“Please contact me if you would like a consultation or further information about any of the products you see here at Decorum.”Bathrooms
Building a new bathroom
We have been back in our renovated Californian Bungalow now for 4 months. And as we still chip away at our “To Do List”, I am excited to finally reveal the main bathroom.
We bought our house 10 years ago and inherited a second bathroom with the house. It was a very small tiny bathroom with no room to move. It had a toilet, washbasin and shower.
As it was in the fibro extension that had been added to the house in the ’70′s, (yes that meant asbestos and care and cost to remove it) it was going to be removed completely and a new and improved bathroom would be added.
The new bathroom was built on the same footprint as the old guest bedroom. You have no idea how many times I paced out that room and tried to imagine myself in a bathroom.
Would it be big enough? The guest bedroom wasn’t that spacious with no built-ins and just enough room to move around the queen bed. It only had one bedside due to space being at a premium. Oh dear, was I doing the right thing or should I make it bigger?
After many months of demolition, excavation and rebuilding, the bathroom was starting to take shape. We had crimped a bit of extra floor space by building a bay window and sitting the bath in that.
I opted for opaque glass in the windows as although the window looks out to a private garden, it’s still reassuring to know that there is no chance of anyone peering in. Also the bay window was at right angles which makes it very tricky to add window coverings unless it’s shutters. I must admit I was a bit disappointed when they first went in. I was not listening to the advice I give my interior design clients, that is – wait until everything is finished and then you will see that it all works together.
I had spent months agonising over floor tiles, wall tiles, paint colours and feature tiles. It’s really hard doing your own place when you have been exposed to so much and your head is full of possiblities.
So, once again, I tried to take the advice I dish out. What feeling would you like when you use the room? That was easy, I wanted it to be a bright space with loads of light yet I wanted to feel calm and relaxed when I was there. A touch of luxury and femininity seeing my daughter would be the main occupant and I might sneak in there occasionally for a bath.(Must get around to doing that!) That set me on the right path and I was able to make the selections relatively easily.
I’m so happy with the end result.
The feature tiles add a touch of glamour while the white wall tiles and bay window makes the room very light. And surprise, surprise, when everything was in place the windows look just perfect.
If you would like assistance with bathroom design or sourcing fixtures and fittings, contact me for an online or in-person consultation.
Grout should not be ignored
Renovating a bathroom or kitchen? Chosen all your tiles? What a releif, you can now sit back and let the tiler do his thing. Wrong!
Once you’ve chosen your tiles the next thing you need to choose is the colour of the grout. Don’t leave it to the tiler as you will probably end up with white or grey. The grout needs to support the tiles not detract from them. No-one wants to make a feature of the grout! Unless you’re really making a statement like this image below.
When we renovated I had definite ideas about how the tiles would look once grouted. The large format tiles in the bathroom were rectified which means they have square edges. I wanted the walls to look seamless and the rectified tiles can be placed close together so choosing a white grout assisted with the overall look.
In the ensuite, we used natural stone tiles on the walls and floor so I chose a cream grout there to match the filling in the travertine.
The black marble mosaic splashback in the powder room needed a dark grout as anything lighter would make the space look too busy. I already had a wallpaper above the splashback and that was the main feature of the room. The splashback needed to enhance the wallpaper and save it from water splashes but didn’t need to be a feature in itself.
The kitchen was tricky. I was using white subway tiles. The kitchen has a nod to French provincial style without the fuss so I wanted the tiles to stand out but I didn’t want the industrial look like the kitchen below.
White grout would’ve blended with the tiles and dark grout would give that industrial look, sort of like a butcher’s shop. So I selected a pale grey grout. The cabinetry is grey and the bench top is also a grey – Stone Italiana KSoul. The grey grout sets off the whole kitchen perfectly.
So don’t think once you’ve chosen your tiles your decisions are over. Think about the overall look you’d like, take some time and choose the colour of your grout wisely. Like everything else, the options are endless but will make a big difference to your finished home.
All images can be found on my Pinterest boards.
If you would like assistance choosing tiles and grout for your home, contact us for an online or in-person consultation.
Odds and Ends
And another week begins!
Last week was a busy one as we move closer to Christmas and start to get to the pointy end of our own home renovation.
Lock Up
I spent the week in the car, or so it seemed. Not doing anything terribly exciting and collecting all the necessary bits that are essential for the home. It’s all those things that seem to just appear but are very important and need to be selected, ordered and installed.
Still building
Like window hardware. The windows were all put in at the house over the last two weeks so then I had to choose latches, fitches and lifts.
Teardrop Window Locks
We have a mixture of double hung and casement windows so I had to make sure I had the right hardware for each window. Not very exciting, but very necessary!
