Starting a new home project can feel somewhat daunting. Especially when you have a newborn to look after. There are so many decisions to make with endless products to pick from, so it’s a good idea to start with something you absolutely love. Be it a colour, material, a piece of furniture, a style, shape or pattern. For digital creator @rachael_keegan, it was a chequerboard design that was the inspiration for her new family bathroom.
“I have been planning this bathroom since before we even moved into our house one-and-a-half years ago,” she explains, “so safe to say a lot of thought has gone into it. I got my inspiration from Pinterest and Instagram and I quite quickly became a little obsessed with the idea of chequerboard.
“I saw a bathroom created by Amber Lewis (@amberinteriors) a while back on my explore page on Instagram with pale blue and cream chequerboard tiles and couldn't stop thinking about it. I went through so many iterations in my head though and wasn't sure if I was bold enough to actually commit to it, but I'm so glad I did, as I think it looks so beautiful and impactful, without being too much.”
Products Shown: Journeyman Zellige Caramel, Journeyman Zellige Beige, Porth Wen Beige
Rachael kept the general layout but the finished room has been completely transformed. Before, it was an outdated beige with chipped tiles, peeling paint, an over-bath shower and single basin. Rachael knew this configuration wasn’t up to the task so she slid the bath along, creating a new shower area in the corner where the bath originally sat. And as it’s a decent sized room, she added a double basin vanity to make early mornings a breeze and use all available space.
Products Shown: Journeyman Zellige Caramel, Journeyman Zellige Beige, Porth Wen Beige
A curved archway leads through to the walk-in shower, which is tiled throughout with our Journeyman Zellige Caramel and Beige. Laid in a chequerboard pattern, these tiles harness the look of traditional Moroccan craftsmanship with their rich, textured surface that creates an authentic handmade style. The two-tone effect brings spa-style quality to the bathroom and appears effortlessly relaxed yet invigorating with its complementary colour combination.
Products Shown: Journeyman Zellige Caramel, Journeyman Zellige Beige
The tiles continue around the room and their natural palette provides the perfect partner to Rachael’s carefully curated pieces, from the beautiful oak double vanity unit with marble top to the perfume cabinet filled with her favourite scents.
Products Shown: Journeyman Zellige Caramel, Journeyman Zellige Beige
“Much like dressing yourself, I think your home should also be a reflection of you and your personality and I have already been told on a few occasions that our new bathroom is 'so me' or 'me in bathroom form', which is lovely to hear,” says Rachael. “I love caramel, beige and neutral tones and wanted to create a calming and chic space, but also with some fun and personality. Also, an arched walk-in shower was always top of my list - we live in a 1930s house with a split staircase and arched landing so it is beautifully in-keeping.”
The curvaceous bath is also both practical and elegant. By painting it the same tone as the walls, Rachael has achieved a sense of cohesion throughout the space, while a brushed brass shower mixer enables Rachael to bathe and hair wash her two children with ease.
Products Shown: Journeyman Zellige Caramel, Journeyman Zellige Beige
For the flooring, Rachael chose our Porth Wen Beige porcelain tiles, which create a calming, natural feel underfoot that helps to anchor the space and let the rest of the scheme breathe. The tiles feature subtle variations in texture and tone to mimic the beauty of natural stone while the material itself is hardwearing and durable and has that all-important anti-slip finish.
“I have a very aesthetic brain,” she adds, “and knew I wanted it to look beautiful with a bit of character, but still quite calming in tone. We have two little boys so perhaps I should have thought a little more about practicality with a built-in bath. Alas, I had my heart set on a freestanding one so there is just a lot of splash control currently. The walk-in shower is really practical though and we opted for a smaller bath in the end to accommodate a larger shower area.”
