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A Sweet Shop for Designers: Balineum’s First Studio and Showroom (in a Residential Victorian Flat)

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A Sweet Shop for Designers: Balineum’s First Studio and Showroom (in a Residential Victorian Flat)

December 19, 2022

Balineum—the Latin word for bathhouse—is a bathroom supply specialist unlike any other. Founded by Sarah Watson in 2007, it’s already established as an insider’s go-to for luxury bathroom furniture and fixtures, including handmade tiles, lighting, mirrors, and cabinets, hardware and washstands.

This month, Sarah has opened the doors of her first showroom, which is housed in a residential Victorian building just below her own apartment. “When our downstairs neighbor said she was moving out, we jumped at the chance to take over the space,” she explains. Never have we wanted to visit a bathroom specialist showroom quite so much. Let’s take a tour:

the entrance to the new studio and showroom is painted in dulux’s bitter 17
Above: The entrance to the new studio and showroom is painted in Dulux’s Bitter Chocolate 2. “The marble column in our foyer area was an unexpected surprise,” says Sarah. “It was hidden behind a built-in cupboard. Once uncovered we knew we couldn’t cover it back up, so we then engaged Magda Gordon to paint it in a faux marbleized style with a gaudy embellished-style top.”

The new studio space was designed with Nadine Bartholomew and architect Ariana Vieira of Studio Noam. “Nadine and I have worked together on several Balineum projects over the years,” explains Sarah. “Whenever I need someone or something more elaborate than a product launch, I work with Nadine.”

In a little over 13 months, the design-focused team has painstakingly transformed what was an unremarkable apartment into a series of rooms that beckon designers, creatives, and remodelers from far and wide.

the display frames showcasing the metal accessories were made using brown felt  18
Above: The display frames showcasing the metal accessories were made using brown felt and dark oak frames. The cabinets were custom made and feature Balineum’s own icebox handles and hinges. The checkerboard rug is by Vanderhurd.
the studio showroom is in hampstead, north london, and open by appointment only 19
Above: The studio showroom is in Hampstead, north London, and open by appointment only, Monday-Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Left off the foyer is the primary showroom, where the overall aesthetic is not unlike a traditional apothecary or old-fashioned sweet shop. Here, the furniture has been custom made to display individual tiles as well as eye-catching combinations of colors and designs.

the bespoke display cabinet was based on a design sarah had seen used by regts  20
Above: The bespoke display cabinet was based on a design Sarah had seen used by Regts Antique Tiles in the Netherlands.
two slender, cork lined alcoves display the balineum collection of light fittin 21
Above: Two slender, cork-lined alcoves display the Balineum collection of light fittings and shades.
in the window, a bespoke trolley displays gleaming brassware mounted on perspex 22
Above: In the window, a bespoke trolley displays gleaming brassware mounted on perspex cubes. The rust-colored velvet fabric is from Claremont. (Note how precisely the fabric matches the window grilles.)
a temporary cork trestle table stands in the center of the room. (there are sti 23
Above: A temporary cork trestle table stands in the center of the room. (There are still some design decisions to finalize.) In the background, the fire surround features mottled tiles from the Balineum collection and an Augustus wall mirror.
the balineum terrazzo collection has its own bespoke display unit, which fits s 24
Above: The Balineum Terrazzo collection has its own bespoke display unit, which fits snugly under an ornate niche.
the remodel includes a smart studio kitchen for sarah and her growing team of f 25
Above: The remodel includes a smart studio kitchen for Sarah and her growing team of five.
the workspace features custom made desks and a bespoke roman blind made with ro 26
Above: The workspace features custom-made desks and a bespoke roman blind made with Rose Tarlow fabric sourced from Tissus d’Helene.
a dedicated packing room has been given just as much thought, with carpets from 27
Above: A dedicated packing room has been given just as much thought, with carpets from Sinclair Til and a Balineum Flora wall mirror hung above the fireplace, which also features Balineum’s hand-painted tiles.

“It’s not a forever space,” admits Sarah, who has cannily embraced and enhanced the residential features of the property. “At some point in the coming years, it is likely we will outgrow it and find a more ‘shop’-like venue—but for a few years, we will be very happy to work from this beautiful new studio.”

For more residential-style shops and studios, see:

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