Lighting

‘Lighting is key when it comes to bathrooms and beauty,’ says make-up artist Ruby Hammer. ‘The perfect lighting comes from bulbs that mimic natural light and I’d suggest installing a dimmer switch. That way you can have them on full for applying make-up, or soften the lighting for a spa-like ambience.’ Ensure a perfectly illuminated bathing space with layers of lighting on separate circuits, letting you raise or lower the levels. For real Hollywood glamour, surround a mirror with lights, starlet style, for essential side-to-face lighting. Use mini capsule lamps (available from John Cullen) as a modern alternative to traditional bulbs, which can be connected to a dimmer.

‘Downlighters need direction,’ says Jenny Smart, senior lighting designer at John Cullen. ‘Bounce light off walls and basins, or offset them next to a tiled surface to accentuate colours and textures.’

A low-level light source adds real glamour. Install lighting that washes the floor with a gentle glow or mount lights under a floating vanity unit or basin.

For total girlie glamour, you can’t beat a pretty chandelier. ‘Unfortunately, building regulations mean that in most bathrooms it’s impossible to install a working model as they’re not water resistant,’ says Leslie Taylor of Taylor’s Etc. ‘A good way round this is to cheat a little by installing downlights above the chandelier to make the crystals twinkle.’

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