From the team behind Hampstead Renovations · Est. 2009 · Learn more
Case StudySt John's Wood, NW8July 2024

Period Bathroom Restoration, St John's Wood

A sympathetic restoration of the principal bathroom in a Grade II listed stucco villa in St John's Wood. The brief was to restore rather than modernise — retaining the period character while introducing modern plumbing and effective ventilation. The result combines a roll-top bath, period-style sanitaryware, hand-painted encaustic tiles, and tastefully concealed modern systems.

Project Type

Bathroom Renovation & Period Restoration

Duration

3 weeks

Project Value

£22,000

The Challenge

The property is Grade II listed, meaning that all changes required Listed Building Consent from Westminster. The original 1860s cast iron pipes were failing but replacement had to be carried out sympathetically, routing new pipework in a manner that did not damage the original plaster cornicing or the existing period tiles (several of which were retained). The bathroom also had a persistent condensation problem that required structural investigation.

Our Solution

We obtained Listed Building Consent from Westminster within 4 weeks. The plumbing was carefully rerouted using modern copper within existing voids, cased in period-style timber boxing to match the existing joinery. The condensation issue was resolved by installing a Nuaire positive input ventilation unit with a discreet roof-mounted intake, avoiding any ceiling penetration in the listed ceiling. Period reproduction sanitaryware and taps were sourced from Perrin & Rowe and Catchpole & Rye.

Results

  • Listed Building Consent obtained from Westminster in 4 weeks
  • Original period tiles retained and reset — only 3 damaged tiles replaced with matched originals
  • Roll-top bath with period freestanding taps installed
  • Full replumbing within period-appropriate casings
  • Persistent condensation eliminated with concealed ventilation
  • Hand-painted encaustic border tiles from specialist NW London supplier

Key Features

  • Grade II listed — Westminster Listed Building Consent obtained
  • Period roll-top cast iron bath with freestanding taps
  • Original Victorian tiles retained and restored
  • Exposed nickel pipework — decorative and period-appropriate
  • Hand-painted encaustic floor tiles
  • Concealed positive-input ventilation

Specification

ItemSpecification
BathCast iron roll-top, white, 1700mm — Burlington Bathrooms
Bath tapsFreestanding crosshead pillar taps — Perrin & Rowe Edwardian, polished nickel
BasinPedestal basin, Burlington Edwardian range — polished nickel taps
Floor tilesHand-painted encaustic tiles, 200×200mm, geometric pattern — Bert & May
Wall tilesOriginal Victorian tiles retained; replacement tiles sourced from Period House Store
Pipework casingsPainted MDF with period beading, matching existing joinery profile

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