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AFTER: Better bathroom, better photography/Photo: Susie Lowe

AFTER: Better bathroom, better photography/Photo: Susie Lowe

The Pink House Bathroom Before & After

March 9, 2016

Of all the rooms in The Pink House, this is the most radical makeover. Basically, we ripped the shit out of the previous shabby, uninspiring bathroom, and, in its place, created my dream bathroom from scratch. 

One thing that always annoys me about home before/afters (or indeed weight loss or fashion before/afters), is that the 'before' photos tend to be amateur, badly lit, unflatteringly angled shots, while the 'after' pics are professionally perfect. That's not AT ALL what I've done here. Oh no. I lie. That's EXACTLY what I've done here, thanks to Susie Lowe's fab 'after' shots.

BEFORE: bad deco; bad photos
BEFORE: bad deco; bad photos
Nice loo-seat-under-sink effect
Nice loo-seat-under-sink effect
The shampoo bottles really make it
The shampoo bottles really make it

But although the pictures exaggerate the effect in some respects, spending time/a penny in the After-Bathroom is a drastically different experience from the Before. This is our family bathroom (we have a separate shower room in the basement), which needs to accommodate me, the Pink House Husband, and the two floor-splashers AKA the 3yo and 6yo Pink House Dwellers. So we needed to get the revamp right.

AFTER/Photo: Susie Lowe
AFTER/Photo: Susie Lowe
AFTER/Photo: Susie Lowe
AFTER/Photo: Susie Lowe
AFTER/Photo: Susie Lowe

AFTER/Photo: Susie Lowe

AFTER/Photo: Susie Lowe

AFTER/Photo: Susie Lowe

To better convey the radical difference between the Before and After experiences, here are 5 ways in which my After-Bathroom has transformed my - and my family's - lives, plus where I bought stuff and what I learned from the experience.

1) It makes me happy

Before, when I entered the bathroom, all I could think was a) I really hate those tiles, b) I really hate the lighting, and c) I really hate that mirror. Practicalities aside, the room just didn't fill me with joy. It made me want to to do my business and leave, sharpish, without looking at the mould behind the towel rail. Because although the new bathroom had to fulfil its functional purpose, I also wanted it to feel like a bathroom at, say, Babington House. With arrival of said floor-splashers, I spend much less time in beautiful hotels than I used to, so this bathroom had to pick up the boutique slack. Here's a list of the things in our new bathroom which now fill me with joy when I walk in:

  • The Barber Wilson brass taps, mixers and shower head
  • The Osborne & Little Koi Carp wallpaper 
  • The Anthropologie brass-and-mother-of-pearl cabinet knobs
  • The Anthropologie brass owl hook
  • The Balineum Overton brass wall lamp (so hard to find beautiful bathroom lights that are safety-rated but this one is IP64 meaning it can be used in Zone 1 or 2 - i.e. right by a water source)
  • The marble sink top, shelf and dresser surface
  • The white metro tiles with dark grey grouting (I know - so predictable, but still so smart)
  • The fish mirror we bought in Malawi BK (Before Kids)

There's something about using great quality, natural materials (brass, marble, ceramics) that gives me a sense of enormous wellbeing. And then I'm happy for the rest of the day, safe in the knowledge...sorry. Anyway, the point is that when it comes to home renovation I reckon it's worth investing in the basics, as they lift the look of a room in a way no accessory ever could. Not even a Tom Dixon copper candle.

Brass taps and marble sink top = true happiness/Photo: Susie Lowe

Brass taps and marble sink top = true happiness/Photo: Susie Lowe

2) The lack of crap

One of the worst things about the Before-Bathroom was lack of storage. Being such a tiny room, even a few things left untidied made the place look cluttered (see Before pics, above). To get rid of all the crap (not literally) lying about, we needed some clever storage solutions that made the most of every inch of space, while still looking good. And so we had our builders create:

  • An under-sink cabinet, painted in Farrow & Ball's Downpipe, with space to hide kiddie steps, loo seats and bath toys
  • A slimline, full-height cabinet opposite the loo, with ample room for all my pretty products (on glass, down-lit shelves in the top section), and not-so pretty products (behind the doors in the bottom section, also painted in Downpipe)
  • Recessed, tiled shelves; one above the loo, for a scented candles and a little loobrary (did I coin this word for books-in-the-loo?); and two beside the bath, for easy-to-reach bath products that don't clutter surfaces; these were inspired by Babington House)  

Now, the only stuff that's on display is stuff I WANT to be on display (see point 5)

The Pink House
The Pink House
The Pink House

 

3) The sit-down shower

One of the Before-Bathroom's practical problems was the lack of shower - the ceiling slopes, so there's not enough space to stand in the bath. Yes, we have a shower room, but that's two flights down from my bedroom, and I didn't love being surprised by the supermarket delivery man in nothing but a flimsy towel. But I went to the shower room anyway, because, well, I wanted a shower. 

