloth to wipe down

the screen after the household’s last shower of the day
Bathroom window treatment
to avoid build-up on the glass.

Basin
• If your client shaves at the basin avoid deep basins and vanities that do not allow him to get close enough
to the mirror for accurate shaving. A way of reducing the depth is to wall-mount the tap set.

• Use wide square basins or large circular ones that avoid splashing.

Pan
• W
 hen looking for a toilet pan, make sure the style is similar to other pieces of equipment, i.e. rounded and
organic or geometric.

Bath
• A
 s with the toilet pan, ensure that the style is similar to other pieces of equipment you are specifying.

• T
 o maximise space, we recommend a custom-made bath made with Hebel blocks and FC sheeting which
is then tiled to match the rest of the space. At the opposite end to the taps, make sure the side slopes at a
suitable angle to lean against for comfort. Creating a ledge around the bath can allow for items to be stored
or used for sitting on.

As with kitchen design, it is a good idea to keep abreast with the latest bathroom designs, either in person by
visiting showrooms, or on-line by viewing websites. Bathrooms are often about accessories and fittings, so
don’t overlook them. Here are a few sites to visit to get you started

Paramount Bathrooms Bathroom Heaven John Lewis

Bella Bathrooms Colourwash Bathrooms

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How to be a successful interior designer in UK. What qualities will set you apart?

By Brett Tudor

So you want to be a successful interior designer in the UK. Where do you start?

Is it simply a matter of choosing fabrics, collecting colour charts and letting your natural creativity guide
you to success?

Think again! Interior design may be perceived as a glamour profession, but you will need to develop a sound
business sense to go along with your design flair to stand out in a competitive market and this certainly
applies in the UK. As with any business, the most successful practitioners will be the ones prepared to put in
the hard work, work long and irregular hours and make other sacrifices along the way.

Before embarking on the path to being a successful interior designer, the first thing you need is credibility.
Unlike some professions such as architecture, this is not as difficult as it may at first seem. In the UK a good
qualification in the subject will provide a good starting point and a commitment to studying the subject will
certainly help when you are seeking work experience.

While a qualification helps, training on the job is a vital next step. It is important to learn how to
communicate effectively and build relationships – if you have the talent, everything else will fall into place.
Work experience will also provide you with valuable insight into the physical hands-on aspect, as well as the
general administrative side of the job.

Your experience and qualifications should then put you in a good position to think about setting up as an
interior designer. If becoming self-employed is your aim, the first thing to think about is your market. You
must have a clear goal in mind of your target market as it is easy when starting out to get too emotionally
involved in projects, which can sometimes cloud judgement. To be successful, you must stick to an agenda
and not be influenced by pushy sales reps keen to sell you their products. This can be a potential pitfall for
the unwary, particularly when budgets are stretched beyond limits.

It is best to be forthright and honest in your dealings with clients, your team and contractors and expect the
same from them. If the client changes their mind about a scheme there is absolutely no point in trying to
convince them otherwise and the same goes for when you feel something does not work within a scheme,
you must be prepared to be honest and say so.

If you happen to have a good network of contacts within the industry and related sectors to ensure an
adequate stream of work, you are already well on your way but don’t be put off; everyone has to start
somewhere. Like any other profession, in order to be successful, a clear goal and a positive approach are
bound to get you far.

If you are going it alone, which is a prerequisite for all the most successful interior designers in the UK, you
need to work on making yourself visible. While your biggest marketing tool will be your existing clients and
tradespeople you work with, it is also useful to have a good website and to adopt a PR campaign in some
form. Advertising is an option, however, this can be costly and potentially ineffective.

It is important that you build a good reputation from the outset and take care not too overstretch yourself
when it comes to the budget and scale of a project. It is all very well taking on a large and potentially
lucrative project, however, the client’s expectations could raise the possibility of hidden complexities arising
which can be hard to overcome for someone new to the industry – or worse, it could potentially result in lost
time and money.

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While ambition is important, it is also worth starting
slowly and developing your skills by limiting yourself
design story
Smoke and
to one project at a time. Make sure that you develop
your skills in developing a good relationship with

mirrors
clients even though this can sometimes be complicated
by conflicting opinions. There will also be the
inevitable supplier and delivery restraints to deal with,
therefore, it is best to learn how to timetable your
work and use what you learn as a template for future
Mirrors are timeless and work in traditional and
projects.
contemporary interiors and vast expanses of
Finally, you will need to ensure that you are fully blank wall aren’t necessary to create a striking
informed on all the financial aspects of the business effect. Mirrors have the ability to illuminate
and also how to structure your fees for consultations areas of a space without windows or natural
and the work you do. While this may be an enjoyable light. Bring the outdoors indoor by hanging
profession when you become established, it is worth mirrors in a spot that reflects a leafy courtyard.
remembering that you need to make a living. It can Alternatively, make framed mirrors the centre
require a large amount of personal investment in time
of attention and group them together for an
to bring a scheme together and any client who tries to
eclectic feel.
avoid paying for this work should be avoided.

Interior design is a fast-moving industry, certainly

in the UK where there is a burgeoning, competitive
magazine industry eager to promote the latest trends
and movements in interior fashions on a monthly
basis. It is certainly worth a subscription to a selection
of some of the top national homes and interiors
magazines to gain a good insight into current trends as
a starting point.

It is also important to draw inspiration from other

sources rather than simply be a slave to fashions;
with experience, you can develop your own unique
signature by paying attention to the environment
around you and how people react to colours, textures
and styles. Above all, be true to yourself and draw inspiration from your travels and the people around you.
Fashion too can be inspirational, be prepared to look at how fabric is used as this will provide inspiration for
colour palettes. An interest in colour and fashion is a vital part of developing your interior design skills.

The interior design scene in the UK is full of designers who do an amazing job to support the industry
particularly those in the North of England and Scotland who need to compete harder for recognition
outside of the epicentre of UK design, London. Many of these designers are very successful at what they
do, however, they are not as highly visible as interior design gurus such as Kelly Hoppen and TV celebrity
Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen. These designers, in particular, are at the forefront and have worked hard to
increase publicity for the industry and to push forward the boundaries creatively and from a commercial
perspective in the UK.

While not everyone would need or even want to achieve celebrity status when they become an interior
designer, to be successful in the UK you should be prepared to adopt at least some of the nation’s
idiosyncrasies. British style is a truly eclectic mix characterised by a studious approach undaunted by
complexity. It is a style which has evolved into a complex mix of traditionalism, contemporary modernism
with a smattering of edginess and raw sex appeal which ultimately defines that sense of Britishness!

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Click here to go back to page 10 28
end of tutorial seven (7).
We hope you are enjoying and benefiting from your course.

Please make a point of reviewing these notes until you are

totally familiar with the content and techniques presented.

There is no assignment to submit for this tutorial.

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