Before & After: A Modern Bathroom-Laundry Makeover Story
An inveterate traveller took the pause of Covid-19 to remodel her bathroom in the memory of overseas destinations
In a Q&A format, we talk to the designers – and examine the creative thinking – behind some of Houzz’s most loveable rooms.
Brief
This is a two-bedroom apartment in Brisbane, and the client wanted a more spacious bathroom with a modern feel.
This is a two-bedroom apartment in Brisbane, and the client wanted a more spacious bathroom with a modern feel.
Starting point
The client was an avid traveller and the past two years of the pandemic taking a toll on that. I took her down the path of her most favourite destinations, in order to create the style and colour palette.
We wanted to produce a bathroom with warm tones, which envelopes you with a feeling of calm and takes you to a faraway Mediterranean place.
The client was an avid traveller and the past two years of the pandemic taking a toll on that. I took her down the path of her most favourite destinations, in order to create the style and colour palette.
We wanted to produce a bathroom with warm tones, which envelopes you with a feeling of calm and takes you to a faraway Mediterranean place.
The stand-alone powder room, which also features terrazzo tiles for continuity, is located next door to the bathroom.
The bathroom before works.
The bathroom before works.
The bathroom before works.
The bathroom before works.
The bathroom floor plan.
Key design aspects
Colour palette: The styles depicted in the briefing notes indicated a strong sense of black, terracotta, soft muted pastels, and terrazzo.
Materials palette:
Colour palette: The styles depicted in the briefing notes indicated a strong sense of black, terracotta, soft muted pastels, and terrazzo.
Materials palette:
- Ven Villa Terrazzo in Ivory from Amber Tiles.
- Coral Natural porcelain subway tiles from Amber Tiles.
Key pieces of furniture/fittings:
- All tapware from Meir.
- Noosa Waveboard with optional legs and shelf from Otti Australia.
- Thermogroup LED mirror.
- Radiant heated towel ladder.
- Hotwire heated flooring with thermostat.
What challenges did you work around?
This apartment block was built in the late 1970s or early ’80s and has solid block walls, so chasing new services into concrete has its costs and integrity-of-structure issues. The inclusion of a nib wall as part of the design also helped house plumbing that would have otherwise been exposed, running along the vanity wall.
The other challenge was to maintain the laundry, as there were no relocation opportunities available. The works also had to be done in a certain timeframe when the client was able to vacate the property as she didn’t have another bathroom.
This apartment block was built in the late 1970s or early ’80s and has solid block walls, so chasing new services into concrete has its costs and integrity-of-structure issues. The inclusion of a nib wall as part of the design also helped house plumbing that would have otherwise been exposed, running along the vanity wall.
The other challenge was to maintain the laundry, as there were no relocation opportunities available. The works also had to be done in a certain timeframe when the client was able to vacate the property as she didn’t have another bathroom.
Why do you think these rooms work?
The bathroom and powder room now have personality and the design has achieved the brief in terms of providing more openness in the space.
The bathroom and powder room now have personality and the design has achieved the brief in terms of providing more openness in the space.
Your turn
What ideas have you picked up from this beautiful bathroom-laundry renovation? 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
Want to see another great ensuite renovation? Don’t miss this Before & After: From Chaotic Courtyard to Lockdown Oasis
What ideas have you picked up from this beautiful bathroom-laundry renovation? 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
Want to see another great ensuite renovation? Don’t miss this Before & After: From Chaotic Courtyard to Lockdown Oasis
Who lives here: A woman
Location: Paddington, Queensland
Room purpose and size: A bathroom with an internal laundry about 6.2 square metres in total
Approximate budget: AU$36,000