Before & After: A Fresh & Zesty Makeover of a Clunky '90s Ensuite
From awkward and old-fashioned to spacious, bright & functional – see how a designer worked her magic in a '90s ensuite
Georgia Madden
25 July 2022
In a Q&A format, we talk to the designers – and examine the creative thinking – behind some of Houzz’s most loveable rooms.
Images by Natasha Micic. Answers by Isabella Cadona, interior designer at ACT Renovations.
Who lives here: A family of three
Location: Jerrabomberra, NSW
Room purpose and size: A master ensuite measuring 7.2 square metres
Designer: Isabella Cadona, interior designer at ACT Renovations
Approximate budget: AU$45,000
How did Houzz Pro help with this project?
We used the Houzz Pro Mood Boards tool to create inspiration boards and, together with our client, we used Houzz images for inspiration.
Who lives here: A family of three
Location: Jerrabomberra, NSW
Room purpose and size: A master ensuite measuring 7.2 square metres
Designer: Isabella Cadona, interior designer at ACT Renovations
Approximate budget: AU$45,000
How did Houzz Pro help with this project?
We used the Houzz Pro Mood Boards tool to create inspiration boards and, together with our client, we used Houzz images for inspiration.
The ensuite before works.
What is the house like?
A single-level 1990s house with a cottage-style facade.
What was the ensuite like originally?
Small, dated and awkward, with cream tiles and lots of dark timber. Most of the room was taken up with a large corner spa bath.
There was just enough room for a 700-millimetre-wide vanity, but the layout meant it received little to no light from the window.
What is the house like?
A single-level 1990s house with a cottage-style facade.
What was the ensuite like originally?
Small, dated and awkward, with cream tiles and lots of dark timber. Most of the room was taken up with a large corner spa bath.
There was just enough room for a 700-millimetre-wide vanity, but the layout meant it received little to no light from the window.
The ensuite before works.
What was the brief?
Our client wanted to create a more user-friendly and beautiful ensuite.
Ready to bring your ensuite up-to-date? Find a bathroom designer near you on Houzz
What was the brief?
Our client wanted to create a more user-friendly and beautiful ensuite.
Ready to bring your ensuite up-to-date? Find a bathroom designer near you on Houzz
The new floor plan.
What look and feel did you want to create?
We wanted it to feel light and bright, with an added level of indulgence. This was achieved with the choice of materials and by adding a skylight to draw in light.
What look and feel did you want to create?
We wanted it to feel light and bright, with an added level of indulgence. This was achieved with the choice of materials and by adding a skylight to draw in light.
What did you do?
While the homeowners were initially unsure how they wanted the space to look and feel, they did have one requirement – to create a larger and more functional bathroom.
We were able to achieve this by removing the corner spa bath and connecting wall, which allowed us to square off the bathroom.
This created space for a generous shower and an 1800-millimetre-wide vanity with plenty of storage space and two shaving cabinets above it.
While the homeowners were initially unsure how they wanted the space to look and feel, they did have one requirement – to create a larger and more functional bathroom.
We were able to achieve this by removing the corner spa bath and connecting wall, which allowed us to square off the bathroom.
This created space for a generous shower and an 1800-millimetre-wide vanity with plenty of storage space and two shaving cabinets above it.
Where did most of the AU$45,000 budget go?
It was split fairly evenly between fixtures, materials and construction.
Browse more images of Australian bathrooms featuring touches of green on Houzz
It was split fairly evenly between fixtures, materials and construction.
Browse more images of Australian bathrooms featuring touches of green on Houzz
What was your thinking behind the fixtures and finishes?
The fixtures and finishes selections were thoughtfully chosen to bring new life to the space while complementing the rest of the house.
The main focal point of this ensuite is the marble pill tiles with their pops of green, blue and pink.
A black vanity and shaving cabinets were incorporated to juxtapose the vibrancy of the tiles, and to add character to the space.
The fixtures and finishes selections were thoughtfully chosen to bring new life to the space while complementing the rest of the house.
The main focal point of this ensuite is the marble pill tiles with their pops of green, blue and pink.
A black vanity and shaving cabinets were incorporated to juxtapose the vibrancy of the tiles, and to add character to the space.
Key design aspects
Colour palette:
Soft blue, sage and pink, pale grey and black.
Colour palette:
Soft blue, sage and pink, pale grey and black.
Materials palette:
- Tile Republic Etna Moon 600 x 600-millimetre wall tiles.
