I was invited down to C.P. Hart‘s main showroom in London’s Waterloo to discuss my proposed “Dream Bathroom”. Along with 5 other bloggers including Dear Designers, Stylist’s Own and Fabric of My Life, we met with the C.P. Hart showroom management and designers and toured the Waterloo showroom.
Having pored over the inspiration gallery on the C.P. Hart website while I was redoing my own bathrooms, I was really excited to see its main showroom again (without the pressure of making decisions).
The first four bathroom sets as you enter the showroom show a capsule collection so you get a feel for the rest of the showroom. Each is the size of the average British bathroom. I’d be happy to put this bath set in its entirety in my own bathroom. It is designed with elements of industrial designer Jaime Hayon’s Organico range, who also designed the fabulous Ro chair seen at Clerkenwell Design Week.
In addition to Jaime Hayon, C.P. Hart has collaborations with lots of other leading designers. I personally love the whimsy of the bathroom pieces designed by Dutch designer, Marcel Wanders. Marriage is a compromise, however, and in our own home, we’ve put in a lot of C.P. Hart’s Starck ranges which have become design classics.
How’s this for full-on glamour? If you don’t want to take away a period fireplace from your room, why not add it into the bathtub surround?
I love the decorative touches in this show bathroom. Personalising a bathroom really make the room feel welcoming and a place to linger. Note the different textures below which adds interest to the room – the cool marble, the shiny champagne bucket, and the softness of the fur wrap.
As well as the freestanding bath, the showroom showed different ways of having an inset bath. Let’s face it, freestanding baths require space which many city bathrooms don’t have. I particularly like this inset bathtub with steps leading to it. You can get the feel of a sunken bath without having to remove floorboards. Can’t you just imagine a bathtub inset this way near a window with a view?
C.P. Hart are also very good at updating a traditional look for a modern bathroom. Whilst retaining a traditional feel, little touches such as this bathroom tap in brushed chrome ensures your bathroom doesn’t feel dated. Moreover, even a traditional bathroom can have a bit of modern pisazz by adding a lighting classic!
The showroom is also at the forefront of cutting edge design (of which you can see more on their website). How about this beaded shower head for a frisson of excitement?
Or, how about this beautiful glass bowl-shaped sink?
Alternatively, you can go super-modern with a bowl which appears to rise straight from its countertop. The tap is very high and is set into the floor. The wood furniture adds warmth as well as straight lines which juxtapose well with the curved shapes of the tap and sink.
So, what was my favourite set? This bathroom below (which apparently also caught Gwyneth Paltrow’s eye).
I love the huge black bathtub, the black gloss finish, the dressing-table style sink and bathroom light shaped like a table lamp. The large black mirror reflects the black gloss cabinetry which provides ample storage. The oversized flowers are very cool. There’s space at the end of the tub for necessities such as champagne! The chrome sink and fixtures add a bit of sparkle. Although the room is very neutral in colour (black, white and taupe), the overall effect is anything but boring.
What do you think of these showroom sets? What’s your favourite piece? I would love to hear from you.