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About Us
Owen Barnes is the principal designer for Bubbles Bathrooms. A boutique design and renovation specialist company in Melbourne, styling and crafting custom-built bathrooms. His team of designers and craftsmen have been recognised with over 50 Australian Housing & Design Industry Awards and are the most awarded designers and builders in the industry. As well as his design credentials, Owen’s reputation is built on exceptional client service, attention to detail and project management experience.
Bubbles Bathrooms design approach impeccably reflect the personal taste of their clients and seamlessly blend aesthetics with function and haute couture workmanship.
We recognise that an enjoyable client experience is at the heart of every successful renovation project. We engage Melbourne’s best craftsmen and designers who combine creativity and technical knowledge. Through our innovative client-focused administration system and your own personal web portal, you will be able to communicate regularly with your designer, and monitor your project’s progress from concept to completion.
Services Provided
Bathroom Design, Project Management
Areas Served
Toorak, Kew
Awards
2017 HIA Vic Best Bathroom Designer 2016 HIA Vic Best Bathroom project 50K+ 2016 HIA Vic Best Bathroom Designer 2015 HIA Overall Best Bathroom in Australia 2014 HIA Vic Best Bathroom, Melbourne 2012 HIA Vic Best Bathroom, Melbourne 2011 HIA Vic Best Bathroom, Melbourne
Professional Information
Licenced Domestic builder - Unrestricted licence Certified Bathroom designer Certified Kitchen designer
Category
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27 Reviews for Bubbles Bathrooms
Newest first
No. 2 Redders
Average rating: 1 out of 5 stars
USE BUBBLES BATHROOMS AT YOUR PERIL!!!!!!!!!!
You have been warned.
Unfortunately, I am not able to leave the review that I wanted to due to size limitations, so this a very abridged version of the myriad of problems that we encountered.
When we first used our new shower, the force of the shower water caused the water in the shower to overflow onto the bathroom floor. The slope put into the shower was insufficient. You would imagine that a bathroom renovation company would understand that water and it’s flow is dictated to by gravity.
So, to rectify this, BB’s simply ripped up the tiles, filled up the front end with filler and put the tiles back. They also added a piece of silver stripping at the top to prevent water overflowing onto the floor.
So, approximately 4 weeks after we started to use the shower, the floor tiles became loose. YES! One month in and the tiles were lifting. Again, BB’s answer to this was to rip up the shower floor and relay it AGAIN! So the shower floor had to be laid 3 times.
Now this is where the serious problems stated. Late in 2019 I noticed that water was squeezing up through the grout. I assumed that the tiles had come loose again and called a tiler to have a look at the problem.
A tiler started to pull up some of the tiles, and when he did, not only did the tile come up but the water proof membrane, cement sheeting and the rotten wooden floor underneath came up too. The tiler pointed out that the water proof membrane had been compromised. When I explained to him what occurred with the shower floor when it was first installed, he believed that this is when the problem occurred.
We had 2 builders and a tiler look at the damage. Both the builders and the assessor reported that the leak had been occurring “for many years” and was a result of the membrane being compromised. When I explained what had occurred all those years back, they stated that the membrane MUST be installed in one piece. Our shower floor was ripped up twice and the membrane was never reinstalled properly. This did not stop the owner, Owen Barnes, from issuing a “Waterproofing Certificate of Compliance”.
I contacted BB to advise them of the problem and Owen Barnes was quick to ring to arrange for a time to come around and have a look at the issue. I assumed that he was coming around to offer assistance with the problem. Owen Barnes spent all his time here taking photos with his phone. Not addressing me our offering any solutions. I received an email from him later that night stating possible causes for the broken membrane including a hair line crack in another room may have caused the membrane to break. touching up the grouting may also have caused the problem. When it was repaired, the new builders advised that many of the tiles had been laid flat so the water could not drain and the deterioration commenced the day we started using the shower.
DO NOT USE
February 4, 2025
Amy Novak
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Owen and Bubbles Bathrooms did an amazing job planning and managing our bathroom project. Owen came in with amazing ideas and catered to our needs perfectly. Couldn't write a higher recommendation!
June 30, 2022
Bubbles Bathrooms completed 3 bathrooms for us, each better than the other. We were so impressed by their design. They thought outside the box and came up with a design that was different to any other design and quote we had received (all of which were award winners). They were prepared to deal with any obstructions to achieve an amazing design and would not settle for second best. Their ideas are both aesthetic and practical. Any requests were thoroughly considered and worked through, even if difficult. They quickly knew our style and directed us to the suppliers that would best suit our style, and they were spot on. They attended with us to suppliers and retailers and gave us their professional opinion and artistic and creative recommendations to guide us and achieve unbelievable results. They worked on time and to schedule. They were so clean and thoughtful. They were extremely considerate of us living at home while renovating. They never broke their words or promises. Their work ethics are extremely high. We had several groups of people working in our house at the same time in different areas (extension, kitchen, painters etc) and they by far were the most reliable, clean, accurate, on time, professional and respectful of all trades. They were even kind enough to help the other trades with their jobs and give them guidance and recommendations. They were always available to communicate with, aided with an interactive computer and phone site which enables all parties involved to view communication and communicate with one another. Any issues were dealt with almost immediately. I actually do not have any criticism or even constructive feedback. And I am now left with 3 bathrooms that look like a photo from a home magazine. They are more than what we could have dreamt of. Just looking at our bathrooms takes me to the most relaxing holiday.
They cannot be beaten on service, quality, design, creativity, thoughtfulness, cleanliness, punctuality and how approachable they are.
We would highly recommend Bubbles Bathrooms to any person wanting the simplest or most complex of bathroom renovations.
December 24, 2019
Janine Kirk
Average rating: 4 out of 5 stars
We are delighted with our beautiful bathroom - from the design, selection of materials, to the mood lighting - it has created a wonderful retreat. Bubbles was highly professional and nothing was too much trouble. They were committed to getting the product right . It was a complete re-build, so there were times when there were issues that had to be resolved, but each issue was handled with professionalism and a desire to get the best result - and they did so.

