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Bubbles and Bath under the StarsMy indoor bathroom is 3mt X 3mt. Like so many homes, it has a shower, toilet, and vanity with no room for a bathtub in that space or elsewhere in the house. My dream has always been to have a bathtub sitting out under stars in our infinite universe, and to create an environment which invites tranquillity and quietness where one can truly unwind. Where better, than under a captivating night sky, where entrancing stars are ones only company.
Materials
Holman 90mm x 3m PVC Stormwater Pipes X3 and various bends and junctions
https://www.bunnings.com.au/holman-90mm-x-3m-pvc-stormwater-pipe_p4770094
Holman 40mm x 3m PVC DWV Pipes X3 and various bends and junctions
https://www.bunnings.com.au/holman-40mm-x-3m-pvc-dwv-pipe_p4770348
Pryda Post Anchor High Wind 600 x 100mm M12
https://www.bunnings.com.au/pryda-post-anchor-high-wind-600-x-100mm-m12_p1120003
100 x 75mm Fence Post Hardwood CCA 3.0m
https://www.bunnings.com.au/100-x-75mm-fence-post-hardwood-cca-3-0m_p0063204
Bastion 20kg Post Mix Concrete X 10 bags
https://www.bunnings.com.au/bastion-20kg-post-mix-concrete_p0760294
100 x 16mm Fence Paling H3 Treated Pine Wet 1.8m X 90 pieces
https://www.bunnings.com.au/100-x-16mm-fence-paling-h3-treated-pine-wet-1-8m_p0120832
Walpamur 10L Black Fence Finish
https://www.bunnings.com.au/walpamur-10l-black-fence-finish_p0680632
Matrix 2400 x 600mm Charcoal Coolabah Fence Extension X2
https://www.bunnings.com.au/matrix-2400-x-600mm-charcoal-coolabah-fence-extension_p0029255
Brighton Masonry 400 x 400 x 40mm Charcoal Mypave Paver X 16
https://www.bunnings.com.au/brighton-masonry-400-x-400-x-40mm-charcoal-mypave-paver_p3451588
Composite decking Greystone classic
Kembla 1/2" x 18m Annealed Copper Coil
https://www.bunnings.com.au/kembla-1-2-x-18m-annealed-copper-coil_p4910023
Brasshards 15C compress (various)
https://www.bunnings.com.au/search/products?page=1&q=Brasshards+15C+compress&sort=BoostOrder
1700mm White Modern Acrylic Freestanding Bathtub
Estilo WELS 3 Star 9L/min Chrome 3 Function Hand Shower Set
https://www.bunnings.com.au/estilo-wels-3-star-9l-min-chrome-3-function-hand-shower-set_p0663829
Shower Diverter Rumba Mondella Black/Chrome
https://www.bunnings.com.au/search/products?page=1&q=shower+diverter+Rumba+mondella&sort=BoostOrder
Mondella Chrome Rumba Waterfall Bath Spout
https://www.bunnings.com.au/mondella-chrome-rumba-waterfall-bath-spout_p5004250
Carinya 300 x 300mm White Heavy Duty Straight Stayed Bracket
https://www.bunnings.com.au/carinya-300-x-300mm-white-heavy-duty-straight-stayed-bracket_p2760358
String of 500 warm Fairy Lights
Stainless steel balustrade wire
Tools
Ryobi Sliding mitre saw,
Bosch Circular saw,
Ryobi belt sander,
Bosch angle grinder,
Bosch drill,
Hole cutter,
Spirit level,
Shovel,
Paint roller, brushes,
Mallot
Copper pipe cutter
Spanners,
clamps,
sawhorses,
ladder,
wheelbarrow.
