Project Overview
This luxury bathroom renovation took place inside a unique heritage building in Derbyshire, a former chapel later converted into a professional recording studio, famously used by The Stone Roses. With soaring ceilings, exposed beams, and all plumbing and electrics originally installed above floor level, this project required a bespoke design approach and meticulous planning to deliver a high-end, modern bathroom that respected the character of the space.
AP Tile & Bathrooms were commissioned to complete three bathrooms in the building, with this one chosen as the standout feature: a contemporary, hotel-style bathroom blending premium materials, functional lighting, and clever structural solutions.
Challenges
Plumbing and electrical services were all above floor level, meaning standard layouts were impossible.
Structural limitations required creative boxing-in and raised platforms.
Tall ceilings demanded an efficient heating solution.
The client wanted a luxury finish that felt modern while complementing the building’s industrial heritage.
Our Design Solutions
Integrated Boxing-In as a Feature
- Instead of hiding the raised areas, we made them part of the design.
- A bespoke tiled step and platform were built using flexible, fibre-reinforced screed for strength.
- The boxing was finished in matching large format tiles, transforming it from a necessity into a standout architectural feature.
- A custom black recessed niche was added opposite the shower, practical and visually striking.
Functional & Atmospheric Lighting
- Lighting played a huge role in elevating this bathroom into a luxury spa-like environment.
- Cool white LED strips installed at floor level highlight the step for safety while giving the room a floating, modern aesthetic.
- Warm, ambient lighting in the upper half provides a softer tone for relaxation.
- The backlit LED mirror and the floor lighting are on separate switching, allowing the client to choose between bright and moody atmospheres – perfect for late-night showers or unwinding after a long day.
Premium Materials & Finishes
To achieve a high-end, contemporary look:
- Large format marble-effect tiles were used across walls and floors, creating seamless flow and reducing grout lines for a cleaner aesthetic.
- All trim and brassware were specified in brushed copper, including taps, shower systems, and tile edges, bringing warmth and luxury to the space.
- A wall-hung vanity in dark wood adds storage while maximising floor space and keeping the room feeling open.
- A full-height designer radiator provides powerful heating suited to the building’s lofty ceilings.
Durable Construction for Long-Term Reliability
Behind the aesthetics is the level of craftsmanship AP Tile & Bathrooms is known for:
- All plumbing was solvent welded, ensuring long-term leak-free performance.
- The subfloor was reinforced with structural boarding before pouring the fibre-reinforced screed.
- Every element was set out precisely to maintain symmetry across the large format tiles.
The Final Result
The completed bathroom blends luxury design, technical ingenuity, and modern functionality. The raised shower platform, copper detailing, illuminated step, and industrial-style black shower screen all combine into a space that feels bespoke, contemporary, and perfectly aligned with the building’s character.
This is a bathroom designed not just to look stunning, but to perform flawlessly for decades.
- Key Features at a Glance
- Luxury large format marble-effect tiles
- Copper taps, shower system & trims
- LED floor lighting + warm upper lighting
- Custom niche and raised shower platform
- Wall-hung vanity for space optimisation
- Fibre-reinforced screed floor
- Solvent welded plumbing for longevity
- High-output designer radiator
- Industrial black-framed shower screen
