Moving into a new home means inheriting someone else's design convictions – their absolute certainty, at some point in history, that popcorn ceilings or carpeted hallways were a good idea.
Interior designers Jessica and Ellie Pile, founders of House of Norica, found themselves faced with such curiosities when they were hired to redesign a home in north London. 'When our clients moved in, it was clear the house needed some attention,' says Ellie. 'While spacious, many of the rooms hadn’t been properly considered and the lack of planning made everyday living more challenging than it needed to be.'
We recently covered Jessica and Ellie's clever reimagining of the home's main bedroom – in which all four walls were blocked by doors or windows, removing any logical spot for a bed.
Ahead, Ellie walks us through the bathroom renovation, which began life with floor-to-ceiling brown tiles, a dubiously coffin-shaped bath and perplexing suspended ceiling...
Tell us about the original space and why your clients chose to renovate
EP: The original bathroom felt underwhelming and uninspired. Beige, stone-effect tiles covered three-quarters of the walls, paired with dark timber detailing that gave the space a dated feel. A dropped ceiling over half of the room further compromised the design, making it feel smaller and disconnected from its true proportions.
What was the inspiration?
EP: Our clients wanted their home to feel fun, joyful and full of personality. They were drawn to the pastel tones of Miami, so we used this as a key reference throughout, layering soft blues, playful pinks and sunny yellows to create spaces that felt vibrant yet cohesive.
Talk us through the plan for the bathroom
EP: The existing bathroom layout was already well resolved, so we chose not to reinvent it. This meant we could retain the existing plumbing and keep costs down. The key structural intervention was the removal of the dropped ceiling. Once removed, the space immediately felt taller, lighter and more cohesive, transforming it from two disjointed halves into one unified room.
During the design phase, our focus was on achieving the right finishes. Tile selection was particularly important. We wanted to find the perfect tone of blue, while ensuring enough variation and movement in the tiles so the space felt rich and layered rather than flat.
Do you have a favourite feature?
EP: One of the most joyful moments in the scheme is the pop of colour (Pink 12 by Lick) introduced by the walk-in wardrobe that sits between the bedroom and bathroom. The coral pink tones frame the view into the bathroom, making it feel instantly inviting and a little unexpected. Sliding doors allow the space to be concealed when needed, and then revealed again as a playful surprise.
Any lessons learned along the way?
EP: The project highlighted how impactful small structural changes can be. Removing the dropped ceiling completely transformed the space, unlocking its true proportions without the need for a full reconfiguration.
What was the biggest splurge and best bargain?
EP: The best bargain was the wall unit from IKEA that we had built in to look bespoke. And the biggest splurge was the solid wood vanity unit and sink from Tikamoon.
Sourcebook
- Tiles, Claybrook
- Woodwork paint, Stone Blue by Farrow & Ball
- Ceiling paint, Pointing by Farrow & Ball
- Vanity unit and sink, Tikamoon
- Sink and bath taps, Dowsing & Reynolds
- Mirror, Oliver Bonas
- Bath, shower mixer and head, Nôsa
See the rest of House of Norica's projects on houseofnorica.com, or on Instagram @houseofnorica.
