The Recycled House - Bedford, WA Eclectic Bathroom, Perth

This Perth home also features newspapers as wallpaper to great effect. When Etica Studio designer Carla Karsakis and her husband were renovating their Art Deco cottage, they uncovered a delightful bit of history – hundreds of 1955 newspaper sheets under the linoleum floors. “We salvaged these and used them for paper flowers at our wedding and, most recently, as wallpaper in our new home’s dresser and ensuite,” says Carla. “It is stunning and the soft brown colour of the sheets adds real warmth to the room.”

The couple had the choice of creating a separate ensuite and a separate dressing room, but were conscious to use the space wisely, so opted to turn it into one big room.When first renovating the front character house, Carla and Ben discovered a batch of old 1950s newspapers under the lino flooring. These papers mean a lot to the couple. When they got married they used the papers to create paper flowers. At first they framed them for the new house, but then Carla decided to make a feature wall to celebrate the history of both the house and of their relationship. The warm, neutral tones of these papers can be seen from the master bedroom.The enamel sink was one of the first things they bought. The couple then found an antique buffet cabinet and employed a carpenter to turn it into a vanity.Discover other materials to paper your walls with that aren’t wallpaper

Why not repurpose an old piece of furniture and turn it into a vanity cabinet? With a few minor alterations you will have a one-off vanity that looks amazing and costs little.TELL USWhich of these clever design ideas appeals to you? We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments section.MOREVanity Flair: 13 Gorgeous Looks for Bathroom VanitiesFind a Bathroom Vanity That Suits the Way You LiveBrilliant Bathroom Basins…With a Difference

We’ve decided to call on our own, so this one’s for our Australian renovators. We’d love to know what you’ve discovered behind the walls of your own projects. We’ll be featuring some of the best photos in an upcoming story for the home page.Take Carla and Ben Karsakis from Bedford, WA for example. When they pulled up the lino flooring while renovating their character home, they discovered a batch of old 1950s newspapers which now have pride of place as a wallpaper in their bathroom.Send in your stories, but first, have a read about what Houzzers across the Pacific have uncovered…

Get the quality and price balance rightDon’t over-capitalise. Using the most expensive fitting doesn’t necessarily make for a better looking or quality bathroom. Remember, sometimes you are paying extra for the branding. The product’s warranty is usually a pretty good indication of its quality. There are plenty of stylish, good quality, reasonably priced fittings available. Always give yourself a couple of options within different price ranges. That way you can you can always fall back on the cheaper option without being too disappointed.

8. Or an old cabinetYour home is your oyster, and the materials don’t have to be built brand new. The owners of this homespun home found an antique buffet cabinet at a market and employed a carpenter to turn it into a vanity, with the help of their prized pastel enamel sink.Step inside this home built entirely with salvaged finds

1. Choose an interior styleWhether you’re renting, working with existing conditions, or planning a brand-new bathroom renovation, know the interior style you are working with. In my opinion, a home should have a common thread and the interior style should flow throughout the home, including the bathroom. For instance, in this period-style bathroom, a few quirky and interesting touches have been added to give the space real personality, yet keep within the interior style and architecture of the existing space. Choose accessories in line with the interior style to pretty up the vanity or wall space. As the bathroom needs to remain functional, items that you use daily can make up the bulk of the accessories component, such as hand soaps, a scented candle and glass containers housing make-up or face wipes. However, don’t shy away from displaying an ornament if it ties in with the overall scheme and won’t clutter the space.