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The project:
I transformed an outdated bathroom with an unusable shower into a light-filled, character-rich space that honours the traditional character of the home. I incorporated reclaimed sash windows with arched privacy detailing, a pressed tin feature wall and a modern layout featuring a central arched shower, freestanding bath and teak timber vanity with a fluted basin. Brushed gold fixtures, arched details and glass pendant lighting create a timeless design that flows throughout the home.
- Materials:
Main materials
- Floor and wall tiles
- Pressed tin panels
- Sash windows
- Freestanding bath
- Arched frameless shower screen
- Toilet
Fixtures, fittings and hardware
- Gold tapware and shower fixtures
- Brushed gold waste grate
- Linear shower waste
- Gold-framed arched shaving cabinet
- Glass pendant lights
- Gold towel rails and bathroom accessories
- Gold soap holder
- Gold door handles
- Gold brackets for timber shelf
- Gold shaving cabinet light
Installation materials and finishes
Custom details
- Teak timber piece transformed into a custom bathroom vanity, sanded and finished with Feast Watson Hard Wax Oil, with custom gold handles added
- Handmade ash timber shelf with curved arched profile, created from ash timber sourced during the kitchen renovation, finished with Feast Watson Hard Wax Oil and installed with gold brackets
- Custom arched privacy detailing created using Bunnings frosted window film/contact applied to sash windows.
- Tools:
Measuring and layout
Removal and preparation
Cutting and installation
Plastering and finishing
Tiling tools
Painting tools
General hand tools
Safety equipment
- Step 1:
Preparing the bathroom for transformation
I removed the outdated bathroom elements and prepared the space for a complete transformation, replacing the tired and impractical room with a design focused on functionality, character and timeless finishes.
- Step 2:
Restoring character with sash windows and early design features
I incorporated sash windows into the bathroom design, restoring and painting them before adding custom arched frosted privacy detailing. This allowed natural light into the space while providing privacy and creating a feature that complemented the repeated arch details throughout the home. During this stage, the glass pendant lights were installed by a licensed electrician, beginning to define the bathroom's warm and timeless character.
- Step 3:
Introducing feature elements and preparing the space
I prepared the bathroom surfaces for the new finishes and introduced key design elements, including the pressed tin feature wall, adding texture and reinforcing the traditional character of the home.
- Step 4:
Installing the tiled finishes
I installed the floor and wall tiles throughout the bathroom, creating a consistent off-white foundation that allowed the timber, gold fixtures and feature details to stand out. I completed the grouting and finishing details to prepare the room for the final fixtures and fittings.
- Step 5:
Creating and finishing the custom vanity feature
I modified a teak timber piece to create a custom bathroom vanity, sanding and applying Feast Watson hard wax oil to enhance and protect the timber. I completed the design with custom gold handles, creating a warm timber feature that complemented the fluted basin, gold fixtures and traditional details throughout the room.
- Step 6:
Completing the bathroom fixtures and final decorative details
The bathroom fixtures, including the freestanding bath, toilet, basin and shower fittings, were installed by licensed trades as part of the completed renovation. I then installed the finishing details, including the gold towel rails, soap holder, door handles, shaving cabinet and a handmade timber shelf with gold brackets.
I created the shelf from ash timber sourced during the kitchen renovation, cutting the curved arched profile with a jigsaw, sanding it back and applying Feast Watson hard wax oil to enhance and protect the timber before installing it with gold brackets. The arched design was intentionally created to complement the repeated curved details throughout the bathroom and the wider home. I completed the final silicone sealing and finishing touches.
- Step 7:
Final design elements
I completed the remaining decorative details, bringing together the white finishes, timber, arches, fluted textures and brushed gold accents that became the signature style throughout the home.
- Step 8:
Styling the completed bathroom
I styled the finished space to highlight the balance between traditional character and modern functionality. The bathroom was designed to complement the other bathrooms throughout the home, using a cohesive palette of white finishes, timber, arches, fluted details, pendant lighting and brushed gold accents, while allowing each space its own individual character.
