When our customer in Bulwell reached out, their brief was ambitious and clear: they wanted nothing short of the finest bathroom in the area, complete with seamless, step-free access into the shower.
Achieving a high-end finish is about far more than just what looks pretty on the surface—it’s about precision prep, premium components, and working around real-world living conditions to get every detail right.
Phase 1: Design & Sourcing with Trusted Local Partners
A bespoke bathroom requires top-tier materials. We directed our client to two of our trusted local specialist suppliers: East Midlands Ceramics for tile selections and Michael Pavis for sanitaryware and brassware. Both teams walked the client through various layouts, finishes, and technical configurations, helping narrow down a timeless palette of marble-effect wall tiles, natural oak vanity tones, and polished chrome accents.
Phase 2: The Strip-Out & Foundation Work
Behind every flawless tile job is solid preparation. Once we started the strip-out, we uncovered three separate layers of old tiles layered on top of one another on the walls.
To do this right, there were no shortcuts:
- Complete Back-to-Brick Demolition: We stripped all three layers of old tile back to the core structure.
- Full Re-Plastering: All wall surfaces were freshly plastered and prepped to ensure dead-flat, plumb lines for the new tiles.
- Subfloor Former Installation: To achieve true step-free access without an unsightly raised tray, we recessed a dedicated shower former into the floor, waterproofing the area thoroughly to create a genuine flush wet room floor.
The Standout Feature: The Merlyn Shower Enclosure
Quality bathrooms require investment, and this project didn’t compromise. A centerpiece of this installation is the Merlyn shower screen.
Crafted with heavy-duty 8mm toughened safety glass and an ultra-smooth, precision-engineered mechanism, the screen alone represents a £1,600 investment. Paired with a dual-outlet thermostatic rainfall shower system, it delivers both modern minimalist aesthetics and long-term durability.
Overcoming the Realities of the Build
Bathroom renovations are invasive—especially when the room being renovated houses the property’s only toilet, and the homeowners are in the house throughout the working day.
The extensive prep work, remedial plastering, and intricate tiling meant the project took longer than initially scheduled, totaling 15 man-days on site. Throughout the entire process, our priority was keeping disruption to an absolute minimum:
- Ensuring operational sanitation facilities were reconnected and accessible whenever needed.
- Keeping tidy transit paths and clear daily communication so the household could function comfortably while work progressed.
The Final Result
The finished room speaks for itself: flush level-access showering, sleek integrated vanity and concealed-cistern storage, a chrome ladder radiator, and floor-to-ceiling tiling finished to the highest standard.
Most importantly, our client was delighted with both the craftsmanship and the way our team handled the day-to-day challenges of the build.
Planning a bathroom remodel or considering a step-free wet room conversion in Nottingham? Get in touch with our team to discuss your ideas and book a consultation.
