Suffolk is often colloquially known as the ‘sleepy’ county due to its rural and countrified way of living compared to nearby city conurbations like London. However, just outside Stowmarket, it is anything but sleepy as renovations take place on a gorgeous mid-16th century farmhouse, along with associated outbuildings including a carriage-house and a stable that was historically used for the native, and now critically endangered, Suffolk Punch breed of horses.
The gradual renovations of the farmhouse were undertaken by Kristine Hall and her husband, Dan. Kristine is a Chicagoan who moved to the UK in her early 20s after studying Fine Art in Boston. She has since established her own business as an interior designer and gained a following as the influencer @restoringlansdowne, thanks to her previous renovation projects. Her projects have featured in notable magazines including Grazia and Ideal Home.
The bathroom renovation, supported by one of the leading UK bathroom suppliers, Sanctuary Bathrooms, through the provision of several fixtures and fittings, took place in 2024 and 2025. The remarkable design sought to capture the serene rural surroundings while ensuring a lasting appeal.
- Background of the Project
- The Brief
- Challenges With The Project
- The Solution: How Sanctuary Bathrooms Helped
- Products Supplied by Sanctuary Bathrooms
- Why @restoringlansdowne Chose Sanctuary Bathrooms
- The Finished Project and Reaction
- More Photos
Background of the Project:
- Project Expected Timescale: 6 months
- Project Actual Timescale: 9 months
- Budget: Tight budget for whole renovations but no specific budget for bathrooms
- Property Information: Mid-16th century farmhouse close to Stowmarket, Suffolk, with added period era extensions, and associated outbuildings
The Brief
When it came to the design of the bathroom, Kristine mentioned that she wanted the project to be sensitive to the surroundings and local area, whilst remaining timeless enough that any future changes can be minimal.
“I wanted the new bathroom to be timeless and sit well in its rural surroundings,” she says before adding: “Our house is in such a lovely, agricultural setting, that it felt important to be guided by it.
“I knew from the start that I wanted classic tongue and groove panelling, a clawfoot tub, and the warmth of wood from a vintage chest of drawers-turned vanity unit.
“I have kept the more permanent features – like tiles – neutral and pared back. If I want to change things up in a few years, a tin of paint and new accessories will be all that’s required to update the space.
“I hoped the bathroom would be all the things we love about our property – it’s peaceful, calm, and quietly beautiful.”
To meet the requirements of this brief, Sanctuary Bathrooms supplied many key elements; most crucially, the stunning clawfoot period-style freestanding tub, which serves as an eye-catching focal point that honours the building's historical charm. Complementing this, the company also supplied coordinating brassware and a toilet to complete the look.
These fixtures all worked alongside other items sourced from a mixture of Facebook Marketplace, specially sourced items, and family heirlooms, one of which was the cat crewel embroidery added as a visual wall element.
Challenges With The Project
(c) Kristine Hall @Restoring Lansdowne
Initially, there were many issues that needed fixing with the space, from run-down and dilapidated structural elements to simply tired and worn features. When asked about what specifically made them want to renovate the bathroom and anything they disliked, Kristine answered:
“It would be easier to list things I did like – uh, nothing! The building had been neglected for a long time and suffered from a poor layout, a leaky roof [she adds that there were mushrooms growing on the ceiling it was so bad], and worn out fixtures and fittings.
“The existing shower room was dark and cramped with awkward boxing-in of pipework, and the boiler ran on propane tanks stored in the garage. It was badly in need of a complete overhaul.”
The Solution: How Sanctuary Bathrooms Helped
Recognising that a clawfoot bath was a must-have became a key starting point in the design process. The chosen option was the Burlington Hampton Freestanding Shower Bath in a 1700mm length. This bathtub offers a generous amount of space to sink back into, can be painted in a range of colours for personalisation, and presents numerous feet options.
Kristine opted for a standard, plain white bath; as a DIY enthusiast and designer, she wanted the challenge of painting the bath herself. She also opted for a right-handed option with a traditional leg set in black as a beautiful, accented touch. The traditional leg set combines the clawfoot design with lots of intricate, ornate detailing.
(c) Kristine Hall @Restoring Lansdowne
Accompanying the bathtub was a Burlington Gold Exposed Bath Overflow, complete with plug and chain, featuring white ceramic detailing and traditional decorative touches for filling and emptying the bath.
Concluding the look, one of the Burlington Slimline Close-Coupled Toilets also featured. This regal toilet showcases a rounded pan with simple, formal detailing and an open-back design. Complemented by a chrome dual-flush lever handle and golden oak seat, it serves as a toilet that provides a timeless look and pairs well with a varied choice of colours and brassware options.