Steps
Step 1
First step, clear out all the plants and bushes in the garden area where the freestanding bathtub is going to sit. Next, remove the shade cloth across the bottom part of the timber trellis and attached to each side of the existing posts. Take down and remove the old timber trellis and very carefully untangle the Jasmine vine, preserving as much of it as possible. Using a hammer, chisel, and renovator tool to carefully take apart the trellis and freeing more of the Jasmine vine and laying out the vine along the ground. Replace the dry rotted timber posts with new timber posts, making sure the distance of the new posts falls within the length of the Matrix screen 2400mm. Concreted in new post anchors, and once the concrete had set, secure new posts into place with bolts, and checked they are level. Next the new Matrix screen goes up between the 2 new posts and a second Screen Matrix standing upright went between the space of the far post and house for privacy. The Jasmine vine was carefully taken back up and over the Matrix screen as well as laid back over the framework of the existing gazebo roof which sits in the space between the outdoor shower and new matrix screen and posts. Recycling a round metal light fixture, taking out the original light and in its place, using a string of 500 warm outdoor fairy lights. I attached the light ball using stainless steel balustrade wire and feeding that through the top holes of a heavy-duty bracket and attaching the bracket onto the post.
Step 2
Second step, water drainage pipes from the outdoor shower had to be dug up and re-laid as the 90mm pipe ran under the space of the new bathtub. Once these drainage pipes were moved further over to one side and extended to further drain into the back gardens, time for the next step.
Step 3
Third step, level the ground for the bathtub area and lay the pavers making sure that the drainage pipes from the bathtub had space between the pavers that the bathtub will sit on. The bathtub drainage pipe also extends into the back garden and is connected into the 90mm drainage pipe which extends a total length of 9meters into the back gardens. Holes have been drilled every 50mm into the bottom half of 6 meters of the drainage pipes and are dug between 600mm-700mm deep into the ground for both the water from the shower and bathtub to drain out along the back garden area.
I ended up switching from having used 200mm x 400mm terracotta pavers to using 400mm x 400mm pavers, as the bathtub in addition to its acrylic base, has six adjustable legs and it took a bit of moving pavers to make sure the legs were not sitting on top of the space where pavers sit next to each other. The larger pavers worked much better. I had placed the bathtub on large pieces of cardboard to easily move it in and out of its place and save the bathtub from direct contact with the pavers. Once the bathtub was in place for good, it was easy to lift the bathtub up from each end and pull out the cardboard from underneath the bathtub. Next step, to attach the drain stopper in the bathtub and to the 40mm drainpipe draining out into the back garden.
Step 4
Fourth step, laying out the copper pipe plumbing. First, I used a piece of an old packing board to stand upright where the bathtub plumbing and composite decking board is going to sit. I measured out the length of all the copper plumbing pipes needed from the bathtub to where the copper pipes would join into my existing plumbing. Using various 15mm brass fittings, (elbows, tee, threaders) I connected all the copper pipe laid out, making sure to only loosely tighten all fittings.
Step 5
Fifth step, measuring out the length of the composite decking board to which both the copper pipes and shower diverter, waterfall spout and shower head are going to be attached too. I laid out on the board where the shower diverter, waterfall spout and shower head were going to sit, incorporating 2 smaller pieces of the decking board, creating an L shape on each side of the main decking board making sure the side boards sat across the width of the main board. To attach these, I cut away half the depth of each of the 3 boards (2 side arms and main board) to the width of 137mm, (width of decking board) away using a circular saw and then the renovator tool to smooth it all out. Using both liquid nails and screws to then join each side arm piece to the main decking board making sure both side arms sit level with the main decking board. Next, attaching a hole saw bit to the drill, I drilled the appropriate size holes into the main board for the shower diverter and on each side arm for the waterfall spout and hand shower set to attach to the plumbing.
Step 6
Sixth step concreting the composite decking board 1/3 of its total length into the ground just behind the bathtub. When the concrete had set, the shower diverter, spout, and hand shower were inserted through the holes on the decking board and copper pipe joined to the diverter and tap ware and laid along the decking board up too where the new copper pipe would join into the existing pipes and time to call the plumber and get him to check over all the plumbing and laid-out copper piping and connect it all into the existing plumbing and test for any leaks. As well as have the plumber check all the water drainage pipes laid in the ground and have him glue the pipes together where needed.
Hello @Carmen1
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us.
This outdoor bathroom is a beautifully realised expression of serenity and imagination. The placement of the freestanding bathtub amidst lush greenery and under a canopy of ambient lighting creates an atmosphere that is both luxurious and deeply personal. The thoughtful integration of soft illumination and natural textures enhances the overall sense of escape, transforming this space into a truly enchanting retreat.
Thank you for sharing this fantastic project.
Eric