Sash Lifts
Door hardware was selected last week too. But door handles are only a minor part of door hardware.
Door Handles
You also need to consider door stops, whether you need privacy locks and roller latches for french doors.
Door Stops
Thank goodness for the knowledgable staff at Mother of Pearl & Sons who know exactly what you need.
Privacy Sets
I took in my list of doors and what I needed on each door and they carefully went through all the components.
Not very exciting essentials
And, I took delivery of taps and other fittings for the bathroom and laundry.
Washing Machine Tap Set
I love the Smart Tile to use in the floor of the bathrooms. The end result is a streamlined floor.
Floor Grate
One exciting trip I did have, was to collect all my pretty light fittings.
Carload of light fittings
We’re using LED downlights throughout the hallways and family living areas but adding a selection of wall lights and feature pendants.
LED Downlights
I just can’t wait to get them all installed.
Ensuite Wall light
Enjoy your week, and remember, if you need assistance selecting all the odds and ends for your home renovation, contact us for an online or in-person consultation.
Bathroom Shaping Up
It’s been all systems go at the renovation of our Californian Bungalow in Sydney.
Architect’s drawings
The roofers were there last week and have finished tiling the roof. We asked that the old tiles, which were removed from the parts we demolished, be kept and put on the new addition which can be seen from the street. This makes the new bit blend in with the old. We really want the place to look like it was always like that so are trying to follow through with the period style fittings where practicable. Like the skirting boards, cornices and window hardware.
Original skirting boards and window architraves
The windows are in and the brickies have been busy bricking up the outside walls. The skylights have been put in too so you can really get a feel for what the place will be like when finished.
Bathroom windows – translucent for privacy
One of the new additions to the house is a full sized bathroom. It is located in the same position and is the same size as the old guest bedroom.
Old guest bedroom
The architects designed it with a bay window where the bath will sit. This bay is to replicate the bay window at the front of the house in the dining room.
Transition of the old house and new extension
Now that it’s built, we can see how clever this little touch is. It breaks the line between the old and the new part of the house so any change in materials or way of building (between 1920 and 2012) is not so noticeable.
On the inside, the bathroom has been framed up ready for the drop in oval bath to sit in the window and the nib walls enclosing the vanity are in place too.
Bath frame ready for drop in oval bath
So now I’m ordering tiles, light fittings and bathroomware and trying to heed my own advice! I’ve spent ages trying to decide on which tiles and have abandoned all the choices I made 6 years ago when we had the plans drawn up.
Final tile and paint selection
Of course my daughter is 6 years older now and naturally has her own opinions on how it should look and what she would like. As she will be the main person using that room I guess I have to at least listen to her requests.
Nib walls built to house the vanity
No matter what it looks like, it will be a vast improvement on the minute bathroom we used to have at this end of the house.
Good riddance old bathroom
If you would like assistance with your bathroom renovation, contact us for an online or in-person consultation.
Bathroom Stats
This past week I’ve been choosing all the bathroom fittings and fixtures for our home renovation. I’ve helped many clients design and/or remodel their bathrooms in the past so I pretty much knew what I wanted.
But I’ve still been going over and over all my choices, just incase there was something I hadn’t considered, that may be better. Agonising stuff! I’m usually pretty good at decisions but there’s alot riding on this renovation.
So, I bought the Australian House and Garden Bathroom Lookbook. It has a gorgeous bathroom on the front cover by the very talented (and very humorous) Camilla Molders.
I loved reading all the stats on bathrooms that was included in the back of the book.
Did you know?
1 is the average number of months it takes an architect to complete a bathroom renovation.
1.7 is the average number of bathrooms in an Australian home.
20 metres is the maximum distance you should have between your hot-water system and bathroom outlets.
14,500 is the number of litres of water saved per year in an average home by installing a water-efficient showerhead.
89 is the number of 300mm square sheets of mosaic tiles you’ll need to cover an average wall measuring 2.7metres square.
18 years is the lifespan of the average bathroom.
600mm x 300mm is the most popular choice for wall tiles and 450mm x 450mm for floors.
20mm is the recommended step-down in the shower area of a wet room to prevent water seeping onto other parts of the floor.
500mm is the recommended depth for a bathroom benchtop.
4 is about how many hours you’ll need to wait for the tile grout to dry.
and
$18,500 is the cost of the average bathroom renovation.
If you would like assistance with your bathroom renovation, contact us for an online or in-person consultation. Or for more bathroom inspiration, visit my Pinterest Bathroom Board.
**All bathrooms designed by Inside Out Colour and Design and photographed by Lyn Johnston Photography***
Calling all bathroom renovators
Aeria Country Floors is holding it’s Annual Warehouse Sale starting today with up to 70% off!