- Tile Republic TicTax Mix Verdi stone mosaic feature tiles.
- Matt-finish basins.
Key fixtures/ fittings:
- Reece Kado Neue All Drawer 1800 millimetre vanity in matt black two-pack polyurethane joinery and an acrylic Bright White Cherry Pie Top vanity top.
- Reece Kado Neue Arch Mirrored shaving cabinets.
- Reece Venice 500-millimetre Semi-Inset solid surface basins.
- Reece Grohe Essence basin mixer tap in brushed nickel.
- Reece Mizu Drift twin-rail shower.
- Fat Shack Vintage Banff Sphere Wall Bracket Light.
- Velux skylight.
What challenges did you have to work around?
None really, apart from some delays caused by Covid-19. The renovation process was slower than usual with limited numbers of trades allowed on-site.
None really, apart from some delays caused by Covid-19. The renovation process was slower than usual with limited numbers of trades allowed on-site.
Why do you think this room works?
This room works due to the removal of the corner spa bath and wall, which creates a larger room, plus the new skylight filling the space with light.
Your turn
What is your favourite feature in this ensuite? 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: An Angular Ensuite Reworked for Efficiency
This room works due to the removal of the corner spa bath and wall, which creates a larger room, plus the new skylight filling the space with light.
Your turn
What is your favourite feature in this ensuite? 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: An Angular Ensuite Reworked for Efficiency
What are you working on?
Related Stories
Houzz Pro
Before & After: An Open-Plan Kitchen Goes from Boring to Boss
After scouting Houzz for designers, this couple found the right match in a local designer who transformed their space
Full Story
Houzz Around The World
Spain Garden Tour: A Mediterranean Makeover With Colour & Texture
Once neglected, this naturalistic garden is now a series of outdoor rooms with idyllic spots to swim, dine and relax
Full Story
Houzz Around The World
Berlin Houzz: A Touch of Japanese Forest Bathing in a German Home
Beloved memories of Japan come to life with the renovation of this 120-square-metre apartment in Berlin, Germany
Full Story
Renovating
Rural Houzz: A Reader's Forever Home, Inspired by Houzz
When designing a home on a challenging site for ageing-in-place, this reader turned to Houzz for inspiration and advice
Full Story
Bathrooms
Room of the Week: A Reader's Bathroom Inspired by Houzz
When you're planning a new bathroom, where do you look for ideas? Houzz, of course! See how this reader did it
Full Story
Project Of The Week
Before & After: A Light-Drenched Home in the Heart of Coogee
This breezy family home in one of Sydney's beachside suburbs is the essence of relaxed Australian coastal style
Full Story
Kitchens
Before & After: Personality Plus in a Light-Filled Family Kitchen
Natural materials, contemporary style and space for varied activities meet in this modern kitchen for a family of four
Full Story
Houzz Tours
Melbourne Houzz: A Terrace Near Ruin Gets a Second Chance
See how a derelict Victorian terrace in Melbourne was transformed into a luxurious and serene family home
Full Story
Houzz Tours
Melbourne Houzz: A Family's Dream Home, 20 Years in the Making
Timeless, sophisticated and a little bit industrial – this heritage-home renovation is nothing short of spectacular
Full Story
Project Of The Week
A Grand Federation Home Comes of Age for a Busy Young Family
See how a revamped layout, custom joinery and luxe touches transformed a dated heritage home in Sydney
Full Story
Hi, owner here - we absolutely love the new ensuite and everything ACT Renovations did. The new space is perfect, and there are so many things that we appreciate - the under tile floor heating is soooo good. Bella’s expertise in the design and selections really paid off. The marble pill shaped tiles are a beautiful artwork themselves that I admire every day - I always knew I wanted some colour, but nothing too extreme, and this colour palette is something we will love for a very long time. We also had the double vanity set a bit higher for us as we are both tall. The skylight is brilliant and does bring in a lovely light feel and has been designed to enhance the symmetry in the room - it aligns with the outer edges of the double vanity. The shower is a very generous size and the tap mixer location is completely fine - you don’t get wet when turning the shower on. We are so appreciative of ACT Renovations and their workmanship. They were super organised with a detailed schedule that we could access during the renovations via an app on the phone. 😊😊😊
Great to hear owners feedback.
And I love the tiles too. Is that called a hob with the feature tiles on top? A nice clean look with a bit of colour.