Before & After
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Before & After: Contemporary Cottage Vibes for a Family Bathroom
See how punchy chevron wall tiles and touches of brass and timber brought warmth to this newly updated family bathroom
In a Q&A format, we talk to the designers – and examine the creative thinking – behind some of Houzz’s most loveable rooms.
Before works.
What was your brief?
To create a functional and spacious family bathroom with a ‘contemporary cottage’ feel.
What is the home like?
A single-storey, mid-century weatherboard cottage with a 1970s rear extension.
Ready to breathe new life into your dated bathroom? Find a bathroom designer near you on Houzz
What was your brief?
To create a functional and spacious family bathroom with a ‘contemporary cottage’ feel.
What is the home like?
A single-storey, mid-century weatherboard cottage with a 1970s rear extension.
Ready to breathe new life into your dated bathroom? Find a bathroom designer near you on Houzz
What was the bathroom like originally?
Dark and smaller than it is now, with the shower over the tub and outdated finishes and fittings. It was also lacking in storage.
What was your starting point for the new design?
The patterned navy tile. I worked the rest of the design around that.
What look and feel did you want to create?
A fresh, spacious and easy-care bathroom that suits a family.
Dark and smaller than it is now, with the shower over the tub and outdated finishes and fittings. It was also lacking in storage.
What was your starting point for the new design?
The patterned navy tile. I worked the rest of the design around that.
What look and feel did you want to create?
A fresh, spacious and easy-care bathroom that suits a family.
Was this bathroom redesign part of a bigger project?
Yes, the project included a smaller second bathroom, a new kitchen, a built-in wardrobe in the main bedroom, new carpet and painting throughout, as well as whitewashing of the existing floorboards.
Was it important for this bathroom to blend with the style with the rest of house?
It’s always important to have a cohesive look and feel throughout a home. I achieved this by sticking to the same colour palette throughout of blue and white with pale timber, which gives this bathroom (and the of the home) a casual yet sophisticated feel.
Yes, the project included a smaller second bathroom, a new kitchen, a built-in wardrobe in the main bedroom, new carpet and painting throughout, as well as whitewashing of the existing floorboards.
Was it important for this bathroom to blend with the style with the rest of house?
It’s always important to have a cohesive look and feel throughout a home. I achieved this by sticking to the same colour palette throughout of blue and white with pale timber, which gives this bathroom (and the of the home) a casual yet sophisticated feel.
Before works.
What was your thinking behind the layout?
The existing location of the fixtures worked well with the vanity opposite the door and the toilet hidden behind it. However, I wanted to give the client a separate and spacious shower. We were able to achieve this by knocking out a wall to the adjoining storage cupboard and utilising that space for the new shower.
What was your thinking behind the layout?
The existing location of the fixtures worked well with the vanity opposite the door and the toilet hidden behind it. However, I wanted to give the client a separate and spacious shower. We were able to achieve this by knocking out a wall to the adjoining storage cupboard and utilising that space for the new shower.
Before works.
What are the main elements of the colour and materials palette?
Navy, white, oak and bronze.
Where did most of the AU$45,000 budget go?
On labour to reconfigure the bathroom and to create a walk-in linen cupboard.
What are the main elements of the colour and materials palette?
Navy, white, oak and bronze.
Where did most of the AU$45,000 budget go?
On labour to reconfigure the bathroom and to create a walk-in linen cupboard.
Where did you spend?
The patterned navy wall tiles, which we used on the walls and floor, and the brass tapware.
Where did you save?
The white wall tiles.
Browse more images of beautiful Australian bathrooms in blue on Houzz
The patterned navy wall tiles, which we used on the walls and floor, and the brass tapware.
Where did you save?
The white wall tiles.
Browse more images of beautiful Australian bathrooms in blue on Houzz
What challenges did you have to work around?
The main challenge was removing the wall and closing off a door into the adjoining store room. Also the lack of windows in the bathroom made light a challenge. We added three beautiful wall lights to solve this.
Why do you think this room works?
It functions well for a family, with ample space to move around, a separate shower and bath, and plenty of storage in the vanity. The tile pattern is also forgiving, making the bathroom low-maintenance for a family with young children.
The main challenge was removing the wall and closing off a door into the adjoining store room. Also the lack of windows in the bathroom made light a challenge. We added three beautiful wall lights to solve this.
Why do you think this room works?
It functions well for a family, with ample space to move around, a separate shower and bath, and plenty of storage in the vanity. The tile pattern is also forgiving, making the bathroom low-maintenance for a family with young children.
Materials palette
Your turn
What’s your favourite feature in this reworked bathroom? 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
Eagr to see another great bathroom renovation? Don’t miss this Before & After: A Small, Mouldy Ensuite Reborn on a $20K Budget
- Feature floor and wall tiles: Skheme Jolie Parquet Matt porcelain tile in Dark Blue.
- Solid blue tiles on hob: Skheme Joliie Dark Blue Matt porcelain tiles.
- White tiles on upper walls: Skheme Matt White rectified ceramic tiles.
- Timber trim (cut to size): Skheme Woodlot Oak Matt tiles.
- Vanity finished in Dulux Grey Pebble Satin Polyurethane.
- Tapware: Faucet Strommen Pegasi range in Antique Brass.
- Reece Kaldewei Classic Duo bath.
- Reece Roca Inspira Soft Vessel basin.
- LightCo Orb Quarter wall lights.
Your turn
What’s your favourite feature in this reworked bathroom? 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
Eagr to see another great bathroom renovation? Don’t miss this Before & After: A Small, Mouldy Ensuite Reborn on a $20K Budget
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Who lives here: A family with two young children
Location: Oatley, NSW
Room purpose and size: A main family bathroom measuring around 8 square metres
Budget: About AU$45,000
Interior designer: Maria Roussos at Schemes & Spaces
Builder: Urban Elevations
Joinery: Matjestic Kitchens & Joinery
How did you use Houzz for this project?
This client was a referral, but I suggested they use Houzz to really nail their likes and dislikes and provide us with something concrete to look at and discuss, especially during the first couple of meetings.