With the size of the average UK bathroom measuring around 4.4m2, the latest designer collection from RAK Ceramics solves the problem of creating luxury results in compact spaces. In fact, RAK-Petit is designed specifically with small bathrooms in mind with a transversal collection of washbasins designed for architects and interior designers who address the spatially-challenged environments.
Created in collaboration with award-winning Italian designer Maurizio Scutellà, RAK-Petit is a collection of small washbasins for compact spaces, from cloakrooms and en-suites to small family bathrooms. With minimal shapes and modest dimensions, RAK-Petit washbasins are perfect for small but special bathroom spaces that are also big on style.
The collection includes deep-based washbasins that can be installed alone or combined with RAK-Joy vanity units in the domestic bathrooms, as well as freestanding washbasins that are statement pieces in their own right.
Featuring circular and square shapes, the freestanding ceramic RAK-Petit washbasins in striking Alpine White measure an elegant 360mm wide x 900mm tall. RAK-Petit wall-hung washbasins are equally as stylish, again with round or square basin shapes combined with a ceramic ledge, providing an easy to wipe clean surface for soaps and toothbrushes. Measurements for the wall-hung basins are 765mm x 360mm.
About RAK Ceramics
RAK Ceramics help to create icons and build marvels; their products feature in some of the most iconic buildings in the world. They are known for their wide product range and ability to produce bespoke ranges for both small and large scale projects, enabling the clients to bring their ideas to life.
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It's time to talk toilets. Are you wondering what to do with your next guest loo? As the old saying goes, big things come in small packages - and in this case, the toilet! Usually the smallest room of a residential project, SBID Accredited Designer, Richard Dewhurst of Richard Dewhurst Interior Architecture has much bigger ideas. Who said the guest lavatory can't be just as lavish as the rest of the house? Richard explains why guest washrooms deserve their time to shine and how he has designed these small, often overlooked spaces with maximum impact - making a statement that will leave a lasting impression on any visitor!
Having worked on many residential refurbishment projects over the years, I’ve come to realise that the smallest room in the house can offer one of the best opportunities to get creative and interestingly, it seems that even the most conservative of clients can be convinced that the guest loo is a wonderful way of showing friends and family that they not only have a fun side, but are willing to push the design boundaries, giving them a bit of added kudos to boot.
On many occasions I’ve been able to spend a disproportionally larger budget on this room than anywhere else in the house, allowing myself to try out new ideas, use interesting materials or simply to specify an item I haven’t had the chance to use before. With the seemingly unending supply of new and exciting products coming to market, this room provides a perfect platform to let one’s creativity shine.
Here are three guest loos I’ve recently designed, which incidentally, are in different but identical houses on the same side of the same street, creating a touch of loo envy between the neighbours!
In this room I decided to go for a strong monochrome look, creating a bold and powerful statement by using different versions of the same hex tile from a range by Mandarin Stone. I further accentuated the geometric feel by using Duravit Vero Sanitaryware and a facetted, brushed & pierced brass ceiling light from Tom Dixon. The moody and sultry atmosphere was further enhanced by painting the walls and ceiling matt black and by using a matt black tap by Dornbracht.
My clients wanted a more traditional look in their loo so I lined the room with new tongue and groove panelling painted in Farrow & Ball Off Black, complimented by a fun but sophisticated Fornasetti feature wallpaper from Cole & Son. The floor was covered in wonderfully patinated Victorian floor tiles salvaged from a recently demolished conservatory and laid in a pattern of my design. I sourced the Victorian sink & stand from English Salvage and after a light restoration, it looked amazing! A pair of lovely art deco taps supplied by Architectural Antiques, a vintage mirror and articulated wall lights by Dowsing and Reynolds completed the look.
Sometimes it’s fun to design a completely unexpected space and I certainly had the opportunity to on this project. The stunning backlit stretch ceiling by Barisol created a perfectly uniform light spread, and the seamless curved polished plaster walls gave a feeling of spatial infinity. This was offset by the handmade turquoise Czech tiles; adding a burst of deep colour and lushness to the room. The concrete sink was by Kast and space-age looking wall-mounted toilet from CP Hart.
About the Author
Award-winning designer, Richard Dewhurst of Richard Dewhurst Interior Architecture specialises in quality interiors for the residential and commercial sector. After recently relocating his practice to Portsmouth, Richard is now taking project enquiries in the South Coast.
This article was written by Richard Dewhurst of Richard Dewhurst Interior Architecture.
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For many the thought of a huge behemoth aquarium in their living room, kitchen or dining area can be off putting to say the least. Despite the tendency of aquarists (people who create or keep aquariums) to have a preference for larger aquariums, bigger isn’t necessarily better when talking about aquariums as integrated features within interiors.
When most people think of aquariums that have been integrated into the structure or interior of a space they usually think of huge awe inspiring installations worth £10,000’s or even £100,000’s. A beautifully designed small aquarium can add just as much life and beauty to a space as a 3 metre long statement feature without emptying the bank account. Whilst the initial impact is more subtle, small aquariums still add a dynamic element to a space creating; light, colour and movement.
As I mentioned before fish keepers in general tend to have a “bigger is better” approach when designing and creating their aquariums. This tendency to create the largest possible aquarium (budget permitted) can sometimes lead to a break or disruption within the natural flow of a space. Often the result is a large overbearing eyesore that doesn’t really work with the layout of the room. From a design perspective this can make balancing aesthetics and functionality within a space challenging at best! The purpose of an aquarium within any interior should be to create balance and positive energy whilst adding a beautiful yet dynamic element to the space.
The UK is currently going through a small home crisis. An ever increasing demand for more affordable housing as a result of a highly inflated property market, has forced developers to build smaller new homes that sell for less money. This is compounded with the increasing pressure by local authorities and central government to restrict urban sprawl onto green belt land, forcing developers to create homes on space restrictive brown belt land as part of on-going urban regeneration schemes. With limited space and an ever diminishing first time buyer’s market it’s little surprise that the average home in Britain today is 15% smaller than anywhere else in Europe.
The average UK home size of 818 square feet is currently 10% smaller than of 30 years ago. With increasing pressure on the government from developers lobbying for the complete removal of minimum size standards, it is totally plausible for the current trend of house size reduction to continue into the foreseeable future. According to studies carried out by RIBA UK houses are currently 8.8% smaller than what they should be, creating a detrimental effect on peoples stress levels and overall wellbeing.
Small aquariums solve the problems that can arise when designing or building an aquarium into a small space; as they are easier to assimilate into the physical environment, and so allow for more design options. The smaller footprint means that they can be easily built into corners, alcoves or specially adapted room furniture. They make great accent features by either drawing the attention to particular areas within a space or being part of a wider arrangement. i.e. a seating area or an accented display.
In terms of colour most modern and contemporary spaces tend have a subdued palette with stone colours and wood finishes or completely monochrome with white being the new black! For the designer who likes to add colour through accessorising a small aquarium is the perfect solution to add that splash of colour without disrupting those clean lines that they covert so dearly.
6 Tips for integrating a small aquarium into your interior
Within the last 5 years there has been an explosion of technological advances that has made keeping small aquaria a much more viable and affordable option. With an ever increasing population size and a demand for small and more affordable housing, this sector of the aquatics industry is set to expand massively within the next 10 years. With the implications of cramped housing having an overall impact on general health and wellbeing it is totally foreseeable that small aquariums could increasingly become more popular with future home owners as they look for alternative ways to improve their quality of life.
Author: Aquarium designer and SBID member Akil Gordon-Beckford
Caption: Reef tank creating a colourful accent amidst this mostly monochrome interior by Aquarium Design Group
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