Before & After: An interior designer tackles her own bathroom reno
With a baby on the way, Tanya Chancellor set herself the ambitious task of adding a second bathroom to her home in London. As an interior designer and founder of Mouse Interiors, she was well-equipped to create something quite spectacular, even if it meant finalising her plans from the delivery room...
Built in the roof space of her Edwardian terrace, Tanya's bathroom is a delicious combination of refined finishes and ice cream colours. Enormous Velux windows draw in the sunlight and a freestanding bathtub from BC Designs sits like a fabulous centrepiece in the middle of it all.
The final result betrays none of the time restrictions – checkerboard marble, wall-t0-wall panelling and a vintage Hillebrand bath mirror hardly scream 'time-poor' – testament to the skill behind the scheme.
Below, Tanya takes us through the ins and outs of the renovation process and shares all the paint colours, tiles, and finishing touches...
Tell us a little bit about the original space and why you chose to renovate
TC: At the time, the property had three bedrooms and just one very tiny bathroom. With a baby on the way, it was essential to maximise the available space and add a second bathroom before the new arrival.
The vision for the second bathroom was to create a more luxurious retreat—a serene, kid-free zone away from bath toys and the hustle of family life. Positioned at the top of the house and connected to a bedroom with views of the Thames, it was designed to be a private sanctuary, offering a little escape from the chaos of daily living.
Take us through the process
TC: We worked with builders who specialise in loft extensions and had experience with several properties on the same street. After securing planning permission, the focus was on maximising the floor space. We knew the bathroom should be positioned at the front of the property, which faces east, to take full advantage of the beautiful morning sunlight—it creates such a warm and inviting glow to start the day. Once we established the depth of the bathroom, the next challenge was designing the best layout.
How did you decide on the right layout?
TC: Two non-negotiables were a walk-in shower and a bathtub big enough for two, so determining their positions—particularly with the sloping roof—was critical. We explored several layout options and ultimately decided to sacrifice a portion of the bedroom to accommodate both features. Given the space, we decided that a freestanding bathtub was the only viable option. However, due to the ceiling height, we opted for one without feet; the BC Designs Aurelius tub was the perfect choice—its classic and elegant style beautifully complements the Edwardian character of the property.
It was also essential to ensure access to the eaves of the roof to maximise storage, which played a key role in determining the layout and the placement of both the bath and shower. The final layout also allowed us to dedicate one wall to the vanity and WC, creating a practical and functional flow within the space while optimising every available inch.
And where did you start in terms of decoration?
TC: We started with a red marble tile as the focal point to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere and built the colour palette and details around it. We added tongue-and-groove panelling to the walls to introduce texture and depth, giving the space a more layered and tactile feel.
Did you face any challenges in the process?
TC: Yes, there were some challenges! Initially, the plan was to use zellige tiles in the shower, however, due to long lead times, we had to find an alternative solution. The shower tiles we ultimately used have an uneven surface and natural colour variation, creating a similar artisanal effect. In the end, they turned out to be not only more practical but also a more cost-effective option, so it worked out beautifully. After the tiling was complete, we encountered a major issue: a significant leak caused by a loose valve inside the wall by the shower led to the ground floor ceiling collapsing!
Tallow No.203 Paint
John Lewis Portsman Double Towel Cupboard
100% cotton waffle bath towel 90x150cm
Rosso Tumbled Marble
Small Wooden Stool
Small Wooden Stool
Rosso Tumbled Marble
Vintage Wall Light Mirror
What’s your favourite part of the transformation?
TC: The location of the bathroom was one of the best decisions we made. Most of the other terraced houses on the street place their bathrooms at the back, but positioning ours at the front allows sunlight to pour in through the Velux windows. Showering in natural light is such a unique and special experience—it truly elevates the space.
Is there anything you would change if you were to tackle it again?
TC: There are only two things I’d change. First, I would have been more adventurous with the shower tiling. The baby arrived earlier than expected, which meant I had to finalise the tiling plan by messaging the tiler from the hospital. Originally, I wanted to experiment with a different layout and use a coloured version of the same tile to add a border detail along the edges. It would have brought a bit more visual interest to the shower area.
The second change would be upgrading the shower valve to match the Lefroy Brooks taps. While the valve is a similar Art Deco-inspired design and still functions beautifully, I do wish the budget had allowed for fully matching hardware to maintain a cohesive style.
What are your favourite pieces?
TC: The Lefroy Brooks taps are an absolute joy to use every day. Their quality and design are classic yet interesting enough to add a beautiful, timeless detail to the space. The large bathtub is another favourite—it creates a boutique hotel vibe that makes the bathroom feel indulgent and luxurious.
I’m also really proud of the lighting plan. We incorporated three different options: the shower fan, a large globe light, and a light-up 1970s mirror. Both the globe light and the mirror are dimmable, allowing you to set the perfect mood for a relaxing bath. I found the mirror at The Old Cinema in Chiswick—it was a lucky find and fits the space perfectly. Adding antique touches like this brings depth and character to the bathroom, helping it feel warm and inviting, rather than overly clinical.
What were the main paint colours and tiles used?
• Walls and ceiling: Tallow by Farrow & Ball
• Vanity and doors: Exhale AF 515 by Benjamin Moore
• Shelves: Colour matched to the Rosso marble tiles in gloss finish by Benjamin Moore
• Shower tiles: Fellini in Crema at Claybrook
• Flooring: Rosso Tumbled Marble and Calacatta Tumbled Marble, both at Mandarin Stone
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