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Who lives here? Samantha Silver, a beauty editor and content creator, lives here with her husband, Nick, and two children.
project A new guest bathroom as part of a loft extension and whole house renovation in north-west London.
total cost £5,000
When Samantha and her family bought their home in March 2024, it was a blank canvas with many challenges. In October, we started renovating it. We did a two-storey extension, first floor and loft – and we lived in the house during the eight-month build!’ she says.
A major focus was on creating a layout that worked for their family. The previous owners had three children’s bedrooms on the first floor and the main in the loft. ‘We have two children and wanted to be on the same floor as them, so we flipped the layout. We knocked two rooms together on the first floor to make the master suite and the loft is for visitors.’
(Image credit: Ca Pietra)
This Loft bathroomHowever, it has become one of Samantha’s favorite rooms. ‘It was built as a guest bathroom but it’s so beautiful I love going in there. It is calm and quiet. It looks quite feminine, and I live in a house with three boys, so it’s a real treat.’
‘As a beauty editor, I always have lots of products in our suite bathroom downstairs. It’s quieter here, with nothing on show – my mum can even put her toiletry bag and toothbrush in the drawer when she visits,’ says Samantha.
(Image credit: Ca Pietra)
A large Velux window fills the space with light, making it feel airy and inviting. ‘Lighting was really important to us,’ says Samantha. ‘It was something we carefully considered in every room.’
‘Daylight floods in from Velux windows and we added a carefully thought-out layered lighting scheme of spots, strips, under-cabinet and wall lights.’
Materials add warmth and texture to a space. ‘We wanted to mix natural materials to give an interior design experience without actually using an interior designer. Flute marble and reeded wood effect tiles look very Scandi and the floor brings it all together.’
(Image credit: Ca Pietra)
The loft bathroom was the most difficult space to plan. ‘The measurements were missed in the initial design and once the insulation was factored in, we lost head height, especially where the shower is,’ recalls Samantha.
The rooms are a high-low mix of budget-friendly and more luxury pieces – it’s got a spa vibe, totally Scandi and chic.
‘The room is long and thin; That meant the shower could only go in one place, which didn’t leave much headroom as it was down a slope. My husband spent years trying to find a shower head that would fit in the tiny gap – it was either that or have to crouch under the shower.’
‘The shower head feels really architectural because it’s not on the arm. In fact, he was the only one who worked here,’ she explains.
For a similar shower screen, try Arezzo Square Frameless 10mm Wetroom Screen with Ceiling Arm, £299.95, Victorian Plumbing
(Image credit: Ca Pietra)
Over the summer, renovations were completed. ‘We finished around July and now we’re happily enjoying the house, although we’re still having some snagging,’ says Samantha. To see more of Samantha’s renovations, follow @samantha_silver_
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