But while planning the new bathroom a thought occurred to me: who says you have to stand up in the shower? So now we have a lovely brass Barber Wilsons sit-down shower. And you know what? It's excellent for shaving your legs (sitting = easy leg access) and dyeing your hair pink (just put the plug in to let the water accumulate, sit in the cosy bath for 15 mins while the dye does its thing, turn on the shower to rinse it off).

Now, thanks to the sit-down shower I often use the After-Bathroom, and rarely encounter random men while half-naked in my hallway, though some might argue this isn't necessarily a benefit.

4) The man-sized bath 

DURING: not quite Babington House yet

DURING: not quite Babington House yet

Before, the bath was extra-narrow, leading to frequent complaints from the man-sized Pink House Husband about not being able to fit his full manly width into it comfortably. Now, because we stripped the bathroom right back to the brick wall (see pic, right), we are able to squeeze the bath further in to the brick, and therefore have a bit more space for a normal-sized tub. So the man-whinging has stopped, which is good.

One down side to the bath tap now sticking out the wall where it does, is that the kids bang their heads on it fairly frequently. But that's not only character building, but also a ridiculously first-world problem (Mummeeee! I bumped my head on the shiny gold tap and got Elemis shower gel in my eeeeeeye!) so they can just deal. 

Fish
Fish
Ducks
Ducks
Owl
Owl

5) The spa experience

When you put this much effort (yes, and cold hard cash - I'm not going to lie; those taps weren't cheap) into a room, it makes you raise your style game. Out went the manky towels, in came a fresh load of fluffies from The White Company. Out went the random mishmash of bottles I've collected at various magazines' beauty sales over the years, in came a truckload of pretty Elemis products. Oh, and the Diptyque candle. Obviously. So now when I'm lying in the bath, it's like I'm in a tiny, gorgeous spa: I'm gazing up at gold fish swimming through soft, subtle lighting, I'm smelling the sweet scent of Baies, and I've locked the door against tiny intruders. It's basically the dream.

OK, these are mainly ways the bathroom has changed MY life - not sure how much the kids have benefited (other than aforementioned character building). But hey, if mum's happy, kids are happy, right?

If you enjoyed that post, or even if you're just in a giving mood, please would you take literally 10 seconds to click HERE and vote for The Pink House in the 2017 Amara Interior Blog Awards where we've been nominated for Best Colour Inspiration. Thank you!

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"Fabulous family living!"

Emily Murray founder of The Pink House Living

"Hello! I’m Emily Murray, founder and editor of The Pink House. I’m a lifestyle journalist who has written and edited for loads of different publications, including Stylist, The Guardian, Grazia, Cosmopolitan, Conde Nast Traveller, Brides, and Mother & Baby. Here I am in the bricks-and-mortar Pink House in South East London, where I live with the Pink House Husband (PHH) and our two small, semi-feral boys. Our fabulous Christopher Farr sofa is covered in marker pen and chocolate, and the Eames rocker has a few suspicious stains. Come in and make yourself at home. No need to take your shoes off." 

