A Color Consultant Turned a Bedroom Into a Bold Bathroom in Her Victorian Home
When you have four bedrooms and only one toilet in your home, you start to think about what can change and what you’d be willing to sacrifice for the convenience of having more than one bathroom.
“Our home only had one bathroom (including just one toilet!), so we knew we needed to add another,” says Emily Harnasz about her 1890s Victorian Scottish Villa.
So that’s exactly what Emily and her husband, Tom, did. They had “four near-identical-sized bedrooms” and were willing to turn one of them into “dream luxury family bathroom space,” Emily shares.
She Wanted a Unique Space That Reflected Their Personality Through Color
Emily is a Color Consultant for YesColours and founder of Swish Colour, where she helps others find colors and paints that fit their homes and create spaces that make them happy. Because of her background, she knew her family’s dream luxury space “needed to be unique and special to [them].”
They Added Modern Must-Haves Without Losing the Home’s Historic Character
Emily and Tom had been dreaming of the “ultimate” bathroom for years, so of course they had a list of “must-haves.” They knew they wanted a free-standing bathtub, colorful accents, and to restore the original wooden floors.
“The spaces [in their home] hadn’t been decorated for many years and were looking tired and in need of some love,” Emily explains. Because it was a bedroom originally, and an 1890s bedroom at that, the room still had the original fireplace, which was a priority to keep.
“We wanted to be sympathetic to the heritage of the property, whilst also bringing a fresh and modern feel to things,” Emily says.
They Had to Add Plumbing to the Room, Which Made the Process Slow and Tiring
“This project wasn’t just a quick fix,” Emily explains. “We were turning a space that had no plumbing into our primary bathroom, so things took time.”
Emily and Tom had to figure out options for what locations for the new plumbing would do the smallest amount of damage to their period property. They ended up pausing the project for 6 months to regroup because determining the best places for the sink, bath, shower, and toilet took a toll.
Once decided though, the process still wasn’t straightforward. “We had to rip out all the old lath and plaster, and [then] insulate and plasterboard from scratch,” Emily says.
But the couple was very lucky because the original wood floors were in great condition. Restoring and treating them was a must-have, and Emily notes that they turned out beautifully with no issues.
“Prep and prime everything, especially in a bathroom,” Emily shares. Even though each step took time and some took more of a toll than others, Emily and Tom were able to focus on the details that will make each finish last. “For us, longevity was key, so the extra time making sure everything was properly attended to means finishes will stand the test of time.”
The Bathroom Has a Blend of Timeless Details and Playful Colors
“We knew the fixtures would bring that timeless feel, whilst our bolder color choices bring the fun and playfulness,” Emily says.
As color consultant at YesColours, Emily chose the brand’s “Serene Green” for the walls, “Mellow Yellow” for the panelled wainscoting, and a custom mix of rich green for the historic — but nonworking — fireplace.
The bold paint colors paired with the classic bathroom fixtures that Emily brought in — like the chrome washstand, traditional low-level WC set, and exposed chrome showerhead from Thomas Crapper & Co.
“I absolutely love spending time in our new bathroom — it’s possibly my favorite room in the entire house now,” Emily describes. “It feels inviting and fun yet relaxing and zen all at the same time.”
Inspired? Submit your own project here. And check out Emily’s home office transformation, where she discovered an unexpected original feature!
Shop This Before & After
- Paints
- Products
- Georgian Short Panelling from The English Panelling Company
- Deep Rebated Dado Rail Trim from The English Panelling Company
- Florenzi Cast-Iron Radiator
- Chrome Washstand from Thomas Crapper & Co.
- Traditional Low-Level “Forest Green” WC Set from Thomas Crapper & Co.
- Exposed Chrome Thermostatic Shower from Thomas Crapper & Co.