Case Study: The Tap End

Founded in 2017 by Justine Bullock and Lynda Rees, this award-winning bathroom retailer is based in Pontyclun, Wales. The small team of five pride themselves on their attention to detail and high-quality finish, and serve the mid- to-premium end of the market. The Tap End won the Innoplus Compusoft Design competition in November 2020, and here we catch up with the designer who brought that idea to life, Daniella Fantini..

What was the brief for the design that won the competition?

This bathroom was originally an en-suite, bathroom and a dressing room and we’ve knocked these rooms into one. The family had some must-haves that they really wanted in the space. This was their dream bathroom so it was something they really wanted to go for. They wanted a freestanding bath, a walk-in shower, a double vanity unit with large mirrors and some shower storage (alcoves in the shower). The client wanted a coloured finish for the fittings – they ideally wanted brushed gold or metallic fixtures, rather than chrome. In terms of brands, we used Laufen, BC Designs, Hansgrohe.

We also used Astro Lighting, Bathroom Origins for the mirrors, the marble tiles are by Lapicida and we used Original Style flooring. They wanted something quite warm – so they wanted to move away from the greys that are in fashion now, and move towards warmer taupe shades and these tones worked really well with the gold so we went with those.

How would you describe your design process?

Before we started the client presented us with some inspiration images which featured warmer tones, marble and gold. This sort of input is really important as there is so much stuff available in the market. We also have a design form that we ask customers to fill in. This is quite in-depth. We ask how much tiling they want, what sort of boiler they have, what sort of colours they’d like to go for, whether they want a shower and/or a bath in the room. This design questionnaire is always being updated too. It’s so important to speak to your customers extensively so you can find out exactly what they need from the start. This way you’ll have a good sense of what they’ll really like.

On the basis of what comes out of this questionnaire and our initial chats, we will work up a design and present it to the customer, and then they might make changes or, as was the case with this client, might be happy with everything and want to proceed. But we’ll work with the client until they’re completely happy with the space.

We are design and supply only, and we recommend fitters. The fitter will go to the property and have a look at everything; make sure the soil pipes are correct, and make sure all the pipework is okay.

We give the fitter annotated 2D drawings to work from. We’ll make our notes on there as detailed as possible, as it’s important for us that the finished project looks the same as the render.

Why is this so helpful for customers?

It is really reassuring for customers. Some people find it hard to visualise a space, especially if it’s changed quite a bit, so showing these renders is really good because they can see exactly what it will look like. Innoplus is a great software to use with a customer too as you can make changes really quickly. So, if you want to see a different tile, or any element you can do that and show it instantly. We really like it.

For how long have you been using Innoplus?

I have been using it for about three years. Before that I used Virtual Worlds, and I’ve been completely converted.

Why would you recommend Innoplus?

It’s very easy to use. Even if you don’t know anything about bathroom design you could open this up and have a go because it’s so straightforward. You’ve got all the tabs on the side with sanitaryware, tiles and all the other elements you need, and it’s easy to pick up. If you want to change things it’s very easy. With other software, you have to use a reference point to get things in the right place. I don’t think there’s anything I would change if I was designing software.

How did you get into bathroom design?

I went to university to study textiles for interiors and in my second year I applied to do work experience at a company in Cardiff that did bathroom design and interior design. They offered me a part time job and I worked there throughout my degree. I was then offered a full-time job once I finished my degree. I then worked for a company in Swansea where I was introduced to Innoplus. After about a year and half I started at the Tap End and I am now working with the same people as when I was in my work experience job. I’ve been here for nearly two years now.

I didn’t intentionally go into bathroom design, I wanted to do interior design. But I ended up progressing over to this because I find there’s more creativity with bathroom design. Also, in the area we’re in, people need a lot more help with bathroom design. There are so many technical considerations, whereas with interior design you need to be somewhere like London.

It’s such a nice achievement to transform a whole room and give someone their dream. With bathroom design, people need to be guided much more than with interiors.

What tips do you have for other designers?

Speak to the customer from the start and establish how they’re likely to use the space you’re working on. You need to understand the lifestyle of the customer. If the customer does want to make to changes to your design, let them do this, but make sure you guide them too. The customer must be made to understand the benefits and drawbacks of design decision.

Also, make sure you’re honest and manage expectations. So, if a customer comes to you with a £3,000 budget and tells you they want a freestanding bath and a shower and so on, you’ll know this won’t be possible so it’s up to you to give them the very best bathroom for their budget.