Hayley Dix
2024 - 25
FURNITURE
Bathroom Vanity Drawers
Assignment 10: Effective
Communication
ID5DSU
Project Book
The Open College of the Arts & The Open University
Student No. 522559
" A fitted sink vanity/unit with storage space, that pertains to the Scandi style of the home already, whilst introducing the Victorian design style of the site location. "
The site (family bathroom) is located within a home situated in the small town of Stalbridge (UK). The surrounding area has preserved much of its architectural heritage, dating back to the 16th Century.
Front elevation of the home. The design is much more modern than the buildings directly outside of it's cul-de-sac.
The end of terrace home was built in 2009 by Bellway Homes. The area was formly a field owned by the local bakery, hence the road being named Bakers Street.
All photos taken at 11AM, October.
View from entrance, looking up the staircase.
Standing at the top of the stairs, looking down towards the hallway and main entrance.
Standing at the top of the stairs, looking towards the site location (family bathroom).
Standing outside of the family bathroom.
Looking into the family bathroom from the landing.
NE facing wall.
SE facing wall (proposed furniture location).
SW facing wall. Sightline to landing area.
NW facing wall.
08:11 10:32
12:20 14:08 - Due to low sunlight levels / a short period of natural light, lighter colours would better suit the space.
The town of Stalbridge has many listed buildings, ranging from the 16th century to the 19th century. These houses can be easily viewed upon driving through the heart of the town, with the road layouts even remaining similar to the ‘old’ town.
Due to the rich heritage of the town, further research into Victorian era wash stations was conducted. This is to connect the modern site to the old town it resides in; a connections can be made between the design of the vanity and this period the town reflects. (Wash unit to left of image).
Modern adaptation.
Washstand sketches, 1936.
Still from video made in 1898.
Wash unit to right of image.
Similar units.
During the site analysis, the connection between the family bathroom (site) and en-suite bathroom (one room along) was noted: two similar spaces within close proximity. Therefore, the two could also be related through design choice, creating a sense of completion within the home. (See p. 6 for photos of the en-suite bathroom).
The design of the en-suite features light woods/bamboo; light green/mint, bright whites, and natural colours; hard ceramic tiling; smooth light stone (flooring); coarse, natural textured fabrics; silver metals. Looking closer at the fitted furniture within the space, the sink unit follows the popular modern Scandinavian style. It is a ‘floating’ unit that is more seamless, with simple functional handles, and a sink that is built into the unit.
This built the concept of combining Victorian design styles (as researched), with the Scandinavian design styles (as analysed) of the en-suite. Shown (right) is the brainstorming process of this concept.
Based on the previous research, four concepts were created. Each of these concepts played with the combined researched design elements of Victorian and Scandinavian vanities, in order to create a balance between the two.
• Google Earth (2024) [online]; 6 A357, Stalbridge, England; 50°57’31 N 2°22’40 W; Street View. Available at: https://earth.google.com/web/search/50%c2%b057%2731%22N+2%c2%b022%2740%22W/@50.95868015,-2.37772651,81.32971309a,0d,90y,240.16505778h,87.37271174t,0r/data=Cl4aMBIqGZIKvsSzeklAIRc9AV6wB QPAKhY1MMKwNTcnMzEiTiAywrAyMic0MCJXGAEgASImCiQJkpWccst6SUARO0xA1Z96SUAZiL6Q4m0BA8AhWODw9SUKA8BCAggBIhoKFjE5elhSRUY1UkhadWlmUFNpcE1FNXcQAjoDCgEwQgIIAEoNCP________ ___wEQAA (Accessed: 01 November 2024).
• Google Earth (2024) [online]; 4 Station Road, Stalbridge, England; 50°57’36 N 2°22’37 W; Street View. Available at: https://earth.google.com/web/search/50%c2%b057%2736%22N+2%c2%b022%2737%22W/@50.96008187,-2.37706593,76.31437126a,0d,90y,134.69867349h,91.64305346t,0r/data=Cl4aMBIqGXsUrkfheklAIWFI82z7 AwPAKhY1MMKwNTcnMzYiTiAywrAyMiczNyJXGAEgASImCiQJLG_JAf96SUAR2sneFMZ6SUAZ18nCEkv-AsAhRqMByc0JA8BCAggBIhoKFnU1eXNZVm5uZC16encwNGd1RWhYLUEQAjoDCgEwQgIIAEoNCP_________ __wEQAA (Accessed: 01 November 2024).
• Gallery (2023) Stalbridge History Society. Available at: https://stalbridgehistorysociety.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/S08-High-St-1860.jpg (Accessed: 01 November 2024).
• Source: Google Earth (2024) [online]; 29 High St, Stalbridge, England; 50°57’37 N 2°22’43 W; Street View. Available at: https://earth.google.com/web/search/50%c2%b057%2737%22N+2%c2%b022%2743%22W/@50.96034222,-2.37864818,80.0917511a,0d,60y,351.44969643h,91.66977517t,0r/data=Cl4aMBIqGZQJCWLqeklAIX84o0Fl BwPAKhY1MMKwNTcnMzciTiAywrAyMic0MyJXGAEgASImCiQJkpbf4Vp7SUARcbDgKeJ6SUAZW-V1gF3-AsAhXvXyWvsTA8BCAggBIhoKFlhqdWM4V1pfdElTeXdsWEstWWdqX3cQAjoDCgEwQgIIAEoNCP__________ _wEQAA (Accessed: 01 November 2024).
• Alice Squire; ‘Young woman reading in an attic bedroom’ (1861); watercolour on paper, 16 x 23 cm; The Geffrye Museum London, UK. Available at: https://www.ieg-ego.eu/en/threads/europe-on-the-road/en/mediainfo/alice-squire-184020131936-young-woman-reading-1861 (Accessed: 01 November 2024).
