TV personality Stacey Solomon recently showcased a maximalist bathroom in her Victorian residence to her 6 million Instagram followers. while the star dubbed the space the "Scarface bathroom" due to its cinematic resemblance, interior designer Jordana Ashkenazi has criticized the aesthetic as outdated.
The "Mount Olympus with Plumbing" design
The new bathroom suite is defined by an intense level of ornamentation that includes Roman columns, gold Greek-key borders, and massive marble steps.. according to the source, the space also features hand-painted murals of naked figures,which creates a highly theatrical atmosphere. Solomon herself described the scale of the room as extraordinary, jokingly comparing the oversized marble bathtub to a "swimming pool."
This high-concept approach has drawn immediate scrutiny from design professionals. While the craftsmanship of the hand-painted tiles is noted, the sheer volume of marble and classical imagery has turned the room into a polarizing centerpiece for the property.
A departure from the neutral tones of Pickle Cottage
This maximalist aesthetic represents a significant shift from the modern, neutral style found in Solomon's well-known £1.3 million home, Pickle Cottage. The move toward high-drama interiors is part of a broader trend in celebrity home renovations, where stars use their properties to make bold, personal statements. As the report notes, other A-listers have also experimented with unique themes, such as Myleene Klass using chandeliers or Millie Mackintosh opting for a copper bathtub.
The scale of these renovations often mirrors the wealth of the owners, similar to the £12 million home of Jamie Laing and Sophie Habboo. In their recent renovation, Laing and Habboo opted for a more restrained approach, featuring a white en suite with vintage tiled floors and dark wood furniture, contrasting sharply with the "Scarface" theme.
Jordana Ashkenazi’s "1990s hotel suite" verdict
Interior expert Jordana Ashkenazi has been vocal about her disapproval of the bathroom's current direction. As the source reported, Ashkenazi believes the combination of Greek goddess murals and heavy marble makes the room feel "disconnected" from the way people currently live and design in the UK. She argued that the aesthetic feels less like a permanent residence and more like a "themed hotel suite from the 1990s."
To fix the perceived issues , Ashkenazi suggested a complete overhaul that would maintain the room's grandeur while introducing "warmer natural stone," "beautiful aged brass," and "softer lighting." Her critique highlights a growing tension in luxury design between embracing a specific theme and maintaining a relationship with the underlying architecture of a period home.
The functional failures of the "Scarface" suite
Beyond the aesthetic debate, the bathroom currently faces several practical hurdles that remain unresolved. Solomon revealed to her followers that the massive bathtub is currently unusable because of debris found within the tank. Furthermore, the room's integrated sauna is not currently operational and requires professional servicing.
It remains to be seen whether Solomon will address these maintenance issues with simple repairs or if she will eventually follow Ashkenazi's advice and commit to a "full refurb." For now, the "Scarface" bathroom remains a beautiful but functionally compromised statement piece.
Comments 0