Georgian Bathroom design and insider top tips

10 Jan Georgian Bathroom design and insider top tips

Interview with Dawn Pirie, Senior Bathroom designer, Etons of Bath

Dawn Pirie is Etons of Bath’s senior bathroom designer with years of experience of designing luxury bathrooms for Georgian houses and hotels nationwide. Here, we ask her for top tips on interior design schemes for bathrooms in Georgian properties (and a few photos of recent stunning bathroom projects from Etons of Bath!)

What classic features of Georgian houses do you try to integrate into the bathrooms you design?

The main bread and butter items are brassware and sanitary ware. In Georgian bathroom design, you can use some lovely traditional pieces and then mix in something more contemporary or keep it classic with tiles and wall finishes depending on the direction you want the design to go. 

For example, in the Queensbury hotel project in Bath, we have used mainly traditional products and design but then mixed in a couple of quirky wallpapers to add that contemporary eclectic twist. Integrating any architectural details from the rest of the property is important like ornate coving or ceiling roses. Panelling is always lovely to use as well, and we have specialist joiners who can make to our designs.

What’s your approach to lighting in Georgian bathrooms?

I tend to light a Georgian bathroom in a similar way to any contemporary bathroom apart from the main decorative fittings. Lighting design has come on leaps and bounds in the last decade and I feel it’s important to include this in all bathrooms so that you get that same range of atmosphere and long-lasting LED fittings. 

In a Georgian bathroom design, I tend to use more traditional decorative lighting like chandeliers or wall lights and then use discrete down lights to highlight focal points and then marker lights or LED strips to create ambience. My bête noir is bathroom designs that only use standard downlighters as the light is poor and it feels very sterile in there! Using wall lights and even chandeliers in bathrooms gives them the real wow factor and the light effect is much softer too.

What are the best sources of heating in Georgian bathrooms?

As part of the overall Georgian bathroom interior design scheme, I often use a beautiful traditional ball joint towel radiator or a decorative column radiator. I include underfloor heating as well (can be electric or wet system) so that tiles are warm under your feet. Plus heated towel radiators can act as heating in smaller bathrooms too. 

For hotel bathrooms you design, what additional factors do you need to take into consideration?

Durability and longevity is a big one as they get a lot of use so nothing delicate in hotel bathroom interior design schemes! If you use a wall covering rather than tiles, then a decorators glaze should definitely be used to seal it. I always specify good quality fittings that will stand the test of time and hold spare parts. We also have to comply with all the electrical regulations including making sure that all lights have the correct IP rating. And I always look to ensure there are no sharp edges or trip hazards! 

Who are your top three brands for Georgian bathroom design and why?

Samuel Heath have a series of  great designs for sanitaryware and are UK manufactured – well worth the extra budget over the long term. Artisans of Devizes are great for their range of tiles and bespoke items. V&A Baths have some lovely designs that add wow factor.

If you’d like Etons of Bath to help with transforming your bathroom into a stunning space in your Georgian home, please contact us today.