SW London
TADELAKT BATHROOM
We chose a gorgeous textured Tadelakt finish, indigenous to Morocco to create a sleek design, without any tiles or grout lines, in a relatively small and awkward shaped bathroom. Combined with the brushed gold detailing in the taps, flush plate and lighting, it produces a gorgeous luxurious and warm look and feel.
The Microcement flooring achieves the same look and feel with an even harder wearing finish.
Building work including creating a vaulted ceiling and opening up the window in the roof to bring in maximum natural light.
Credits
Lead Designer Lorraine Sakharet / Photography KT1 Photography
"As with many old houses the bathrooms were an afterthought and therefore small with little opportunity to extend. Lorraine, employing great design, has maximised the space and created a luxurious main bathroom and a functional yet beautiful ensuite shower room."
More About This Tadelakt Bathroom Project
A Seamless Tadelakt Bathroom With Specialist Plaster Finishes:
This project marked our first foray into Tadelakt bathroom design - a specialist Moroccan plaster finish that creates a completely seamless, spa-like environment. Since completing this project, we have continued to design and deliver many more bathrooms using Tadelakt, microcement and other specialist plaster finishes across London and the UK, working closely with our trusted expert applicators.
This initial project transformed a cramped, awkward Victorian bathroom into a calm, minimalist retreat. With smooth, curved surfaces, a soft satin sheen and no tiles or grout lines, the new design brings a feeling of contemporary luxury inspired by Moroccan bathing rituals and modern spa architecture.
Our Role in the Transformation
We led the complete interior design and renovation of this bathroom, from concept and layout planning through to choosing materials, lighting, and specialist finishes. As it was our first Tadelakt project, we worked in close partnership with skilled plaster craftsmen, learning the intricacies of application, curing, and detailing - expertise that now forms an important part of our bathroom design offering.
The brief was clear: a modern, seamless bathroom with no tiles, no visible joints, and a warm, serene feeling. Working with both Tadelakt and microcement, we achieved exactly that.
A Bathroom Reimagined
The original space was a narrow, oddly shaped Victorian bathroom with limited natural light. To unlock its potential, we reconfigured the layout, vaulted part of the ceiling and opened up the existing roof window to flood the room with daylight.
The new bathroom is enveloped in smooth Tadelakt, giving it the look of a sculpted, continuous space. Even the door and window surrounds were integrated into the same colour and finish to avoid visual breaks. The effect is calm, contemporary and deeply immersive - a complete transformation compared with the original layout.
Design Style & Material Inspiration
The design draws inspiration from minimalist Moroccan architecture, contemporary wellness spaces, and the desire for a tactile, material-led look. Tadelakt creates a soft, polished texture with natural variation, while the warm undertones of the plaster pair beautifully with brushed gold brassware and ambient lighting.
Selecting Tadelakt allowed us to strip the design back to its pure essentials - sculptural walls, natural light and thoughtful detailing - while maintaining a high level of durability and moisture resistance.
Specialist Materials: Tadelakt, Microcement & Natural Finishes
The walls throughout the bathroom were finished in hand-applied Tadelakt, produced using a traditional technique that involves lime plaster, soap polishing and repeated burnishing. This creates a naturally waterproof, luxuriously tactile surface.
For the floor, we used microcement to maintain the seamless aesthetic while providing an exceptionally durable finish suitable for everyday family use. Both materials work beautifully with underfloor heating, allowing warmth to travel smoothly across surfaces and radiate up into the space.
A bespoke timber vanity unit adds an organic contrast to the polished plaster, introducing warmth and a natural layer within the otherwise minimalist palette.
Lighting & Design Detailing
Lighting played a crucial role in bringing depth and softness to the design. Contemporary wall lights were positioned to avoid shadows, ideal for daily routines, while hidden LED detailing washes gently across the plaster and highlights its movement and texture.
The brushed gold taps, flush plate and fittings create additional warmth, ensuring the bathroom feels inviting rather than cold. Every detail was chosen to work with the smooth, rounded surfaces of the plaster.
Challenges & Solutions
Working within a small Victorian footprint required creative thinking. The biggest challenge was embracing the specialist materials while ensuring a robust, long-lasting installation. By collaborating closely with our trusted plaster specialists, we were able to detail corners, niches and junctions with precision, ensuring every element appeared intentional and sculpted.
Another challenge was light - the space now benefits from a vaulted ceiling and enlarged roof window that brings daylight deep into the room, balancing the warm, enveloping tone of the plaster.
Why Tadelakt & Microcement Are Transforming Modern Bathrooms
Tadelakt and microcement are increasingly popular for homeowners seeking something more refined and contemporary than traditional tiles. These materials: create seamless, grout-free surfaces, offer outstanding durability and moisture resistance, work with underfloor heating, bring a spa-like calm to bathrooms and elevate even small or awkward spaces.
This project demonstrates how beautifully these finishes can transform a home. Since then, we have built extensive experience in delivering specialist plaster bathrooms across a wide range of styles and sizes.
Work With an Interior Designer with Experience of Specialist Plaster Finishes
Whether you’re renovating a compact bathroom, designing a spa-like en-suite or planning an entire home renovation, we are experienced in utilising Tadelakt, microcement and specialist plaster finishes in our interior designs for a range of environments.
From concept and material sourcing to working with our trusted artisan partners for application, we ensure every detail is delivered to the highest standard.