Room of the Week: Grey and White Done Right in a Bathroom Reno
Layering marble tiles in different shapes and sizes gives this teen bathroom-turned-powder-room depth and elegance
Georgia Madden
20 May 2019
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 Tanya Zouev Photography
Answers by Anna Shannon at ASPEN Hydraulics Design
Who lives here: A couple with two children and a spoodle
Location: Fairlight, NSW
Room purpose: A main bathroom for the home’s two teenagers to use, but it also doubles as a powder room for guests
Room size: Approximately 6.6 square metres
Budget: Approximately $40,000
Builder: James Mangleson at JSM Construction
Answers by Anna Shannon at ASPEN Hydraulics Design
Who lives here: A couple with two children and a spoodle
Location: Fairlight, NSW
Room purpose: A main bathroom for the home’s two teenagers to use, but it also doubles as a powder room for guests
Room size: Approximately 6.6 square metres
Budget: Approximately $40,000
Builder: James Mangleson at JSM Construction
Brief
The clients wanted to give this bathroom a chic beachside feel with an industrial edge.
As it needed to double as a teenagers’ bathroom and a powder room, functionality was key. This led to the floor plan being designed in accordance with The Liveable Housing Australia Design Guidelines (which focus on designing versatile homes that meet the changing needs of occupants as they grow older).
The clients wanted to give this bathroom a chic beachside feel with an industrial edge.
As it needed to double as a teenagers’ bathroom and a powder room, functionality was key. This led to the floor plan being designed in accordance with The Liveable Housing Australia Design Guidelines (which focus on designing versatile homes that meet the changing needs of occupants as they grow older).
The rectangular shape of the bathroom lends itself to being separated into ‘wet’ and ‘dry’ areas.
Different tiles were used to delineate the wet and dry zones of this bathroom; marble subway tiles in the bath/shower area and hexagonal mosaics on the floor in the dry area. Having them in similar tones of grey creates a sense of flow between these two zones.
Starting point
The room was completely gutted and rebuilt, so we had a clean canvas to work with. The decision to use marble in this bathroom was the starting point. The beautiful Brodware tap fixtures also helped inspire this design.
The clients’ original idea – which I wholeheartedly agreed with – was to make the window behind the bathtub full length. But there was a water tank visible outside, so we were unable to do this.
Starting point
The room was completely gutted and rebuilt, so we had a clean canvas to work with. The decision to use marble in this bathroom was the starting point. The beautiful Brodware tap fixtures also helped inspire this design.
The clients’ original idea – which I wholeheartedly agreed with – was to make the window behind the bathtub full length. But there was a water tank visible outside, so we were unable to do this.
The splashback tiles look like pressed tin, but they’re actually textured ceramic wall tiles. The designer used matching white grout for a seamless look.
Colour palette
Black, white and grey.
Challenges you worked around
Finding a bathtub that the clients loved without a $15,000 price tag.
Colour palette
Black, white and grey.
Challenges you worked around
Finding a bathtub that the clients loved without a $15,000 price tag.
The clients hand-picked the piece of marble for this vanity’s benchtop. Marble adds to the room’s sophisticated feel and is carried through in other parts of the home.
Tell us about the gorgeous tiles you’ve used here
I am obsessed with tiles and grout, and how playing with texture and pattern allows you to create a space that’s both functional and beautiful. I particularly love mixing tiles in different textures in a neutral or similar colour tone, sometimes with a contrasting grout. Grout comes in every colour imaginable, even glitter, and can really transform the appearance of tiles.
Tell us about the gorgeous tiles you’ve used here
I am obsessed with tiles and grout, and how playing with texture and pattern allows you to create a space that’s both functional and beautiful. I particularly love mixing tiles in different textures in a neutral or similar colour tone, sometimes with a contrasting grout. Grout comes in every colour imaginable, even glitter, and can really transform the appearance of tiles.
Key pieces of furniture/fittings
Materials palette
- Brodware taps.
- Forme Apollo bathtub from Harvey Norman Commercial.
- Villeroy & Boch basin and toilet from Just Bathroomware.
- HydroTherm towel rail from Just Bathroomware.
- Sparseglass Fences frameless glass shower screen.
- Custom-made vanity by Creative Projx.
- The pendant light was purchased by the client in Bali. Its eclectic feel really adds character and personality to the room.
Materials palette
- Marble subway tiles, marble hexagonal mosaic floor tiles and white ceramic wall tiles all from ColorTile.
- Custom-made marble benchtop from Set in Stone.
Why do you think this room works?
Like any room, it works well when it feels right and you can imagine yourself living with it for years to come.
Every time I showed my clients something in this bathroom design, I would ask the same questions – can you live with it? Will it be pleasing for you to look at for the next 10, 15 or 20 years?
Your turn
Do you love this bathroom as much as we do? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images and join the conversation.
More
Craving more renovation inspiration? Check out last week’s Room of the Week: An Apartment Kitchen Gets a Sensational Re-Fit
Like any room, it works well when it feels right and you can imagine yourself living with it for years to come.
Every time I showed my clients something in this bathroom design, I would ask the same questions – can you live with it? Will it be pleasing for you to look at for the next 10, 15 or 20 years?
Your turn
Do you love this bathroom as much as we do? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images and join the conversation.
More
Craving more renovation inspiration? Check out last week’s Room of the Week: An Apartment Kitchen Gets a Sensational Re-Fit
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thinking of doing the same thing with open shower bath area, does anyone have any experience living with this, and is it that much harder to clean?
Great job! The use of the white plantation shutters is perfect. A hygienic window furnishing solution for wet areas and very easy to clean (just a dust or a wipe down). Well done guys
-RPShutters
www.riverinaplantationshutters.com.au
No one can see behind the bath anyway hahaha