Kids studio retreat and guest room

cam_bubb

🖼️

The project:

The goal of this project was to create the ultimate sleek, modern kids studio retreat / guest room within a recently constructed colorbond shed.

Although we had professional trades construct the shed and bathroom inside which also utilised products from Bunnings warehouse, we set ourselves the task to fit out the remainder of the usable space inside.

Creating this separate zone for the kids gaming and activities away from the house frees up space inside the home yet still offers the comforts and amenities expected for use as a guest room.

We hope our project inspires yours, remember… it all starts with an idea!

- Materials:

Permatimber castellated panelling: https://www.bunnings.com.au/quickboard-210-x-21mm-2-7m-tas-oak-castellated-pvc-composite-timber-wall-and-ceiling-lining-board-2-pack-tasmanian-oak-2-7m_p0509710

Hanwood hybrid flooring: https://www.bunnings.com.au/hanwood-design-6mm-2-23m-natural-concrete-hybrid-waterproof-tiles_p0144295

Ceiling fan: https://www.bunnings.com.au/mercator-52-black-pegasus-dc-fan-with-uplight_p0850503

Toilet: https://www.bunnings.com.au/mondella-signature-white-rimless-back-to-wall-toilet-suite_p4823018

Black basin mixer: https://www.bunnings.com.au/mondella-resonance-35mm-matte-black-pin-lever-basin-mixer_p0684030

Black shower head:
https://www.bunnings.com.au/mondella-matte-black-resonance-exposed-shower-on-rail-with-hand-set_p5004266

Black shower mixer: https://www.bunnings.com.au/mondella-resonance-35mm-matte-black-pin-lever-shower-mixer_p0684143

Black toilet roll holder: https://www.bunnings.com.au/mondella-matte-black-resonance-double-toilet-roll-holder_p0115749

Black spray paints for exposed beam:

https://www.bunnings.com.au/dy-mark-325g-metalpro-black-etch-primer_p0336518

https://www.bunnings.com.au/dy-mark-300g-black-satin-metalpro-quick-dry-black_p0222021

Wall & ceiling paints:

https://www.bunnings.com.au/dulux-4l-blue-low-sheen-wash-wear-interior-paint_p0638837

https://www.bunnings.com.au/dulux-4l-1step-prep-primer-sealer-undercoat_p1370234

https://www.bunnings.com.au/dulux-4l-white-ceiling-paint_p1370215

https://www.bunnings.com.au/dulux-4l-aquanamel-high-gloss-white-enamel-paint-4l_p1400044

Skirting & Architraves: https://www.bunnings.com.au/92-x-18mm-5-4m-white-moulding-pine-fj-primed-half-splayed_p0020765

3D printer work station: https://www.bunnings.com.au/pinnacle-1405-x-1100-x-540mm-black-workbench-with-peg-board_p0762051

plaster jointing compound: https://www.bunnings.com.au/gyprock-csr-15kg-easy-flow-all-purpose-compound_p0735702

https://www.bunnings.com.au/bastion-5-2kg-stud-adhesive_p0475679

Steel battens for walls & ceiling:

https://www.bunnings.com.au/siniat-22-x-6100mm-0-42bmt-cyclonic-batten_p1091204

Insulation: https://www.bunnings.com.au/earthwool-r2-0hd-wall-batt-75mm-x-580mm-x-1160mm-13-46m-20-pack_p0810593

Bluestone pavers: https://www.bunnings.com.au/tuscan-path-400-600mm-bluestone-stepping-stone_p0280562

- Tools:

Cordless drill, cordless impact driver, quick grip clamps, spirit levels, ladder, step ladder, sliding compound mitre saw, jigsaw, circular saw, angle grinder, blower, orbital sander, workshop vacuum, tape measure, square, hammer, rubber mallet, hole saws, Stanley knife, brushes & rollers, pencil.

- Step 1:

Step 1. 

Battening out the walls & ceiling.

The first step was a trip to Bunnings warehouse to pick up some steel battens for the walls & ceiling, we decided on steel battens due to the quantity needed, strength, low profile & workability.

These were space out at 450mm centres using a quick grip clamp to hold in place while checking for level & plumb then fixed off using suitable fixings.

