Inspiration is always important when starting a new bathroom project. That’s why we want to provide some real-life inspiration with this exciting case study, an inside look at one of the latest projects that Sanctuary Bathrooms helped with from 2022, which was finally completed in early 2024.
Sanctuary Bathrooms was enlisted to help supply new bathroom products to a family living in a four-bedroom, four-bathroom property in a gated community in Battersea, southwest London. This was undertaken in partnership with London-based luxury Interior Architecture and Design Studio, misch_MISCH studio, who had been tasked in helping to carry out comprehensive renovation, curating spaces that blend classic features with modern living, contemporary layouts, and an elegant yet warm minimalist aesthetic, while incorporating the client’s preference for a black and white colour contrast.
Read on to find out more about the project, including a detailed brief, a breakdown of the steps and processes involved, and how it all turned out in the end.
Background of the Project
Project Timescale: 12 months, including 3 months for design and preparation time
Budget: Flexible
Property Information: A 2,286 square foot modern mews house, built in 1999 as part of a gated community in Battersea. Three storeys, four bedrooms and four bathrooms.
The Brief
The clients had enlisted misch_MISCH studio to completely renovate their newly purchased property in Battersea. A family, including children, were moving from a Belgravia apartment into their first house together where the young family can grow. Having been built in 1999, joinery, plumbing, lighting and electrics were all outdated and unsuitable for the modern lifestyle and family’s needs.
The scale of the renovation meant stripping back the house to install not only the new lighting, plumbing and electrics, but also refurbishing the property in line with the specific lifestyle preferences of the client. The work was carefully tailored to suit each member of the household, as well as being fit for purpose. A before and after of the master bathroom and separate guest en-suite bathroom is shown below to show the differences made:
Master En-suite
Guest En-suite
Mischa Sedova, Founder and Principal Creative Director at misch_MISCH studio advises that the property was “lacking purposeful storage fit for a modern family”. She further states that the main brief was to “ensure that whatever changes were made, these were thoughtfully designed to fit modern living” as well as “to the client’s unique preferences and style that is an amalgamation of classic features, contemporary layout and minimalistic living, yet elegant and nurturing.”
Other elements of the brief included a focus on clean lines, warm minimalism and luxury over pretension, while the colour scheme was based around black, white and earthy accents to bring the grounding energy into the environment.
Sanctuary Bathrooms used this brief to provide a mixture of showering and bathing options. The client had very specific preferences for wall-hung sanitaryware but not wall-mounted brassware, no countertop basins, a freestanding bath, and non-sliding shower doors and screens. They absolutely did not want chrome fixtures and fittings because of their shiny appearance and aesthetically cold feeling, so Sanctuary placed a great emphasis on the requested black and white design elements. The customer had already supplied some information to misch_MISCH studio from previous research themselves, but this was scrapped in order to redesign the bathroom scheme in line with their actual personal preferences.
Challenges With The Property
According to Mischa, the main challenge of the property was that the existing layout had to be maintained in order to “avoid costly construction changes.” This required a focus on using space wisely and decluttering wherever possible to “maximise the internal footprint of each room and create the uncluttered, airy feel the family yearned for.”
As part of the bathroom process, the main concern was dimension deviations. For example, one of the recessed shower doors was wider than the original, which meant finding a bespoke solution to fit the actual size of the recess.
The Solution: How Sanctuary Bathrooms Helped
To meet the specifics of the brief, Sanctuary Bathrooms started by fine-tuning sizes based on the selection made by misch_MISCH studio on behalf of their client, focusing on the black and white minimalist scheme.
Firstly, the Clearwater Vicenza Petite Freestanding Bath was chosen as the main focal point of the master bedroom’s corresponding bathroom. Although now discontinued, this model is basically a smaller version of its sister bath, the Vicenza Grande. This tub aligned with the minimalist brief, displaying a simple, contemporary design with its angular shape and clean white colour adding the character to otherwise pristine clean lines in the room. The bath’s 1524mm x 800mm size was compact enough to fit the available space, while the deluxe ClearStone build ensured luxury and longevity.
On what prompted the client to select this bath, Mischa comments: “The Vicenza Petite bath for Master Ensuite was a perfect balance between slick design and plenty of space for two to bathe in what would be classified as a small bath. We wanted a feature bath to lift the bathroom from its mundane purpose to a sanctuary where you can unwind. [It was] purposefully centred against bespoke mitre tiled niche to emphasise the luxurious hotel-like experience.”
Alongside the bath were two recessed shower doors. The client of misch_MISCH studio asked for the doors to be handleless and non-sliding, so Sanctuary recommended for the Kudos Pinnacle 8 range in matt black. This is a showroom only product, featuring black profiles and hinges that conform with the requested black and white colour scheme. The doors open outwards, using a special component built into the glass surface in lieu of a fixed handle. These doors were provided in two initial sizes: 800mm and 1200mm with an inline panel but the large door had to be changed specially ordered from Kudos to a smaller, bespoke specification of 1150mm in order to fit the recess. Mischa says: “we were impressed by Sanctuary’s quick response in helping us to resolve promptly. Always backed up with knowledge. It is great to have a supplier on our side who is so knowledgeable.”
