Case Study: How to create a beautifully balanced bathroom

If there’s one thing we love, it’s interior schemes that strike the balance between contemporary and classic, and Amy Rynehart’s recently refurbished bathrooms at her home in north London are a stellar example.

Thanks to Amy’s openness to combining different looks – she describes the overall style of her house as “quite eclectic” – she’s created two tranquil spaces that fuse bold, modern design with classic elegance perfectly.

Here, Amy tells us how she did it…

Full name: Amy Rynehart                              

Occupation: TV Producer/Property Developer

Style and location of your property: Semi-detached Edwardian house in northwest London conservation area

Who lives there: Myself, my husband Dan, Maia, 14; Milo, 12, and Grace, 8. And Eddie the mini Schnauzer, 5.

How would you describe your interior style?  
I am influenced by mid-century style, and like a fairly monochrome palette with some bold patterns thrown in. My house is quite eclectic – we have redecorated and made changes on a room-by-room basis, and the style is constantly evolving.

Tell us about your bathroom projects…  
I wanted to renovate both our master en-suite bathroom and the family bathroom, as they hadn’t been touched in well over a decade (before we bought the house) and were rather beige and boring.

We stripped everything out and started from scratch, with new sanitaryware, tiles, and lighting.

We also reconfigured the family bathroom, shifting the position of the bath and toilet, and adding in a better shower.

Which Bert & May products did you use?  
In the master ensuite we used the Grey Split Shift tiles as well as some plain grey tiles to break up the pattern and also to define the shower area. We also used the White Skinny Metro tile on the walls.

In the family bathroom we used the Grey Anthropologie tile on the floor and White Skinny Metro tile on the walls.

What inspired your design decisions? 
I loved the Split Shift tile immediately and knew it was right for us. I like the regular shapes that make an irregular pattern and I like the boldness of it - I wanted something that would make a statement but also be timeless. I don’t think I will ever get bored of them.

I wanted something simpler for the walls, so opted for the Skinny Metro, but hung vertically with grey grout to make them pop.

With the black taps, round mirrors, and the round wall lights, everything blends brilliantly.

In the family bathroom I wanted a gender-neutral patterned tile that my kids would all enjoy and that would also stand the test of time. I love the Octagon pattern – it’s not too in your face, but still holds the eye. We decided to opt for a grey and white palette in this bathroom too as it was one we all agreed on. My son was adamant that we should not have a pink bathroom!

What do the tiles add to the space? 
I think the Split Shift makes a real statement but is very pleasing and strangely relaxing to look at, while the Octagon design makes a quieter statement that’s the perfect choice for a family bathroom.

What led you to choose Bert & May?  
Bert & May was recommended to me both by a friend and by interior designer Julie Rouzioux who helped me with some initial drawings and ideas for my bathrooms.

I knew I wanted cement tiles, but I wasn’t sure about having something very traditional. I love that Bert & May’s designs are modern but also feel timeless.

Do you have any other projects on the go?
About a year after doing my bathrooms at home, I bought a cabin at a gorgeous resort in Norfolk called Fritton Lake. It had coincidentally been finished with Bert & May tiles, albeit in a very different designs to my bathrooms. It’s a gorgeous place to stay and is also available to rent via Fritton lake.

Explore Fritton Lake on Instagram:  @frittonlake_shedroom3

To discuss your bathroom project, contact  our design team.

Photography  Beth Davis