We recently made over a bathroom with dated features & a claw foot bath. See before & after pics. The bath was almond beige with brass feet. Painted it Dulux Ticking on the outside & used Rustoleum Tub & Tile on the inside. Bit of a process but we're very happy with the result. We were able to take the bath out of the room to paint so this made it easier. Left it to "cure" for quite a while before reinstalling & using. Sprayed the feet with chrome paint. The cabinet in after pic is the same cab as before, but with laminate benchtop removed & new wooden top & sides, benchtop basin, new tap. Treated the benchtop with 5 coats of marine grade polyurethane & painted the cabinet drawer fronts & doors with same paint as the bath (oil based). Floor retiled (over existing tile), double hung window removed and replaced with a fixed frame & frosted glass. Most expensive part was the new glass shower screen. My advice is to take the time to do correct prep & leave surfaces to harden thoroughly before using. With the bath I never run the hot tap first into the bath ie. warm water first then hot & only clean with detergent & a soft cloth, don't use any abrasive or harsh cleaners.

@ susan_66 ..precisely my thoughts on revisiting this forum! Just purchased a soft rubbery head rest designed to fit over the edge of these 'modern' baths...so have a headrest that is softer. On revisiting the PICS...YES that metal bath does look creepy and institutional-like but suppose somebody would think it the epitome of class.. PIc No 4...still reminds me of our half-a-wine barrel-tub we had as a make do as kids but the nostalgia would still not make me buy one. Am somewhat perplexed with some of the design features or lack of that are presenting to house-makers as the ultimate in style and trend. I think that some younger people with the idea of being "with it" and having perhaps little experience and more money than sense would go for any of these bath tub ideas. Whatever constitutes comfort to me...I'm all for it ! I really like the look of some of those free standing tubs with the high backs, many with rolled edges...that to me resemble ornaments. I wonder if they would also be comfortable...some seem very short and I like to be able to stretch out in the bath and relax. @ Luke Buckle...with susan_66...I do not like any of these tubs and would not trade my long, heavy enamelled cast iron tub set up against the wall looking out to the plants arranged on the northern veranda for any of these.

I have a shower over bath combo' which its plastic resin something? It's a old bungalow and pitifully small. The amount of times I have nearly slipped over getting out, or lost my balance with soap in my eyes/ or after having a glass of wine. hate hate it. I did see a shower room with a additional hand held device and a over head shower. I thought that good for the odd squirt your feet down. The next owners will probably rip it all out and start again any way when design ideas change.

Hi there, I think that the skylight would definitely be the way to go, if your budget runs to it. It will really lift the whole stairwell and make it much lighter and brighter. Full height frosted doors may be OK on the laundry, but I wouldn't recommend it for the bathroom as when lights are on in the room, you may be able to see more than you bargained for, from the corridor. The occupants of the house may feel comfortable with it, but any guests or visitors may not. A frosted panel at the top of the door would be as far as I'd go. Bear in mind too, that glass lets more sound through than timber, and in a situation like yours, I'd recommend a solid core door, for that reason. I hope this helps!