GREAT IDEAS ON TAP

Beach hut bathing

CosT: Quickstep Natural varnished Oak Shipdeck flooring, pounds 33.99 per square metre (www.quick-step.com).Black gloss floor tiles and some brick-shaped black and white tiles add Deco charm for good measure.paint in duck egg, pounds 14.98 per 750ml both B&Q (www.diy.com, 0845 850 0175).1. Paint the walls One of the quickest and simplest ways to transform a room is to spend a morning or afternoon painting. Look out for paints suitable for a humid bathroom environment, such as Crown kitchen and bathroom. And if your walls are slightly uneven, try using panelling to disguise the imperfections. Cost: Crown kitchen and bathroom paint in lola plum and soft duck egg, pounds 21.48 per 2.5 litres (www.crownpaint.co.uk, 01254 704951). EASIpanel raised and fielded design, pounds 8.99 per 3ft panel, pounds 10.99 per 5ft panel (www.easipanel.co.uk, 0115 911 3500).8. Paint old tiles Tiles are expensive to replace, so you might want to think about painting over them instead using a product such as International one-coat tile paint. Another quick solution is to make the tiles look as good as new by giving them a good clean before using a grout pen, which will bring your existing, stained and ageing grout back to life.Cost: Arthouse Disco Wallpaper, pounds 9.99 per roll (www.arthouse.com, 01706 239600) or try a specialist bathroom paper such as the Contour range (www.grahamandbrown.com, 0800 328 8452).The focus is on relaxation and tranquility, which can be achieved with a lick of pastelcoloured paint and pebble-coloured mosaic tiles.Accessorise with fluffy towels in matching and contrasting colours.Large mirror pounds 300, The Packhouse. Provencal rattan white chair pounds 275, The French Bedroom Company. Flannel and towel from a selection at M & S. Beaker pounds 14.50; beach bag (on floor) pounds 45, Susie Watson Designs.Bath products from a selection at M & S. Books stylists own. Storage jar pounds 39, Susie Watson Designs.3. Details Revamping what you already have, investing in a quick fix or relatively inexpensive accessory, can change the look of your bathroom far more than you might think. It could be a new shower curtain or a fluffy bath mat - or even a designer light-pull cord in a bright metallic colour. Minor changes can make a world of difference.SHOPPING LISTCost: Concept metal Venetian blind in Vermillion, from pounds 22 for a 60cm by 60cm made-to-measure blind (www.tuiss.co.uk, 0800 862 0466).Cost: Block Designer light pull, pounds 9.99 each (www.funkyolive.co.uk, 0118 988 7330).On shelf: Mug pounds 8, Rockett St George. Body cream from a selection at M & S. Black frame pounds 8, votives pounds 6 for 3, both Tesco. Daddy Rules print, pounds 49, Rockett St George.Cost: International Japlac paint in various bright colours, pounds 8.99 for 400ml (www.international-paints.co.uk, 0844 770 9444).STOCKISTS: dunelm-mill.com 08451 656565; frenchbedroomcompanyco.uk, 08456 448022; marksandspencer.com, 0845 302 1234; packhouse.com, 01252 781010; pedlars.co.uk, 01330850 4000; robertsradio. co.uk, 01709 571722; rockettstgeorge.co.uk, 020 8350 5450; tesco.com, 0800 505 555It's decadent and fun with more than a touch of The Avengers about it.WHEN you have calculated the total amount of tiles you need, add on 10 per cent for breakages and for replacing damaged tiles in future.If you love Pop Art and retro London schemes, then this is the look for you.USE floor tiles on floors - wall tiles are not tough enough.This quirky style will add a touch of humour to any bathroom.5. Revamp your bath If you have a traditional-style old bath or have your eye on a reclaimed one, you may be able to repaint the outside. This Cook and Lewis Duchess roll-top bath (pounds 1,400) has been painted in a duck-egg blue to create a classic and timeless look.WHETHER you're sprucing up your existing bathroom or splashing out on a whole new suite, this beach hut bathing look is quick and simple to create.We used: Bathroom details (as before). Paint, Durable Matt Raspberry (2.5l) pounds 15.99. Bevelled edge brick ceramic wall tile pounds 14.98 (per pack). Natural black granite floor tiles pounds 20.54 (per pack), all Wickes. Black mirror pounds 59.99, Dunelm Mill; flannel pounds 1, Tesco. Toothbrush holder pounds 9.95; soap pump pounds 15.95, Rockett St George. Waterloo chair pounds 525, Dark Frou Frou black chandelier, pounds 140, The French Bedroom Company.We used: Renata bath pounds 1,332; Athens basin taps and bath mixer pounds 510; 600mm curved vanity bowl pounds 508; 600mm curved vanity cabinet in walnut pounds 512; 400mm box storage mirror pounds 204; Paint, Bathroom Beach-hut (2.5l) pounds 15.99; tumbled travertine mosaic wall tiles, pounds 13.94 (per pack); Travertine honed & filled floor tiles pounds 17.64 (per pack), all available from Wickes.Cost: International One Coat Tile Paint, shown here in serene green, pounds 17.99 per 750ml. International Grout Pen, pounds 3.99 (www.international-paints.co.uk, 0844 770 9444).2. Paper a feature wall Creating a feature wall will make the biggest difference to your bathroom. There are many choices depending on your budget and level of skill, but one thing to make sure of is that you paper the wall furthest away from your bath or shower.For more information call Wickes on 0845 274 1000 or go to www.wickes.co.uk - to find your nearest store, call free on 0500 300 328 or visit www.wickes.co.uk/storelocatorCost: Deva Insignia basin taps, pounds 107.53 with a 12-year parts guarantee (www.deva.org.uk, 0800 195 1602).

For more information call Wickes on 0845 274 1000 or go to www.wickes.co.uk - to find your nearest store, call free on 0500 300 328 or visit www.wickes.co.uk/storelocator

Author: Anonymous