• Arentson, C. (2020) Classy master bathroom makeover reveal, MY CHIC OBSESSION. Available at: https://www.mychicobsession.com/classy-master-bathroom-makeover-reveal/ (Accessed: 01 November 2024).
• Harnly, P. (1882) ‘Bedroom’; Watercolour, gouache, and graphite on paper; National Gallery of Art. Available at: https://www.nga.gov/collection/art-object-page.28937.html (Accessed: 01 November 2024).
• Fine pair George III Gillows pedestal cabinets (c.1800) 1stDibs. Available at: https://www.1stdibs.com/furniture/storage-case-pieces/cabinets/fine-pair-george-iii-gillows-pedestal-cabinets/id-f_40470562/ (Accessed: 01 November 2024).
• Gorid, N. (c.1936) ‘Washstand’; pen, ink, and graphite on paper; National Gallery of Art. Available at: https://www.nga.gov/collection/art-object-page.18064.html (Accessed: 01 November 2024).
• Watch children in the nursery (1898) BFI Player. Available at: https://player.bfi.org.uk/free/film/watch-children-in-the-nursery-1898-online?play-film (Accessed: 01 November 2024).
• Rust, C. (2023) How to convert an old dresser into a bathroom vanity, Reinvented Delaware. Available at: https://www.reinventeddelaware.com/repurposed-dresser-converted-to-bathroom-vanity/ (Accessed: 01 November 2024).
• Stephen (2019) Connecting to a tap with flexible tails, The Tap Shop. Available at: https://www.thetapshop.ie/connecting-to-a-tap-with-flexible-tails-flexi-tails/#:~:text=They%20are%20a%20method%20of,metal%20such%20as%20stainless%20steel. (Accessed: 23 November 2024).
• hadowmap.org. (2025). Shadowmap | Sun-Powered Insights. Anywhere on Earth. [online] Available at: https://app.shadowmap.org/?lat=50.95773&lng=-2.37957&zoom=17.56&azimuth=0.00000&basemap=map&elevation=nextzen&f=29.0&hud=true&polar=0.52360&time=1737120860086&vq=2 [Accessed 17 Jan. 2025].
• Astell, A. (2024) Bathroom design: Scandi-inspired bathroom with neutral tones, Ripples. Available at: https://www.ripplesbathrooms.com/inspiration-blog/scandi-inspired-bathroom-with-neutral-tones (Accessed: 01 November 2024).
• 9 clean and simple Scandinavian style bathroom tile ideas (no date) Atlas Ceramics. Available at: https://www.atlasceramics.co.uk/tile-ideas/bathroom/scandinavian-style/ (Accessed: 01 November 2024).
• Knierim, A. (2024) 30 best green bathroom ideas for a calming dose of nature-inspired color, The Spruce. Available at: https://www.thespruce.com/green-bathroom-ideas-4149804 (Accessed: 01 November 2024).
• Dare, A. (2021) Home tour: A Scandi-inspired victorian renovation in London, These Four Walls. Available at: https://thesefourwallsblog.com/home-tour-scandi-inspired-victorian-renovation-london/ (Accessed: 01 November 2024).
• llc, R. and D.D. (no date) San Francisco victorian with Braun + Adams – Victorian – bathroom – San Francisco – by Rice and Detienne Designs LLC: Houzz UK, Houzz. Available at: https://www.houzz.co.uk/photos/san-francisco-victorian-with-braun-adams-victorian-bathroom-san-francisco-phvw-vp~189176357 (Accessed: 01 November 2024).
• A victorian home got a scandi-modern update while keeping its charm · Haven (2021) Haven. Available at: https://thehavenlist.com/how-a-victorian-home-got-a-scandi-modern-update-while-keeping-its-charm/ (Accessed: 01 November 2024).
• Billsbro handle, anthracite, 120 mm (no date) IKEA. Available at: https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/billsbro-handle-anthracite-20576181/#content (Accessed: 23 November 2024).
• Havbäck / Orrsjön Wash-stnd W drawers/wash-basin/tap, white, 82x49x69 cm (no date) IKEA. Available at: https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/havbaeck-orrsjoen-wash-stnd-w-drawers-wash-basin-tap-white-s59521102/ (Accessed: 23 November 2024).
• Rännilen water trap with flexible pipe, 1 bowl Assembly instructions (no date) IKEA. Available at: https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/assembly_instructions/raennilen-water-trap-w-flexible-pipe-1-bowl__AA-2385466-3-100.pdf (Accessed: 23 November 2024).
• HAVBÄCK Wash-stand with drawers, white Assembly instructions (no date) IKEA. Available at: https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/assembly_instructions/havbaeck-wash-stand-with-drawers-white__AA-2382758-2-100.pdf (Accessed: 23 November 2024).
• Solid Wood Replacement Furniture Feet 4 Antique Brown Legs With Antique Brass Castors 140mm High For Sofas Chairs Stools Cabinets & Beds M8 (no date) Etsy. Available at: https://i.etsystatic.com/9664373/r/il/f2c335/2978949146/il_1140xN.2978949146_sfhv.jpg. (Accessed: 23 November 2024).
• Sol Round Counter Top Basin (no date) Victorian Plumbing. Available at: https://www.victorianplumbing.co.uk/sol-405mm-round-counter-top-basin-0th-ves006?s_kwcid=AL%2115853%213%21%21%21%21x%21%21&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIkY6Z6t3yiQMVjjbU AR1TEi3wEAQYAiABEgJ1WPD_BwE (Accessed: 23 November 2024).
• Hamnskär sink mixer tap, chrome-plated (no date) IKEA. Available at: https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/hamnskaer-wash-basin-mixer-tap-chrome-plated-70532712/ (Accessed: 23 November 2024).