In June 2014, Tim Nicholson, his partner Joanne Bowlt and their two young boys, moved into their newly refurbished eco home in North Oxford. The couple wanted to prove that it was possible to take a typical 1960s property and transform it into a desirable, energy-efficient home. Hansgrohe EcoSmart products, recommended by energy and water-saving specialists, Save Money Cut Carbon (www.savemoneycutcarbon.com), were specified exclusively for the family bathroom and downstairs shower/utility room. 

The Talis E basin mixer in the family bathroom provides sleek modern looks and good performance despite a flow rate of just 3.5 litres per minute. The hand shower with height adjustable wall bar is the award-winning Crometta 85 Green delivering 6 l/min; it is operated by a concealed thermostatic control to ensure a constant safe temperature, this diverts to the discreet Exafill bath filler which also acts as an overflow and opens/closes the waste.

The shower room houses a luxurious wet room with the Croma 220 overhead shower on a ceiling connector; this delivers a generous downpour but with an EcoSmart flow rate of 9 l/min.  The hand shower is the Raindance Select S120 hand shower with 3 spray functions including the invigorating WhirlAir twirling massage spray, also delivering 9 l/min. The Focus basin mixer is wall-mounted above a Belfast sink and has a swivel spout to double as a utility sink for washing clothes as well as hands.

Other sustainable products in the bathroom include a steel enamel eco bath, LED illuminated mirror, dual flush toilet, tiles that were bought in a factory sale and cork flooring. The shower room, which doubles as a utility room, has a A+++ washing machine tucked neatly under the stairs and the attractive floor tiles were reclaimed from a nearby skip.