- Step 2:

Step2.

Next step was to insulate all of the wall and ceiling cavities using Earthwool insulation.

This was measured with a tape measure then cut with a Stanley knife and straight edge using an old board underneath to ensure the blade stayed sharp.

- Step 3:

Step 3.

We then sheeted the walls & ceiling with plaster board,set the joins, then sanded ready for paint.

We applied daubs of stud adhesive to the battens then screwed the plaster sheets with suitable fixings using an impact driver on a low setting so that the screw head is only slightly below the plaster surface.

The joins were set with jointing compound & paper tape, a light sand once dry, and further coats of compound applied overlapping the previous to reduce visibility of the join.

Once complete, the joins & fixing points were gently sanded smooth with an orbital sander and a workshop vacuum used to clean up.

- Step 4:

Step 4.

Once the plaster work was complete it was time for undercoat, we used Dulux 1 step prep, which was applied using brushes, a roller and extension handle.

- Step 5:

Step 5. 

Next job was to install hybrid floor tiles, 

We decided to used the Hanwood concrete look hybrid floor tiles which we special ordered from Bunnings. 

These were easy to install with great workability using standard woodworking tools, straight cuts were made on the sliding compound mitre saw with any notches cut out using a jigsaw.

Although the patterns differ on each tile, we found it was best to pick and choose tiles from multiple boxes allowing a better spread of shades and patterns.

The required expansion gap was left around the perimeter which would later be hidden with skirting boards.

- Step 6:

Step 6. 

Installing the Castellated wall panelling was by far one of my favourite steps in this project. 

This was done by taking an accurate measurement from the floor to the ceiling and cutting the castellated panel to size on the saw, the first panel was scribed to the side wall checked for plumb with a spirit level and then fixed off at the top, middle and bottom using the concealed fixings included.

The process was repeated for each panel with insulation being installed behind the panels as they were installed.

Accurate measurements were taken for electrical cables and holes were made in the panels with a drill and hole saw 

The castellated wall was approximately 6.5m long and we also did the 2.0m long exterior patio wall the same way.

- Step 7:

Step 7.

We decided to Paint the exposed structural beam black to match the ceiling fan we picked, this was achieved by taping up the surrounding walls, floor, ceiling & wall panelling with painters tape and paper.

First coat was black etch primer, followed by 2 coats of black in a satin finish to match other fixtures.

- Step 8:

Step 8.

Skirting boards were cut and installed by screwing through the plasterboard and fixing into the steel battens using suitable screws, the screw heads were bogged and sanded flat.

The architraves were then cut and nailed to the reveals with the mitres glued & nailed using a Paslode nail gun.

All nail holes were filled and sanded flat and these were finished in 2 coats of Dulux Aquanamel gloss.

- Step 9:

Step 9.

Time for finishing touches & furniture. Finish paint was applied to the walls, Dulux “Forest Splendour” was our pick for the large wall, and Dulux “Vivid White” used on the end walls both in a low sheen finish. 

A bright coloured lounge was added that folds down onto the floor as a king size bed, great for kids sleepovers or guests.

The 75 inch TV is right at home on the panelled wall with a simple entertainment unit underneath to house the kids gaming consoles.

A sturdy pinnacle garage workbench was assembled and used as a workstation for our son’s 3D printer.

We surprised our boys with a retro style “Buck Hunter” arcade game which is a fun addition to finish the internal space.

The panelled wall has ample space to add pictures, artworks and decor over the coming years.

- Step 10:

Step 10. 

The final step was to set some beautiful big irregular 400-600mm bluestone stepping stones along the path to the retreat.
These were positioned out dry first to decide on the best spacing & set out.
Once happy with the positioning we set these down on a thick bed of sand & cement in a 5:1 ratio (5 parts sand to 1 part cement) mixed with water to a nice consistency.
A rubber mallet and spirit level were used to level the step stones then a small trowel used around the edges followed by a wet sponge for a neat finish allowing the river stones to come right to edges of the step stones.
An outdoor rug was used on the patio area  to add a bit of colour.
 I hope our project inspires yours, remember… it all starts with an idea!

Gerber

@cam_bubb thats very tidy! Good to see u getting the kids involved.