August 16, 2018

Comment from Bubbles Bathrooms:
Thank you very much for your review Janine.
It was a great pleasure working with you both, and we are delighted that you are happy with the result. Your bathroom was an exciting challenge for us to design and the final result - looks as good as we imagined.
We hope you enjoy your new bathroom retreat for many more years to come, and look forward to seeing you again soon.
Warm Regards,
Bubbles Team.
It was a great pleasure working with you both, and we are delighted that you are happy with the result. Your bathroom was an exciting challenge for us to design and the final result - looks as good as we imagined.
We hope you enjoy your new bathroom retreat for many more years to come, and look forward to seeing you again soon.
Warm Regards,
Bubbles Team.
HU-366913339
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
I cannot speak highly enough of Owen & the Bubbles Bathrooms team!
Owen understood my colour palette ideas and delivered the perfect family bathroom & laundry renovations.
All tradesman were polite and efficient, completing all work within the time promised.
Now to plan my ensuite renovation! :)
July 19, 2018Last modified:August 26, 2018
samuel krost
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
After going through multiple companies and quotes, we chose Bubbles to renovate our Master Ensuite. We were impressed with Owen and Zacharia design and advice from the day we first met. They were both professional and trustworthy. They offered out of the box ideas that really suited our style and home. They both had a sense of practicality as well as intuitive design. The project was finished on time and as promised. Their seem-less online portal and communication system made things so easy for us and our family's busy schedule. The builders were very polite and professional and took great care of our home..
Definitely worth the money and would recommend them to anyone who want a quality job for the long term, and want something a little more than extra special. Thank you Bubbles.
June 27, 2018Last modified:June 27, 2018
Susan Bennett
Average rating: 1 out of 5 stars
Read reviews on Houzz.
Reviews fabulous.
Paid $400 for site visit and quotation.
Then, suddenly I had to be part of the quotation process by downloading “cobuild” programme that I had to use. I’m not a computer person. I didn’t know how to use this programme, log in/log out, fill if product details etc. I had to employ someone to do the computer work at $25 an hour. Owen never mentioned that I had to cobuild with him BEFORE I ponied up for the quote. What a waste of time and money only to get a quote 25% higher than every other quote from builders who could work out the cost themselves. His response “I’m better than everyone else”.
Beware if you are not a computer person. You are paying for yourself to do the work too.
January 10, 2018

