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lucygoodman

Tadelakt or other polished plaster or even concrete in bathroom?

Lucy Goodman
3 years ago

Aghhhh! Please help someone! After ages of not being able to pick a single tile for the hopefully soon to be gorgeous loft bathroom inc shower, I realised why. They just feel too cold, too hard, too sterile for my hopefully zen feeling soft bathroom. Then I saw an Abigail Ahern Instagram post about Tadelakt in her bathroom and shower (although hers is dark grey) and started googling madly.


I got a few quotes in and painted god knows how many samples of pinks to find my perfect dusty soft not too emasculating shade to match Tadelakt to and ended up with Farrow & Ball Middleton pink. Add in Lusso stone brass shower, taps and a Lusso stone bath (which one is another dilema but not for now!), found some simple white hexagonal tiles to go on the floor and up one of the shower walls, I thought I was nearly there. Only, one of the companies quoting warned yesterday about maintenance and I've just been reading up on it. Sounds a bit hellish. Has anyone here in Houzz land got a Tadelakt bathroom in a wet area? I'd love to hear what the maintenance is like? I've so far read about waxing every month (the walls not my legs that is!), wiping down surfaces after every shower so no trace of shower gel remains, and the dangers of other cleaning products (like how am I going to ensure the Cif going onto the tiles doesn't go near the walls?) I'm beginning to freak!


We bit the financially punishing bullet on a Dinesen floor on various floors in dry areas of bathroom - I posted my anxt over whether to go for this or not last year - and so are already on a fairly punishing weekly floor wash thing and we haven't moved in yet! So the idea of adding another maintenance palava once we do, feels hellish. However , I've become rather attached to this look - it is gorgeous!


My plan was to put pale dusty pink tadelakt on two walls (see picture) but white hexagonal tiles on the floor and up one wall to meet the skylight almost echoing the shape of the skylight. Then tiles around basin area on the other side. I so don't want to go back to the cold feel of tiles on the wall and loved the idea as everything else is white of having this bit of soft texture going on. But what else would I do? Is a different kind of polished plaster any different maintenance wise? Is that a better option? I've stuck photos below of the bath, shower area as it is and the tiles (probably bigger hexagon) along with a picture of a simliar pink. I don't want to end up all French Provence or Turkish Hammam - more simple, soft and clean lines with a bit of glamour. Does that make sense? Would love advice.






This is the kind of look only with tiled floor and one wall.


Vering towards bigger hexagonal tiles (though do weigh in!).


Tadelakt on on the walls outlined in red. Shower head goes at end.

White hexagonal tiles in the green shaded area.


Comments (5)

  • PRO
    Shareen Kapoor Interiors
    3 years ago

    Hi Lucy,


    Loving the concept you have chosen! i would recommend you do the Tadelakt on the long bath wall as you are planning, plus all three walls in the shower area. i would also do the bulkheads on both sides. Then either tile or paint the rest of the bathroom (its a bit difficult to judge without seeing the space properly). If budget allows, i would do the whole room and ceiling in Tadelakt. In my experience its easier to keep clean than grouted mosaic tiles in a wet area.


    I completely understand your concerns about Tadelakt so heres a useful article about maintenance. i would use this same cleaning process for the whole bathroom and use an E cloth (which is so you wont need to use any other chemicals). the article also recommends that if you do need to use cleaning products elsewhere then its best to spray the cloth and then clean.


    https://betterhomeblog.com/how-to-take-care-of-tadelakt/


    I also agree with you about the larger hexagonal tiles.


    Hope that helps. Would love to see photos of the finished space!


    Regards,

    Shareen

  • PRO
    C Ferri Interiors
    3 years ago

    Hi Lucy

    Only just seen this and here’s my advice.

    tadelakt is a great alternative to tiles, You will not be disappointed!. Another alternative could be a medium grain marmorino polished plaster, like tadelakt it will give a silky smooth appearance and be soft to the touch

    After care of any polished plaster is really easy. Stay clear of harsh cleaners and wipe down with a mild detergent and water. Once or twice a year re apply with a Marseille or olive soap to bring the walls back to life

    The lovely thing about any polished lime plaster in a bathroom is it is fully breathable and will not gather mould


    I hope this helps

    best wishes

    carl

  • Lucy Goodman
    Original Author
    3 years ago

    Thank you. Off to find a sample of the marmorino to compare.

  • Lucy Goodman
    Original Author
    3 years ago

    Thank you Shareen. I’m definitely going to do the walls including bulkhead having read this.

    Not completely convinced about all three walls as like the idea of breaking it up a bit and echoing the glass light above shape but I’m thinking about it. Also someone else who had used Tadelakt advised not having your shower head etc on Tadelakt incase shower goes wrong. Hers did and she had to replaster the whole thing. But I’m thinking thinking!

    Thank you for maintenance link. Really helpful. Tadelakt Bristol who wrote it are one of the companies that I’ve had quote and seem to really know their stuff although they’re pricier than others and longer lead time.

    I’m going with the larger hexagonals. Thx for your opinion on this. Now deciding on white or coloured grout - light grey perhaps (although unlike most of the country I’m not wild on grey unless very pale and creamy).

    Now just gotta choose the bath. Perhaps I’ll post that dilemma too!

    Will send pictures and thank you again for such detailed reply :-)

  • PRO
    C Ferri Interiors
    3 years ago

    Hi Lucy

    Where are you based?. Happy to provide an estimate if you like . Please view my profile and website

    yes any issue with plumbing could cause problems but you can say that about having to remove tiles as well, it could be an expensive job

    best wishes

    carl

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