The Idle Hands

Sandra Baker

After 13 years at the bottom of the "to-do" list, this top-floor guest bathroom finally received the love it deserved. Once a non-functional storage space, Sandra has transformed her bathroom into a luxurious, personality-filled sanctuary.

By reconfiguring the layout to include a spacious walk-in shower and the centerpiece Widcombe vanity unit, she swapped "clinical" for "comfortable." Featuring a warm palette of butter yellow and brass, paired with vintage oil paintings and underfloor heating, this renovation proves that even the smallest rooms can offer a high-end, hospitable experience.

Before

After

The inspiration

To move away from the clinical feel of traditional bathrooms, the design centers on a warm, "lived-in" aesthetic that treats the space like any other room in the home. A soft butter-yellow palette is layered with colorful tile accents and brass fittings to create immediate warmth. By incorporating vintage oil paintings and curated accessories, Sandra's styling achieves an informal, high-end personality that prioritises comfort.

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What was the biggest challenge with your old bathroom?

"Everything! It's a guest bathroom on the top floor of the house, and we've lived here for 13 years and never touched it. In a house where every room has had to be started from scratch, it was sadly near the bottom of the list (poor guests) and other priorities took over. The sink and toilet were functional but the shower hadn't worked for years and the nearest bathroom for guests was on another floor - not ideal. Everything felt tired and a bit grubby, and we ended up using it for storage for a few years!"

What was your main goal for the renovation?

"To enhance the guest experience at our house! I love hosting friends and family, and always want them to feel as comfortable and 'at home' as possible when they're staying with us. A functional space was the starting point, but I wanted it to have real personality, and a quality, luxurious feeling, to make it a genuinely enjoyable space to use."

What's your favourite part in your new bathroom?

"It's got to be the Widcombe vanity unit, with its gorgeous curves! It's not a huge bathroom, and there was no real need for a larger vanity, but I fell in love with the curved sides, and that was that. It's actually the perfect size for the space, and gives such good storage for towels, bathmats, spare toilet rolls - I love having everything neatly packed away and ready for guests. I opted for a single basin, as opposed to a double, and this means a great sized countertop, which is handy for guests to be able to spread their toiletries out, and also provides me with lots of room to display my vintage treasures and vases of flowers!"

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What has made the biggest impact in your new bathroom?

"Aside from a working shower, I'd say it's the reconfiguration of the space. It didn't particularly make sense before and, in a small-ish space, it's important to get it right. The shower was previously in a tiny corner cubicle, so I opened up the space so you can actually move around while showering now! The simple glass shower screen keeps it feeling light and spacious, and moving the toilet created space for my magnificent Widcombe vanity unit. I also got rid of the two radiators and installed underfloor heating, which frees up wall space and gives better, ambient heat. Really, though, the biggest impact is just how it looks. It's absolutely beautiful and I keep sneaking upstairs to have a peek!"

9542 Trend Marston 600 Paper White Washstand Chrome BM

Bathroom Design Trends 2026

Butter yellow

Embracing the retreat trend, butter yellow creates an uplifting, light-catching sanctuary. This versatile hue brings a warm, escape-like feel to walls, tiles, or decorative accessories.

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