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. "
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.
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.
High Street, Stalbridge, 2022.
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.
The Sink / The Tap
In this design, a decision on the sink and tap size and shape will need to be considered and implemented. This will allow the end user/ fitter to easily install the furniture later on. Therefore, further research on these needs to be conducted. Specifically, research on sink and tap designs between the Victorian era and Scandi style was conducted.
The Basin / The Jug
As seen on p.10, our sink started as a static basin placed on top of a surface, accompanied by a jug which acted as the water source. These were made of porcelain, with ironstone china being the most popular during the early 19th century. Ornamentation was popular, and so many pieces would have painted motifs decorating them, such as leaves and flowers.
The Dry Sink / The Hand Pump
Shifting from a simple small bowl, the ‘dry sink’ became popular. Made of stone, wood, or metal, these were set into surfaces such as cabinets or windowsills. Some even included a backsplash. It was often easier to fill with a bucket of water. Later on, the hand pump was implemented.
The Sink / The Tap
As plumbing became more accessible, the ‘wet sink’ was introduced. These started with similar materials to the previous such as wood and marble, but later on became an all white single porcelain unit, following the ‘clean’ craze. Taps and plumbing were exposed, made of copper, brass and/or iron, with hot and cold water being separate.
Continuing to consider a merge between Scandi and Victorian design styles, further research into how Scandinavian designs typically utilizea sinks / taps was researched. This was conducted by looking through the archive of IKea catalogues, starting in the 1980's. This allowed for a comprehensive understanding of how a 'Scandi' bathroom design can be defined.
1978: This saw the popular trend of spa styled bathrooms, with inset square sinks and simple silver metal mixer taps.
1985: A more simple style persisted, with similar square inset sinks and mixer taps continuing to trend- some select pops of colour were implemented.
1995: A moodier cottage style became popular, exposing the bowl of the sink between the square countertop. Taps progressed in modernity with a single lever.
2021: Found in this catalogue is a vanity with a Victorian style to it; we can see the Scandinavian take on this merge in styles. A sleek circular bowl sits on top of the counter, with a dark metal pump style tap.
2005-2020: Current trends seem to decorate the surroundings of the sink and tap, with this mostly maintaining the style of a square inset sink with a single lever tap.
Further research was conducted on standard sizing of sink waste holes and the hole size required to fit a tap; pipework (specifically running behind drawers); and wall fixings.
It was established that the industry standard sink waste hole size is 11/4" or 32mm, with standard bathroom tap holes commonly being 22mm wide. Some may require a wider hole, however, it is easier for the user to later rectify a hole that is too small than one that is too big (if later wanting to upgrade their sink or tap).
When looking at pipework, there are options available with certain fittings, joins (and therefore bends) that can be fitted around drawers. Similarly, flexible tap tails can be fitted for the water supply to the tap, which can bend around obstructions (see pictures to the right).
When fixing heavy furniture to a wall for extra support, the wall material must be considered. For attaching to a wooden wall stud, a 4.2mm X 75mm bugle plasterboard screw may be used. However, if a wall stud is not available, then fixing through plasterboard requires a wall anchor or plug to screw into (see diagram to right).
• Mott Iron Works, J.L. (1914). Modern Plumbing No. 8. First ed. [online] New York: Bartlett-Orr Press. Available at: https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.c033945822&seq=118 [Accessed 22 Feb. 2025].
• �Kentdelordhouse.org. (2023). Artifact Corner: Victorian Pitcher and Basin – Kent Delord House Museum. [online] Available at: https://www.kentdelordhouse.org/artifact-corner-victorian-pitcher-and-basin/ [Accessed 22 Feb. 2025].
• KINGSTON Brass. (2023). The History of the Sink | KINGSTON Brass. [online] Available at: https://www.kingstonbrass.com/blogs/blog/the-history-of-the-sink?srsltid=AfmBOoqy1RFMfSl_R1ks7F6SVXslzL2V7G3R2uhvcWr_KjrdR0DS4fcd [Accessed 22 Feb. 2025].
• �Vivacious Victorian. (2016). Victorian Bathrooms A History Lesson. [online] Available at: https://vivaciousvictorian.com/2016/12/27/victorian-bathrooms-a-history-lesson/.
• �Poseidon Bathroom Fitters (2023). The Evolution of Bathroom Design: From Victorian to Modern. [online] Poseidon Bathroom Fitters. Available at: https://www.poseidonbathrooms.co.uk/the-evolution-of-bathroom-design-from-victorian-to-modern/ [Accessed 22 Feb. 2025].
• NDT Group. (2022). Cast Iron Pipework: Victorian marvel, modern menace. [online] Available at: https://www.ndtgroup.co.uk/latest-news/cast-iron-pipework/ [Accessed 22 Feb. 2025].���
• 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=EAIaIQobChMIkY6Z6t3yiQMVjjbUAR1TEi3wEAQYAiABEgJ 1WPD_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).