Before & After
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Before & After: A Zero-Character Bathroom Comes to Life
These homeowners found the perfect bathroom designer on Houzz to revive their dated and characterless bathroom
In a Q&A format, we talk to the designers – and examine the creative thinking – behind some of Houzz’s most loveable rooms.
This bathroom in a farmhouse in a Collombatti, NSW, had beautiful vaulted ceilings, but not much else going for it. It was dark, dated and falling apart. Plus, a toilet located in a separate room within the main bathroom swallowed up precious floor space, and a frosted window did nothing to take advantage of the home’s glorious mountain views.
The bathroom required a total renovation, including new fittings and flooring, an updated layout, and improved connection with the landscape. And the efforts paid off – it was nominated as a finalist in the 2021 Kitchen & Bathroom Designers Institute (KBDi) Awards.
Inspired to redo your own bathroom? Find a local bathroom designer on Houzz
Inspired to redo your own bathroom? Find a local bathroom designer on Houzz
The bathroom after works
How did Houzz help with this project?
The client found us on Houzz and we shared Houzz Ideabooks when creating the concept.
We also managed the whole project from start to finish using Houzz Pro software.
How did Houzz help with this project?
The client found us on Houzz and we shared Houzz Ideabooks when creating the concept.
We also managed the whole project from start to finish using Houzz Pro software.
What was the client’s brief?
They wanted a bright and open bathroom that reflected their personalities.
They sought earthy colours and a sense of luxury. Easy cleaning – no glass shower screen was a must – and the ability to add lots of plants were essential.
Part of their brief was also the ability to wash their dog, daKookie, in the bathroom.
They wanted a bright and open bathroom that reflected their personalities.
They sought earthy colours and a sense of luxury. Easy cleaning – no glass shower screen was a must – and the ability to add lots of plants were essential.
Part of their brief was also the ability to wash their dog, daKookie, in the bathroom.
What were their must-haves?
- A luxurious, freestanding bath.
- No shower screen (the client hates having to keep glass shower screens clean).
- A large window to capture the views.
- A double showerhead for washing their dog.
What exactly did you do?
- Removed the old bathroom.
- Replaced the floor as the waterproofing had broken and we also found a rats’ nest under the bath.
- Removed the walls separating the toilet from the rest of the bathroom and incorporated it into the main room in order to create more space.
- Added a large 1,500 x 1,500-millimetre window above the bath.
Key design aspects
Colour palette:
Colour palette:
- A black tile trim to frame the wall tiles and windows.
- Earthy taupe-tone floor and wall tiles.
- Gunmetal tapware.
- Walnut vanity.
- Dulux Mt Aspiring paint.
Materials palette:
Key pieces of furniture/fittings:
- Mayfair 300 x 300-millimetre porcelain wall and floor tiles in Taupe.
- AST Stone Corporation Matt White 300 x 600-millimetre wall tiles.
- Penny Round Orb 209 tiles to the shower niche.
Key pieces of furniture/fittings:
- Schots Home Emporium Calissa wall-hung vanity in walnut.
- Fienza Athenia oval bath.
- Phoenix Tapware Vivid Slimline floor-mounted bath and tapware in Gunmetal.
- Phoenix Tapware Vivid Twin Shower set in Gunmetal.
- Caroma Urbane toilet.
What do you think made the biggest difference?
Removing the toilet walls to open up the space and putting in the large window to let light in.
Why did you choose to angle the bath?
To maximise views when you’re lying in the tub.
Be inspired by more images of beautiful Australian bathrooms on Houzz
Removing the toilet walls to open up the space and putting in the large window to let light in.
Why did you choose to angle the bath?
To maximise views when you’re lying in the tub.
Be inspired by more images of beautiful Australian bathrooms on Houzz
Why did you curve the shower wall?
The room was almost square so we wanted to soften its lines. The curved shower wall also sits beautifully alongside the curved vanity and penny-round tiles.
How did you make the timber eaves work in the design?
The client loves the timber eaves, so to make them work we tiled just above the windows, added a black tiled trim as a finishing point and painted the space above in Dulux Mt Aspiring to accentuate the beams.
The room was almost square so we wanted to soften its lines. The curved shower wall also sits beautifully alongside the curved vanity and penny-round tiles.
How did you make the timber eaves work in the design?
The client loves the timber eaves, so to make them work we tiled just above the windows, added a black tiled trim as a finishing point and painted the space above in Dulux Mt Aspiring to accentuate the beams.
A double showerhead makes light work of dog-washing day
Your turn
What is your favourite feature here? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save these images for inspiration, like this story and join the renovation conversation.
More
Want more on bathroom makeovers? Don’t miss this Before & After: How a Peachy Approach Made a Sweet Bathing Space
Your turn
What is your favourite feature here? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save these images for inspiration, like this story and join the renovation conversation.
More
Want more on bathroom makeovers? Don’t miss this Before & After: How a Peachy Approach Made a Sweet Bathing Space
Images by TDK Creative
Answers by Brett Patterson, senior designer and managing director at The Renovation Broker
Who lives here: A couple
Location: Collombatti, NSW
Rooms’ purpose and size: A main bathroom measuring nine square metres
Approximate budget: $25,000
Builder: Lindon Smith
Bathroom designer and stylist: Brett Patterson at The Renovation Broker