To Uyenvy Le...hope I got hat right...as they say "Great Minds..." I've never forgoten my early "nuddie days on Nauru Island" just after WWII...a whole tribe of little chocolate and vanilla kids with the whole Island as our playground...the older ones with a littley to watch over. Now, I was about to log off when I read an article by a fellow who says that its unhealthy to wash too much or have long baths...that in his opinion equate to "stewing in your own juice". He advocates a short shower without soap about tice a week otherwise a 'sink wash'....and expounds his theories based on the healthy, supple, smoothe skin of jungle natives who do not bathe or use soap....all their natural oils preserved....lalalaaa.. Started me thinking about an pleasurable alternative to "stewing" (his opinion)...I like to have a shower after a long bath both to close the pores and rinse off any.."juice". Oh YUK, why did he have to spoil my heaven! I spent years in Italy in a community where people did not bathe at all or use soap but showered briefly on Saturdays so to go to church on Sundays...it was the worst, so I'm not going to go without my ablutions ever again. But...what if there were such water restrictions that we were all limited to a measured amount of water per person? What of our showers and tubs? That started me thinking on how to remain sweet smelling and really clean. My solution was...SAUNA! I go up to the local Gym for a swim a sauna and a massage just to keep as much mobility as possible and I love the Sauna! You mentioned the Spa..but that requires copious water...then there's communal bathing...which is not something I've done as an adult...that also requires water plus...so SAUNA!... I am having increasing problems getting out of my tub. I'd researched the disability 'walk in tubs' that are filled after one gets in and closes the door on the side and in which one sits on a seat submerged in the water, the Molly Bather which is a belt that lowers one into and out of the tub...but being a permanent fixture it spoils the look of the bathroom...and I like pretty bathrooms as well as functional ones...So many options to getting into and out of a tub....some sort of pretty others not. Not because that fellow has worried me but just that I want to enjoy a really thorough, healthy invigorating cleanse that is easy to access, that is relaxing without making a bathoom that resembles sports locker room showers, the ablution wing of an institution or the disbility facilities in a hospital. Maybe remove my lovely tub and replace it with a state of the art practical sauna room could be the go. Any comments Houzzers?

Hi Lauren, without knowing the budget I will only give you ideas, you will have to do the leg work finding cost and available tradesmen in your area. People are correct in saying that it is best to renovate that area as that is not a nice colour design. I also dont know if you have the water heater in there (if so, go solar! or install one outside) and if there is a toilet the lay out of what i suggest will have to be rethought; Im going with that there is no heater or toilet in that area. *First off i would remove every tile, shelf, bathtub etc. Sell that vanity off and give the mirror to someone so they can do a mirror project. *Secondly i would look to see if the tubs brick work is sufficiently high and wide (increase its size will add a bit extra to the build) so you can make it into a roman style bath/shower. I my preference would be up to 50cm high. *For the next step i would look into getting either a sand stone or light grey floor tile (R10 tiles) and in a big size too (e.g 400mm x 300mm). White is fine too. Now the choice of colour for the tiling of the roman bath you can go the same colour or to add visually different style e.g. grey tiles for the floor + gloss white tiles for the roman bath + sandstone style tiles on the walls. Depending on your budget tile the walls up to the ceiling or if to costly try up to the 2m line (about the same height as the door). *I take it that the shower head and bath tap are on the window side. But something nice; meaning spend a bit of cash on these fittings. A shower head design that will go over your head and fall straight down. You can pick one up for about $300 or so. Also add a frameless glass plane that starts on the window side and comes out about 600 - 800mm (your prefence and budget on that one). It will create a clean image and you can still get in and out of the bath without moving sliding/swinging doors. The panel doesnt have to be to the ceiling but still high enough; maybe 1800mm high should be good. *Since you have removed the vanity and mirror you have brought in more natural light. On the side of the current steel sink, dryer and washing machine; put in cupboards. I will link in some pictures of inbuilt laundry ideas. Essentially hiding your stuff while giving you more storage space. Also think about putting mirrors on the outside of your cupboard doors to make the place feel bigger and give you your need for a mirror. You can either install both a laundry sink and a personal sink for brushing teeth at either end or a big porcelain (or make a DIY cement sink by viewing youtube or pinterest) sink to do the duty of both. Personally i would get both. *If you have issues with your enter door using up space; think about getting a accordian style door (they clasp in on themselves. Bunnings has some examples). Maybe go with a white top style (below) for the personal sink and laundry sink. Note the mirror doors, enclosed machines and lighting. This is the white top and bench space that would nice on that side. Also the visual effect of having the machines enclosed but still showcased. Another style. If this is all too modern for you or for the federation house then go for a similar design like sandstone coloured tiles, light grey wall tiles with a 4 legged bath tub and accompaniment brass over head shower and other brass fittings. Still have an enclosed laundry area but made more victorian like. Then next picture has only some of the points im trying to make but you can combine the 2 styles at your leisure.

emerald..don't know how you full time mum does it..I wouldn't be able to cope lol I only work part time and yet on the days I work I don't even look after myself properly lol. took the kids to Yum Cha today so I bought groceries at Melb Central before hopping on the train back .. just making a stir fry tonight..was going to have stir fried noodles..turned out my Hokkien noodles are expired..this is the reason why I don't buy stuff beforehand lol so will wing it and have with rice..one wok wonder with some scallops from the freezer.. my kids are easy they don't ever whinge about what I cook they know better..as sometimes I don't cook at all lol

Moving the niche is not an option at this point. But I do have a question about the niche. My tile installer wants me to consider using the gray tile (same as the floor) on the inside edges of the niche. This is because the wall tile is glass and imperfections in the glass (from cutting it) will show if the glass tile is on the inside edge. How do you guys think that would look? I tried to find photos of a niche where the wall and back of the niche were one color, with the sides being a second color and I couldn't find any examples. Has anyone seen that?