Before & After: A Clean Green Bathroom in NZ
A bold approach to colour, offset by the strategic use of timber, makes this bathroom perfect in the heritage mix
Vanessa Walker
19 July 2021
Houzz Australia & New Zealand Editor-in-Chief
In a Q&A format, we talk to the designers – and examine the creative thinking – behind some of Houzz’s most loveable rooms.
Images by Bonnie Beattie
Styling by Honour Creative and Bonnie Beattie
Answers by Frances Fraser and Portia Beacham, interior designers at Honour Creative
Who lives here: A family of four
Location: Wellington, NZ
Room size: A seven-square-metre family bathroom
Approximate budget: NZ$32,000/AU$30,200
Styling by Honour Creative and Bonnie Beattie
Answers by Frances Fraser and Portia Beacham, interior designers at Honour Creative
Who lives here: A family of four
Location: Wellington, NZ
Room size: A seven-square-metre family bathroom
Approximate budget: NZ$32,000/AU$30,200
The bathroom before works
Brief
To improve both functionality and aesthetics. While a modern look was desired, it was important that the space still reflected the classical character of the home’s bungalow-style architecture.
Structurally, separating the bathroom and laundry was an essential requirement, in order to create more open space and improve movement and flow in each area. Better storage that allowed the room to be uncluttered and items to be put away was also a key deliverable.
Renovating your bathroom? Find a specialised bathroom designer near you, browse images of their work and read reviews from previous clients
To improve both functionality and aesthetics. While a modern look was desired, it was important that the space still reflected the classical character of the home’s bungalow-style architecture.
Structurally, separating the bathroom and laundry was an essential requirement, in order to create more open space and improve movement and flow in each area. Better storage that allowed the room to be uncluttered and items to be put away was also a key deliverable.
Renovating your bathroom? Find a specialised bathroom designer near you, browse images of their work and read reviews from previous clients
The new floor plan, showing the bathroom and laundry
The bathroom before works
Starting point
A bold approach to colour was the driver of this design. Using a deep evergreen was decided upon early on in the brief, as it was a hue that would complement the midnight blue seen throughout the rest of the house.
Furthermore, the idea of matching evergreen against the rich American walnut timber references our innate connection with nature. This was important in creating a space that provides a sense of invigoration, similar to how we might respond to serene exterior settings.
A bold approach to colour was the driver of this design. Using a deep evergreen was decided upon early on in the brief, as it was a hue that would complement the midnight blue seen throughout the rest of the house.
Furthermore, the idea of matching evergreen against the rich American walnut timber references our innate connection with nature. This was important in creating a space that provides a sense of invigoration, similar to how we might respond to serene exterior settings.
Key design aspects
Colour palette:
Browse more bathrooms by New Zealand designers
Colour palette:
- Deep evergreen feature tiles.
- Rich timber joinery.
- Light, speckled grey floor tiles.
- Wall paint in Dulux Opononi Quarter.
Browse more bathrooms by New Zealand designers
Materials palette:
- Ceramica Vogue tiles in Menta satin finish 100 x 100 millimetres (green tiles).
- Refin Block Mist tiles 600 x 600 millimetres (floor tiles).
- American walnut timber (on ledge and vanity).
Key pieces of furniture/fixtures:
- Michel Cesar Erika Pro 1,000-millimetre Vanity in Walnut veneer from Plumbing World.
- Happy D.2 Toilet suite back-to-wall by Duravit from MetrixBath.
- Kaldewei Classic Duo 1,700 x 750 x 430-millimetre bath from Plumbing World.
- Zeppo wall lights by Astro Lighting from ECC Lighting & Furniture.
- Methven Maku Basin Mixer in Chrome.
- Methven Maku Shower Mixer with Fastflow shower rail and Maku Slide Rail Shower in Chrome.
- Trendy Mirrors Frameless Bevelled Edge custom-cut with demister from Plumbing World.
The area before works
Thinking behind the arrangement of furniture/fixtures:
It was important to feature the vanity unit and surrounding green feature tiles as the main focus when first entering the room. The bath required generous floor space in front, with consideration of a young family in mind.
Furthermore, closing off the open doorway that originally continued into the laundry allowed for this side of the bathroom to accommodate a larger glazed shower, heated towel rail and toilet. This layout overall supports a greater area of room to move, and works comfortably with the main door leading into the bathroom.
Thinking behind the arrangement of furniture/fixtures:
It was important to feature the vanity unit and surrounding green feature tiles as the main focus when first entering the room. The bath required generous floor space in front, with consideration of a young family in mind.