Travertine Quarry
If you are renovating or remodelling and looking for tiles or mosaics then you shouldn’t miss this one.
Travertine Bathroom Tiles on Floor and Walls
Aeria is well known for their great selection of fine quality, fully imported natural stone tiles and slabs as well as stone sinks and Antique and Ceramic Accessories.
Luxurious bathroom with natural stone tiles and timber vanity
Natural stone bathrooms are still very popular giving a luxurious retreat feeling to a bathroom.
Natural Stone Basin
The sale is for 5 days only at the Sydney Warehouse, 2 Aquatic Drive, Frenchs Forest between 8.30am and 3.30pm starting today. Don’t forget to take your quantities with you.
White Ceramic Pitchers
If you would like assistance in creating a luxurious bathroom in your home, contact us for an online or in-person consultation.
Love Rules
With Valentine’s Day tomorrow, it’s time to look at a few items for your Love Shack.
Heart Shaped Truffles
When looking to inject some romance into your interior, go no further than the colour Pink. Red is for passion but pink is for romance. Because of its soft, cosy and romantic nature, pink is perfect for the bedroom. It makes the skin glow and what better place to make use of those flattering reflections?
Pink Bedroom
Putting some romance into your home can also be achieved by pairing things together. In the bathroom, if you have the space, instal twin basins in the vanity. This allows for two people to use the bathroom at the same time and also makes sure your toothpaste doesn’t get mixed up with your partner’s shaving cream!
Twin Vanity
A double shower is another luxury that can be installed if space permits. This is a great time to use different shower heads in each shower so you have the choice of a rain shower or a standard shower.
Double Shower
You could always add a little two seater sofa into the lounge room. This little piece from Jardan would suit any decor.
Loveseat by Jardan
Or you could recover an existing chair in heart fabric.
Heart fabric covered chair
Matching His and Hers sunlounges around the pool or on the patio make a great place to sit and relax and read the Sunday papers.
His and Hers Sunlounges
So once you’ve redecorated to create your cosy little shack, don’t forget to fill the table with candles and flowers and indulge in a romantic dinner for two.
Dinner for Two
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Click on images to be taken to their source.
If you would like assistance creating your Love Shack, contact us for an online or in-person consultation.
The Wash Up
Remember at the beginning of the week I was racing off to check out a bathroom we’d been working on?
Ensuite ready to be tiled
It looked fabulous and the client is so happy with the extra room they now have.
Shower area in esuite ready for tiling
You see, there was a spare bedroom next to the master bedroom that had become the family dump-all. We all have those, right? And next to that was a long walk in linen closet.
Floor plan of proposed alterations
As you can see, the spare bedroom was home to drum kits, extra clothes, bench press and husband’s paraphenalia.
Spare Bedroom Before
So we decided to convert the two areas into a walk-in wardrobe and ensuite bathroom. This involved knocking holes in walls, relocating the access door to the master bedroom and creating a new linen cupboard.
New walk in wardrobe
Then, seeing we were giving the home an ensuite, we decided the existing upstairs bathroom needed updating too.
New Ensuite
Ensuite Shower
The shower was under the window, which wasn’t ideal, so we moved things around and gave the room a more streamlined look by getting rid of the feature tiles and installing a frameless shower screen.
Bathroom Before
Bathroom Before
New Bathroom
New bathroom vanity
The family home has a separate toilet next to the bathroom so we updated it with a back-to-wall suite and lay new tiles the same as in the bathroom.
New toilet
The end result is a better use of space for this family as well as giving everything a fresh new look.
If you would like assistance with your family home renovation, contact us for an online or in-person consultation.
Bathroom Niches
Morning!
Just racing out the door to visit a client who has finally finished their second floor alterations. We changed a bedroom to a dressing room and ensuite, gave the original bathroom a makeover and had new carpet laid.
One thing I love in a bathroom is a bit of display space. A niche where you can display lovely bottles of perfume or some fluffy towels just seems to soften the room that is usually full of hard surfaces.
What about you? Do you like open shelving or do all those dust collectors bother you?
If you would like assistance creating a new look for your bathroom, contact us for an online or in-person consultation.
PS. I’m afraid I have had these in my folder of tear sheets for ages and so have no idea where they are from. Most likely, I’ve ripped them out of House and Garden, Home Beautiful, Inside Out or Queensland Homes magazines over the last 10 years. I do apologise.
Cool Things
I received an email last week with a load of photos of cool things for interiors.
I love Pacman
I thought a few of them were actually quite cool. Have a look, what do you think?
Nice to have an option
Me thinks this might be nightmare material
All the morning rituals
New look sunken lounge
Space saving bookcase
Would you like assistance creating a cool interior in your home? Contact us for an on-line or in person design consultation.