Products Supplied by Sanctuary Bathrooms
- Burlington Hampton 1700mm Freestanding Shower Bath with Right Handing & Traditional Leg Set in Black
- Crosswater MPRO Industrial 2 Hole Wall Mounted Basin Set in Unlacquered Brushed Brass
- Burlington Slimline Close Coupled Toilet with Burlington Golden Oak Seat
- Crosswater Belgravia Thermostatic Shower Valve with 8” Fixed Head in Unlacquered Brass (now discontinued)
- Burlington Gold Exposed Bath Overflow & Plug & Chain
NOTE: Tiles were purchased separately from Ca’ Pietra direct but are also available from ourselves.
Kristine also wanted key brassware to pair with various items in the space. The choice of unlacquered brass options offers a rustic touch that is not only sensitive to the time period of the bathroom and home as a whole but also beautifully enhances the similarly toned elements throughout the room. The unlacquered finish is also designed to change colour over time due to touch, offering a natural ageing look to the pieces.
For the basin, a 2-hole wall-mounted basin tap was chosen from the Crosswater MPRO Industrial range, combining a lever-handle for temperature and flow operation with a matching designed spout.
In terms of the shower, the Crosswater Belgravia Exposed Thermostatic Shower Kit in unlacquered brass was selected (now sadly discontinued). This complete system features an exposed shower valve with white ceramic detailing, connected via a rigid riser rail with a shower arm and a gorgeous 8" fixed rainfall shower head above.
(c) Kristine Hall @Restoring Lansdowne
All of the pieces use traditional elements and period-style design to meet the brief. Kristine also used Facebook Marketplace to add storage options, and the cat crewel embroidery used as decorative wall-art was actually an item made for her brother as a baby, which she has salvaged, framed, and brought across all the way from the States!
(c) Kristine Hall @Restoring Lansdowne
Why @restoringlansdowne Chose Sanctuary Bathrooms
When it came to why Sanctuary Bathrooms was best placed to assist with key bathroom items, Kristine explains that a combination of brand options and choices, as well as the focus on providing invaluable website information that made the buying process easier were key factors: “Sanctuary Bathrooms stocks such a great range of premium quality products from trustworthy brands like Burlington, Ca’ Pietra and Crosswater.
“The website is really easy to navigate and it’s useful too – with full product specification downloads and detailed descriptions. Bathroom design can be quite technical, so having all of the information readily available makes the process so much easier.”
The Finished Project and Reaction
(c) Kristine Hall @Restoring Lansdowne
Despite there being installation challenges along the way, including the shower being installed slightly too low, meaning her 6ft husband could only just get his head under it, Kristine could not be more pleased with the final results and products chosen.
“I’m so pleased with the end result. The new vaulted ceiling and Velux rooflight create a really airy feel, and underfloor heating powered by solar panels on the roof is cosy, efficient and environmentally friendly.
“I absolutely love the Crosswater Belgravia exposed shower – pure luxury.
“The Burlington Hampton shower bath is brilliant too. It’s a great space-saving choice as it fits flush to the wall on two sides for use with a shower above but still gives you that classic freestanding bath look. I painted mine in an inky blue exterior eggshell to add some drama to the space.”
And in terms of advice for anyone reading this who may be starting on their journey, and seeking inspiration, she advises: “Get the layout right first! As they’re usually the smallest rooms in the house, and need to be really functional, bathrooms work hard. Make sure you’re getting the best use out of the available space.
“And buy the best taps and shower you can afford. Cheap taps are usually style over substance, and might only last you a few years. It really is a false economy.”
Other Room Shots of The Traditional Shower Room:
(c) Kristine Hall @Restoring Lansdowne
Do you need bathroom advice, want to get help with your bathroom project, or looking for inspiration? Contact the Sanctuary team or book a 3D Bathroom Design package, where we can work with you on your project to bring it to life.
About Kristine Hall (@restoringlansdowne)
Kristine Hall is an Interior Design Consultant based in Suffolk & London. With a background in Fine Art, and a Chicagoan native, Kristine moved to the UK for career opportunities. In 2016, she founded Restoring Lansdowne, a social media channel documenting the renovation project of a previous property called Lansdowne. The growth, interest, and passion for interior design led to Kristine leaving a corporate career to form her own interior design consultancy business in 2018. She offers everything from individual telephone consultations to full-scale interior design packages for people undertaking renovation projects across the UK.
Since then, Kristine has started a family (including acquiring cats), moved to Suffolk, and started renovating again, growing her social media accounts to over 44,000 followers on Instagram. This has led to her featuring in many interior design and lifestyle publications including Grazia, Ideal Home, Sheerluxe, and even appearing on BBC radio stations as an expert in DIY. Find her on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/restoringlansdowne/
