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Before & After
Before & After: An Angular Ensuite Reworked for Efficiency
A leafy outlook and a lovely spa bath made this couple decide to keep the layout but change up the functionality
In a Q&A format, we talk to the designers – and examine the creative thinking – behind some of Houzz’s most loveable rooms.
Brief
Our lovely client had been living in their home for many years, and with buoyant real estate prices decided it was time to upgrade to a more contemporary vibe. They love the bushy outlook but the sky window brings in a lot of heat in the summer.
They enjoy a two-person spa bath so replacing that with another was a must-have and a deal-breaker. This meant that the shower really needed to stay in its existing location, as did the double vanity.
Our lovely client had been living in their home for many years, and with buoyant real estate prices decided it was time to upgrade to a more contemporary vibe. They love the bushy outlook but the sky window brings in a lot of heat in the summer.
They enjoy a two-person spa bath so replacing that with another was a must-have and a deal-breaker. This meant that the shower really needed to stay in its existing location, as did the double vanity.
The narrow space and triangular shape were challenging to work with. Some ‘tricks’ we used to make the space feel more generous included:
Tempted to redesign your bathroom? Find a bathroom designer near you, browse images of their work and read reviews from previous clients
- Installing a wall-hung vanity and frameless shower screen.
- Painting white over the stained-timber window frames.
- Semi-recessing the mirrored cabinets.
- Designing a shower niche for shampoo storage.
- Specifying wall-mounted basin tapware (for less benchtop clutter).
- Using more efficient and brighter LED lighting.
- Bringing in more streamlined shapes, for example the slim lines of the basin edge.
Tempted to redesign your bathroom? Find a bathroom designer near you, browse images of their work and read reviews from previous clients
The ensuite before works.
The ensuite before works with the double spa.
Key design aspects
Colour palette:
Colour palette:
- Calming light neutrals balanced with the contrast of mature and sophisticated wood tones.
The ensuite before works.
Materials palette:
- Matt porcelain tiles.
- Ceramic tiles.
- Kit-kat linear mosaics.
- Timber veneer.
- Velvet-smooth solid surface vanity top and handles.
- Smoky glass wall light.
- Reflective surfaces with polished chrome and mirror.
The busy floor tiles before works.
We helped to balance the budget with ‘splurges’ and ‘saves’. The white ceramic wall tiles and well-priced floor tiles are a ‘save’, while the subtly speckled kit-kat feature tiles and Issy vanity are the ‘splurge’ items.
We helped to balance the budget with ‘splurges’ and ‘saves’. The white ceramic wall tiles and well-priced floor tiles are a ‘save’, while the subtly speckled kit-kat feature tiles and Issy vanity are the ‘splurge’ items.
Key pieces of furniture/fittings:
Browse more beautiful Australian bathrooms in grey
- Issy vanity from Reece.
- Zuster mirrored cabinets from Reece.
Browse more beautiful Australian bathrooms in grey
What challenges did you work around?
Needing to keep the existing footprint and the large corner bath.
Needing to keep the existing footprint and the large corner bath.
The dimensions of the space remained the same.
Why do you think this room works?
We have simplified the look and feel. Gone are the busy floor tiles and in their place is a calm, neutral floor tile that disappears into the background. This allows us to focus primarily on the vanity area and the garden view outside.
The client was used to the constraints of the space, but they now enjoy it more thoroughly as the storage is better resolved and they have extra luxuries such as underfloor heating in winter, a heated towel ladder, a better shower experience, and honeycomb blinds that reduce the majority of the summer heat.
Your turn
Which ideas would you steal from this space? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images for inspiration, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Catch your next great transformation here with this Before & After: A Modern Moroccan-Themed Kitchen
We have simplified the look and feel. Gone are the busy floor tiles and in their place is a calm, neutral floor tile that disappears into the background. This allows us to focus primarily on the vanity area and the garden view outside.
The client was used to the constraints of the space, but they now enjoy it more thoroughly as the storage is better resolved and they have extra luxuries such as underfloor heating in winter, a heated towel ladder, a better shower experience, and honeycomb blinds that reduce the majority of the summer heat.
Your turn
Which ideas would you steal from this space? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images for inspiration, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Catch your next great transformation here with this Before & After: A Modern Moroccan-Themed Kitchen
Who lives here: Two busy parents and three teenagers
Location: Lane Cove, NSW
Room purpose and size: The main ensuite
Designer: Inspired Interiors by Robyn Coté
Approximate budget: AU$25,000 plus trades
Did you use Houzz Pro for this project? Yes, for Room Boards, product images and pricing, and time tracking and invoicing.