IMG_2340.png

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Bringing your first book home to show your parents is a bit like introducing them to your new boyfriend:
😅Will they like it/him? 😅Are they just being polite? 😅Does it/he look comfortable in its/his new surroundings? 😅Will it/he stand up to scrutiny?
😅What are the chances of them flicking through it/him when you’re not looking...😳
Luckily, the first meeting of Pink House Living (the book) with the Pink House Grandparents has been a success so far. Not only did the book make itself at home on the pinkest thing in the house (this chaise in the garden room), but my dad was heard to make a number of enthusiastic-sounding noises before opining: “This one’s a keeper*” 💖
*He didn’t exactly say this, but I thought it would be a fitting conclusion to the book/boyfriend analogy. 
OVER ON STORIES: A mini tour of my rug-mad mother’s super-stylish Edinburgh home, plus her verdict on her aesthetic vs mine 😒. #meettheparents #sorryabouttheswearing #lookatthespineonthat #sexybook
A few days ago the Pink House Husband and I agreed we’d postpone Valentine’s Day until next Thursday 💝🚫. As well as the fact that this tedious lurgy should have buggered off by then, it makes lots of sense from a restaurant-finding, bouquet-pricing, babysitter-booking perspective to make February 21st our own personal V-Day. I’m thinking I might apply the same principle to Christmas - just add a couple of weeks and your present budget will stretch a LOT further 🎁💯. Anyhow, this week is exciting enough without a posh dinner and some pink (never red) roses...because this week my kitchen was included in interior gurus @apartmenttherapy ‘s feature entitled These Are Our Favorite Kitchens Ever 😊. I’ve added the link in my bio if you want to check it out. This kitchen here, which belongs to @kipandco founder Alex McCabe, was also featured. Actually, sod PHH; I think Alex’s kitchen can be my Valentine - pink, gold and gorgeous: what more could you want from a life partner?🥰.
📷: @nikoleramsay #cheatingonPHHwithfurniture
Gutted. Tonight I was supposed to be heading to a glorious Galentine’s evening at the gorgeous @whitecityhouse with top gal pal @katefaithfullwilliams to listen to @bowelbabe talk about dildos with @cherryhealey as part of a @thehotbedcollective live podcast recording 🍆. Perfect night, right? Except I’ve got girl flu which means that instead I’ve got a date with my sofa and some Vicks Vaporub 😳. To cheer me up, Emma from my fave florist @hayfordandrhodesflowers showed up with this stunner of a love-wreath for my front door (#gift). It’s for all of you, too - my little Galentine’s gift to anyone in need of a bit of love 💗. Swipe for wreath close-up 😍. Right: better get into the Lemsip before my chat runs out...🤒
It’s like @houseofhackney read my mind sometimes 👩🏻‍🎤💭. There I am, trying to find a cool, jungle-with-a-twist wallpaper for my 9yo son’s bedroom when WHAM! the kings of maximalism serve up these rolls of dino-design deliciousness 🦕🦖 - swipe for the Ecru colourway. Obviously I prefer the pink but I don’t think the progeny is going to go for it 🙄. Hell, I might just paper the walls of the kitchen with it instead! PHH is going to be absolutely THRILLED! 😃💖😃
#pinkisforpeople
[AD] What an INCREDIBLE holiday. The main aim of this, our first ever family skiing trip, was to introduce the kids to a sport me and PHH both love with a passion, and show them how much fun it could be. Mission accomplished ⛷ 😍. And that’s thanks to: excellent ski instructors (St Gervais ski school 🙌🏻); wonderful weather (loads of snow, blue skies nearly every day); and, of course, @chalet_mirabelle, which has taken what is a potentially fraught situation (first time away skiing with two young kids) and turned it into a truly magical experience for every single one of us. Yes, this is an AD, but don’t for one second think I wouldn’t have written exactly the same thing had we been paying full price. And yes, I fully intend to book the chalet for next year, no AD required. 
p.s. That is a cup of tea I’m holding #rocknroll 
OVER ON STORIES: PHH jumping out of the hot tub into piles of snow. There are other Stories but they pale in comparison. 💖
#familyskitrip #stgervais #montblanc #hottub #thepinkhouse
[AD - #guest] This seriously stylish ski lodge comes with a serious story...As a result of @chalet_mirabelle owner/designer Jacqueline’s cancer diagnosis at the start of the chalet’s build (she has thankfully now been given the all clear), wellness played a huge part in its design. From the products - which are all sustainable, recyclable and eco-friendly - to the catering, with its emphasis on local, organic and seasonal ingredients, Chalet Mirabelle is full of thoughtful touches, with the well-being of its inhabitants and the planet in mind. But that’s not where the story ends...
