Stickybeak of the Week: A Sophisticated Bathroom With Storage to Spare
A renovated family bathroom radiates style and function, while embracing the traditional character of the home
As part of a larger renovation in this Victorian terrace house, the homeowners decided to update a dated master bathroom to better suit their family’s needs. The existing bathroom was very ’90s in design, with bright colours and impractical storage space. The owners wanted to create a functional new bathroom that included a European laundry, to maximise their storage options. With the help of interior designer Jenefer Macleod from eat.bathe.live, the family transformed an under-utilised open sitting room into the main bathroom and ‘borrowed’ hall space to create a brand new concealed laundry.
Room at a Glance
Who lives here: A busy couple and their two children
Location: North Carlton, Victoria
Size: Approximately 9 square metres, including the laundry
Designer: Jenefer Macleod of eat.bathe.live
Room at a Glance
Who lives here: A busy couple and their two children
Location: North Carlton, Victoria
Size: Approximately 9 square metres, including the laundry
Designer: Jenefer Macleod of eat.bathe.live
The design of the new bathroom needed to be practical and functional to suit the growing family. With limited room, a combined bath tub and shower was a sensible option that makes the most of the available floorspace. By continuing the feature tiles up the side of the bath tub as well as on the opposite wall behind the vanity and toilet, the designer enhanced the sense of space, making it seem more expansive.
Turin 1520 bath: Decina; Signature shower/bath mixer, Olde English shower arm and spout: Astra Walker; Cargo laundry basket: Abode Living
Turin 1520 bath: Decina; Signature shower/bath mixer, Olde English shower arm and spout: Astra Walker; Cargo laundry basket: Abode Living
To balance out the busy pattern of the feature tiles, the rest of the room was kept simple, with white for the walls and cabinetry, and timber veneer for the shelving. The Caesarstone benchtop in ‘Frosty Carina’ tones in with the vanity underneath, and perfectly complements the tiles on the opposite wall.
“The main consideration with this renovation project was working within the confines of 100-year-old solid brick walls,” Macleod explains. “We were able to do this with the use of false and supporting walls.”
Loop & Friends oval under-counter porcelain basin in ‘White’: Villeroy & Boch; Olde English wall basin set: Astra Walker
“The main consideration with this renovation project was working within the confines of 100-year-old solid brick walls,” Macleod explains. “We were able to do this with the use of false and supporting walls.”
Loop & Friends oval under-counter porcelain basin in ‘White’: Villeroy & Boch; Olde English wall basin set: Astra Walker
As the whole family uses this bathroom, an open layout with optimised storage space was crucial. The mirrored medicine cabinet above the vanity enlarges the room, while the open shelving becomes a focal point and a place to display everyday items. eat.bathe.live chose all the colours and finishes and custom-designed the built-in joinery, which was then installed by Williams Cabinets to achieve a bespoke look.
Vanity two-pack painted in ‘Natural White’ satin finish: Dulux; timber veneer open shelving: George Fethers & Co; Olde English toilet roll holder: Astra Walker
Vanity two-pack painted in ‘Natural White’ satin finish: Dulux; timber veneer open shelving: George Fethers & Co; Olde English toilet roll holder: Astra Walker
“While the clients had some clear ideas on what they wanted, we were really on the same wavelength in terms of finishes and selections,” says Macleod. The new bathroom showcases a perfect balance of traditional styling, unique design elements, and practical storage solutions to suit the young family.
Brasserie small overhead lamp in ‘Rust’: Emac Lawton
Brasserie small overhead lamp in ‘Rust’: Emac Lawton
The European laundry (also known as a ‘hidden’ laundry) found a perfect place in the under-utilised hallway just outside the bathroom. Tucked away behind large bi-fold doors are a washing machine, dryer, a sink, a broom cabinet and additional storage space.
TELL US
How have you transformed a dated bathroom into a functional family space? Post your tips and images in the Comments section.
MORE
Bathroom Renovation: How Much Will it Cost me?
Stickybeak of the Week: Refined Bathroom Makeover With Period Features
Texture-Terrific Bathroom That Engage the Senses
TELL US
How have you transformed a dated bathroom into a functional family space? Post your tips and images in the Comments section.
MORE
Bathroom Renovation: How Much Will it Cost me?
Stickybeak of the Week: Refined Bathroom Makeover With Period Features
Texture-Terrific Bathroom That Engage the Senses
Alchimia feature tiles in ‘Bia/Nero’ and Moods Mat wall tiles in ‘White’: Urban Edge Ceramics; Seido wall faced toilet: Fowler