Furthermore, closing off the open doorway that originally continued into the laundry allowed for this side of the bathroom to accommodate a larger glazed shower, heated towel rail and toilet. This layout overall supports a greater area of room to move, and works comfortably with the main door leading into the bathroom.
What challenges did you work around?
A notable challenge in the design process was figuring out the intricate tile layout for the green feature tiles. This involved working with whole tiles wherever possible and making sure any half-tiles were always on a corner.
Laying the tiles comfortably below the existing window ledge and around the bath cradle required extra consideration; it was important that the tile elevation on this wall looked seamless and continuous with the adjacent vanity wall.
Among these parameters was also ensuring the distinct grout lines of the 100 x 100-millimetre square tiles were well-aligned with the 600 x 600-millimetre floor tiles.
A notable challenge in the design process was figuring out the intricate tile layout for the green feature tiles. This involved working with whole tiles wherever possible and making sure any half-tiles were always on a corner.
Laying the tiles comfortably below the existing window ledge and around the bath cradle required extra consideration; it was important that the tile elevation on this wall looked seamless and continuous with the adjacent vanity wall.
Among these parameters was also ensuring the distinct grout lines of the 100 x 100-millimetre square tiles were well-aligned with the 600 x 600-millimetre floor tiles.
The adjacent laundry (which carried the same materials through for continuity)
Why do you think this bathroom works?
Using the green feature tile in small proportions heightened the visual focus towards the vanity and bath elevations. The depth of the green becomes more striking when paired with the speckled, neutral tones of the larger-sized floor tile. Finding a harmonious balance between the colours and materials, and at the same time matching a sense of quality, durability and comfort to the function of the space contributed to the overall success of this project.
Why do you think this bathroom works?
Using the green feature tile in small proportions heightened the visual focus towards the vanity and bath elevations. The depth of the green becomes more striking when paired with the speckled, neutral tones of the larger-sized floor tile. Finding a harmonious balance between the colours and materials, and at the same time matching a sense of quality, durability and comfort to the function of the space contributed to the overall success of this project.
The laundry before works
Your turn
What do you like about this bathroom and adjacent laundry? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images for inspiration, like this story and join the renovation conversation.
More
Craving more beautiful transformations? Take a look at this Before & After: A Zen-Like Kitchen With Curves Galore
Your turn
What do you like about this bathroom and adjacent laundry? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images for inspiration, like this story and join the renovation conversation.
More
Craving more beautiful transformations? Take a look at this Before & After: A Zen-Like Kitchen With Curves Galore
Related Stories
Kitchens
A Kitchen That Uses Special Elements to Punch Above Its Weight
This couple wanted a well-designed kitchen that incorporated their pre-bought furniture; this designer delivered
Full Story
Kitchens
An Interplay of Light, Dark & Colour Creates a Striking Kitchen
All-white joinery, floors and walls is foiled by a handsome island bench and contemporary artworks in this handy kitchen
Full Story
Kitchens
Before & After: A Beachy Sydney Kitchen Sans the Coastal Cliché
A fresh materials palette gives a sense of place, while avoiding style stereotypes, to uplift this timeless new kitchen
Full Story
Kitchens
Before & After: A Penthouse Kitchen High on Glamour & Substance
This NZ penthouse kitchen needed to open up to the views and adjacent dining area. The designer served up that and more
Full Story
Projects Born on Houzz
Before & After: An Open-Plan Kitchen Goes from Boring to Boss
After scouting Houzz for designers, this couple found the right match in a local designer who transformed their space
Full Story
Kitchens
Before & After: A Cathedral-Like Kitchen With Soft Texture & Tone
High ceilings, curves, fluted features and beautiful tactile details elevate this white kitchen into the stratosphere
Full Story
Kitchens
Before & After: A Scandi-Style Kitchen in NZ That's Light & Airy
See this sweet, bright kitchen and dining space in Wellington, which had environmental concerns at the heart of its plan
Full Story
Kitchens
Before & After: A Quietly Quality Kitchen That Kept Its Layout
The layout couldn't be changed, but a clever approach to storage and colour transformed this Melbourne kitchen
Full Story
Projects Born on Houzz
Room of the Week: A Reader's Bathroom Inspired by Houzz
When you're planning a new bathroom, where do you look for ideas? Houzz, of course! See how this reader did it
Full Story
Kitchens
Room of the Week: A Scandi Kitchen That Doubles as a Workspace
Pared-back lines, a clay-coloured ceiling and a cooking/storage 'pod' star in this designer's family kitchen/work zone
Full Story
Amazing bathroom, worth the spend I’d say 💚
Does that cost include demolition, I assume asbestos removal and the new windows?
That deep evergreen + natural wood tone! I am transported to a blissful rainforest.