Having survived the c-bomb (and the chalet build) Jacqueline pledged to give back, especially to cancer and family trauma support areas. And so she has committed to giving 2 weeks’ free stay per year at Chalet Mirabelle to charitable causes, starting with the chalet as an auction lot for @maggiescentres ‘Secret Garden Party’ this March. 
It’s been an honour to stay at @chalet_mirabelle - not only because it has provided the venue for our family’s best EVER holiday ⛷🕺🏼🌭🥂 (and we still have 2 whole days left!), but also because of what it gives back to the world, in so many senses. 
Photo: @susielowephoto 💖 SEE STORIES FOR: The 9yo’s reaction to apres ski | What kids can learn after 3 ski lessons | Ski style in the 1980s 💖
It’s been a brilliant, beautiful bluebird day up here in the French Alps above St Gervais 💙. But there’s no doubt that skiing - and especially skiing with kids - involves rather a large amount of faff. Is it worth it? YOU BETCHA! Especially if you’re staying at @chalet_mirabelle [AD - #guest], where they have genuinely thought of everything when it comes to ensuring all members of the family have the best possible skiing holiday. So for anyone who’s considering hitting the piste avec progeny, once I’m back from this snowy paradise I’ll be writing a blog post sharing my dos and don’ts of a successful family skiing holiday. Speaking of which, I’m just off for a sauna before I finish the champagne I started in the hot tub earlier 🥂. The kids? Oh they’re playing with the mountains of Lego and watching Netflix in the gorgeous playroom (pic to follow soon). Haven’t seen them for hours 🙌🏻. OVER ON STORIES: Me making an apres ski tit of myself as per 🕺🏼 | Lunch with a view | The 6yo ready to ski | Sauna @chalet_mirabelle
❄️ #skiingwithkids #bluebird #stgervais #ihavethisthingwithpink #ontopoftheworld #thepinkhouse #pinkhouseliving
Life’s pretty full on right now and I have a sneaking suspicion I may have taken on too much (ground floor renovation and wall knock-through; bathroom extension building; kids bedrooms renovation; blog relaunch; book launch; kids to keep alive; Pink House Husband to entertain...etc). But I refuse to be beaten. And I refuse to be one of those constantly busy people who are always rushing around saying how busy they are (I have been guilty of this on a number of occasions). Because, as The Beatles remind us, life is what happens to you when you’re busy making other plans. So to ensure I enjoy the life I’m living right now, as well as the life I’m planning for, I’m currently doing the following things:
* Listening to my favourite musical soundtracks (today was West Side Story and Crazy For You)
* Dancing to said musical soundtracks in the kitchen and imagining I’m on a West End stage until someone shouts they can smell burnt fish fingers
* Buying and appreciating lots of pink tulips (see Stories for the most amazing pink-and-yellow beauties)
* Gazed at these glazed breakfast bar tiles (@bertandmay Siham tiles) which are just the perfect shade of pink and one of my favourite parts of The Pink House
* Lapping up (not literally 😳) the hilarious memes involving #fyrefestival ‘s ‘take one for the team’ boss Andy King (see Stories) 🍆
What about you? What’s giving you life this week? 
#cheatingonfashionwithfurniture #pinkhouseliving
This where I’ll be having breakfast on Sunday morning 🥐. And for the next 6 mornings after that 🥐🥐🥐🥐🥐🥐. Except the view from the beautiful @chalet_mirabelle doesn’t look like this right now. Because the mountains around St Gervais in the French Alps are COVERED IN SNOW! ⛷☃️ Yup - me and the Pink House Husband are taking the kids skiing for the very first time, and we couldn’t be staying in a more beautiful, or more family-friendly place 👨‍👩‍👦‍👦✅. If you’ve ever thought about taking your kids skiing but were worried it would all end in tears (yup 🙋🏼‍♀️), Chalet Mirabelle could very well be the answer. I’ll be reporting from the slopes, sofa and sauna next week (I know; tough job) so you can see how we get on ⛷🛋😅
FULL DISCLAIMER: My family and I will be staying at Chalet Mirabelle as Jacqueline’s guests. Jacqueline followed me on Instagram and asked if I would be interested in staying in her brand new chalet in return for Instagram coverage and a blog post, as she thought you, my style-savvy Pink House Guests, would appreciate the place (spoiler: it’s completely gorgeous.) Even better, when Jacqueline was looking for an interiors photographer to photograph her beautiful new chalet she decided to ask The Pink House’s very own @susielowephoto out to the Chalet in the summer, so I have Susie’s beautiful interior shots to share with you, which will be interspersed by some snowy scenes when we actually arrive. I’m so excited I might cry; though it’s been 11 years since I last went skiing so let’s hope the crying isn’t as a result of a downhill race against PHH that goes badly wrong... #guest

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