Sanctuary Bathrooms also supplied a Crosswater undermount inset basin, which was fitted into a worktop of an installed floating vanity unit. This matched the brief by not being countertop mounted or otherwise dominating the surface, completing the look of the fully bespoke unit, which had a purposefully over-exaggerated curve to elevate the room. The undermounted design maintained a clean, uncluttered aesthetic, with only the surface and the rectangular bowl visible.
Outside of the bathroom, Sanctuary also provided a JTP Vos Kitchen Mixer in elegant brushed black serving the lower ground floor utility and laundry room, specifically selected for its discreet spout detail.
Products Supplied by Sanctuary Bathrooms
- Clearwater Vicenza Petite Freestanding Bath (now discontinued unfortunately - see Vicenza Piccolo for same range and similar-sized bath)
- Clearwater Clearstone Unslotted Click Clack Bath Waste with White Clearstone Cover
- Kudos Pinnacle 8 Matt Black 800mm Left Hand Hinged Door for Recess
- Kudos Pinnacle 8 Matt Black 1150mm Left Hand Hinged Door for Recess (bespokely-made size)
- JTP Vos Brushed Black Single Lever Pull Out Sink Kitchen Mixer for Kitchen
- Crosswater Torino 510mm Undermount Basin with Overflow
- Crosswater Basin Furniture Trap
Why misch_MISCH studio Chose Sanctuary Bathrooms
Mischa Sedova, the founder of misch_MISCH studio and Principal Creative Director, had previous experience working with Sanctuary Bathrooms prior to opening her own studio, particularly with company director Richard Roberts who handled the client brief. She advises: “[I] could remember the straightforward order placement, and expert communication that feels genuine and relatable. The team, Richard here, always has answers and if doesn’t, he finds it. It is always a pleasure working with Sanctuary Bathrooms. Of course, it is the product selection that fits a wide range of styles that is helpful and time-saving during our procurement stage. Not to mention competitive pricing points.
“We did not require much support during the actual procurement for non-bespoke items other than ensuring correct specification models are suitable, which was straightforward. Richard, with whom we liaised, supported us with the bespoke option for Master Ensuite selection that aligned with the aesthetics of non-bespoke; and acted as a mediator between the fabricator and ourselves in answering specific questions. There is nothing we’d fault as this was also handled expertly and swiftly as always.
“We felt fully supported every step of the way and always with an expert advice. A great communication and knowledgeable staff.”
The Reaction from the Clients
The client commented favourably on their finished spaces, stating: “The whole process was very collaborative and we felt our lifestyle and family requirements were firmly guiding the project throughout.
(c) misch_MISCH studio - More images of the finished spaces
“We worked with Mischa on the total refurbishment of our 3- storey home over a 12 month period. Working with her was one of our best decisions in this process. She really paid attention to our needs, had plenty of helpful suggestions and an extensive list of trusted suppliers [including Sanctuary Bathrooms] which ensured we maximised the potential of our home.”
They also added further advice for anyone else undertaking their own similar project: “The first piece of advice is to choose skilled professionals who are experts in their field. It might be tempting to cut corners with an inexperienced designer, low cost contractor to save money initially, but we know this leads to poor craftsmanship, higher costs in the long run. As this was a big financial and emotional investment, we wanted to do it right and avoid shortcuts.
“We aimed to stay within budget, but the materials we liked costed more. Mischa’s clear communication, patience, and flexibility with timelines were invaluable in supporting our decision-making. Trusting our designer's expertise and being open to adjustments ultimately led to a successful refurbishment of our place we truly feel as ours, where we feel like home”
If you need help with your bathroom project, or would like any advice regarding refurbishments, please don’t hesitate to contact the Sanctuary Bathrooms team today.
About misch_MISCH studio
misch_MISCH studio is an Interior Architecture & Interior Design Practice founded in 2014 by Mischa Sedova, an Interior Architect & Designer with passions for art, fashion and fine detail. Based in King’s Cross, London, the studio specialises in crafting high-end, luxury interiors that are deeply personal and as unique as the people who inhabit them. Fully personalised, functional, and lived-in spaces that are not just show homes but purposefully designed to suit everyday living. Each design is inspired by deep understanding of the client’s story, character and lifestyle, as well as their vision. The studio has extensive experience in delivering full renovation and refurbishment of medium projects to large properties including apartments, townhouses, villas, and country estates in the UK, worldwide, including working with listed properties. Website: www.mischmisch.com // Instagram: @_mischmisch_