Comment from Bubbles Bathrooms:
Dear Susan,
We are sorry that you had that experience. The system was very new at the time (nearly 2 years ago) when you had started the process and we were unaware that you had that level of difficulty. We are constantly improving with the help of customer feedback such as yours. We have implemented major upgrades since then and we believe these improvements have addressed the issues you have highlighted. We do also have a non web based procedure for people who are not "computer savvy".
In regards to your comment about the quote. We do take pride in our work, we are not "better than everyone else", although we do believe we offer a high quality service and workmanship which has been acknowledged by a multitude of independent industry awards.
Regards,
Bubbles Admin.
We are sorry that you had that experience. The system was very new at the time (nearly 2 years ago) when you had started the process and we were unaware that you had that level of difficulty. We are constantly improving with the help of customer feedback such as yours. We have implemented major upgrades since then and we believe these improvements have addressed the issues you have highlighted. We do also have a non web based procedure for people who are not "computer savvy".
In regards to your comment about the quote. We do take pride in our work, we are not "better than everyone else", although we do believe we offer a high quality service and workmanship which has been acknowledged by a multitude of independent industry awards.
Regards,
Bubbles Admin.
emmapayne21
Average rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Owen and the team at Bubbles transformed our small bathroom and adjoining space to a more user-friendly and practical room. Always the professionals, we appreciated the good communication throughout the process and access to our project through the online portal. Great quality of workmanship! Thank you to Owen, Zac, Anna and the entire team at Bubbles.
April 13, 2017

Comment from Bubbles Bathrooms:
Thank You Emma,
It was a Pleasure for all of us also. We finished just in time for the new arrival, When the next one comes along, we will need to get started a little sooner .......(in the new house Brad)
It was a Pleasure for all of us also. We finished just in time for the new arrival, When the next one comes along, we will need to get started a little sooner .......(in the new house Brad)
I have heard a lot about them from a friend. He has taken the service and told me about it. I also saw their work and its amazing. Nice job done!
March 9, 2017

Comment from Bubbles Bathrooms:
Thank you Lary,
I hope we get the opportunity to create something special for you also.
I hope we get the opportunity to create something special for you also.
spinglim
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Our bathroom renovation has just started a week ago as planned. We are extremely impressed with the way the Bubbles' team has carried out the renovation work so far! Boy, we have never seen a renovation place so tidy and clean!! Even we don't arrange our tools so neatly like they do! The work conduct of the team has been exemplary! The whole place is practically dust-free! We can't wait to see the finished product!
March 6, 2017Last modified:March 7, 2017

Comment from Bubbles Bathrooms:
Thank you Ben & Ping, We are also excited to see the end result, especially the main bathroom.
We were looking for a bathroom renovation with the "wow factor" and that is what we got. The existing bathroom was a disaster with a dangerous sunken Roman bath. We now have a beautifully designed, functional bathroom with impeccable detail and workmanship from all of the associated trades.
We cannot praise Owen Barnes highly enough together with his design and building teams for their part in the work. They were a pleasure to deal with in every respect.
July 26, 2016

Comment from Bubbles Bathrooms:
Thank you Jim and Lydia for the kind words. On behalf of the bubbly team we thank you for being the ideal customers and trusting our expertise. I have to admit, having a professional builder with over 35 years of building experience, in high end construction as a client, did make me nervous!!
Really looking forward to completing the kitchen. The concepts are innovative and stunning.
Really looking forward to completing the kitchen. The concepts are innovative and stunning.
I recently renovated my bathroom with Bubbles Bathrooms. I was impressed by their professionalism from the moment I made contact with them right to their tradesmen. Their experience and wisdom in their work turned my old, leaky and outdated bathroom into a masterpiece. They listened to my needs for the bathroom and provided endless guidance and advice from the design to product selection. They never pushed their ideas or products onto us and always happy to assist when we had queries about products we were sourcing ourselves.
Their tradesmen were very professional. They were prompt and tidy (they even cleaned up after themselves at the end of each day). They were very polite with my nosy kids and family who kept asking them what they were doing, and very conscious of safety around the house (as I have lots of children and elderly in the house).
What more can I say?!?! Wow, thank you to the Bubbly team! You guys rock!!
February 17, 2016

Comment from Bubbles Bathrooms:
Thank you so much for your kind comments. It was a pleasure assisting you with the products you sourced yourself. Loved the blue, white and grey theme you picked out for your bathroom. Yes, our craftsmen were vey mindful having the kids around whilst renovating your home and enjoyed the chickens you had in your yard. They were quite delightful.The children I mean :) Do send us some photographs so we could add it in our gallery portfolio.
Back to NavigationContact Seller
Business Details
Business Name
Bubbles Bathrooms
Phone Number
0407 839 826
Address
Chadstone, Victoria 3148
Australia
Typical Job Cost
AUD $100 - 500,000
Licence Number
License Number: DBU 5640
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We hope your family will enjoy your newly designed home for many more years to come.
From Owen, Zacharia and the Bubbles Team