Decorum » Bathroom

The Wash Up

Jennifer — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 06:53:10 +0000

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

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

Jennifer — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 22:46:50 +0000

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

Jennifer — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 20:06:17 +0000

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.

Seven Top Tips For Bathroom Renovating

Jennifer — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 20:07:29 +0000

I’m currently working on three bathrooms for three clients, so seem to be dreaming about bathrooms lately.

I thought I’d share my seven top tips worth considering when you are renovating your bathroom

To make the floor area look larger, lay square floor tiles on the diagonal.
To make the ceiling feel higher lay rectangular wall tiles upright.
Bathroom by Inside Out Colour and Design Photography by Lyn Johnston
To make the room feel wider, lay rectangular wall tiles on their side.
For ease of cleaning and neatness of the room, choose a Back To Wall toilet.
The ideal ighting is either side of the mirror at head height. It casts a warm healthy glow on your face and makes applying makeup or shaving easier.
Bathroom at Shangri-La Hotel, Vancouver
Wall hung vanities make the room look bigger and the floor easier to clean.
If you are not tiling to the ceiling, keep the horizontal line of the room the same – shower screen, door, window, mirror and tile height should be the same.
Bathroom by Lewin Wertheimer via desire2inspire

If you would like assistance renovating your bathroom, contact us for an online or in-person consultation.

Under or Over

Jennifer — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 07:35:59 +0000

I’m currently working on a number of bathrooms and one of the questions that keeps on cropping up is “What sort of basin should we have? One on top or one underneath?”

via Australian House and Garden Photographer Andrew Lehmann

The two most popular options at the moment seem to be basins that sit on top of the benchtop or basins that sit completely under the benchtop. I must admit the ones on top look pretty good in photographs but then I’m not convinced that they are practical. And being a Virgo, I’m all for practicality! So here’s my take on bathroom basins.

via Australian House and Garden Photographer Simon Kenny

The basins that sit on top of the vanity unit are called Vessel Basins. If you are going to have these then you need to have them deep enough so water won’t splash out when the tap is inadvertently turned on a little too hard. They require taps to be either wall mounted or a rather tall tap mounted on the benchtop. Both of these options will result in water being dripped on the benchtop when the tap is turned off with wet hands. They come in a variety of sizes, shapes and depths so the world of vessel basins is really your oyster.

Parisi Basin

Undermount basins are the ones that seem to be suspended UNDER the benchtop. They are mainly square, round or oval in shape. Most require the taps to be mounted on the benchtop allowing for water to drip down when turning the tap off. The beauty with undermount sinks is that the water and dirt can be swept straight into the bowl making cleaning up a little bit easier.

via Molly Frey Design

I have managed to find a few of both undermounted and vessel basins that incorporate a tap shelf which alleviates all the dripping problems. Music to my ears, as not only are Virgos practical, they hate mess, too. Especially when they have to clean it up.

via Australain House and Garden Photographer Dan Magree

I’m often asked “Will vessel basins still be popular in 5 years time?” And unfortunately I have no idea. However, I have just received an email advertising the new Laufen range of basins designed by Alessi and the vessel basin is 40cm deep.

II Bagno Alessi One Half Tam Tam

So what basin would you choose, vessel or undermount?

If you would like assistance in creating your perfect bathroom, contact us for an online or in-person consultation.

Federation Style on Australia Day

Jennifer — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 18:13:23 +0000

One of the most popular style of houses around my area, is the Federation House. It was an early style of Australian architecture and consists of a sprawling, assymetrical structure. It often will have a verandah that encircles the house and roofs with gables, turrets and dormer windows.

via Domain

There are often unlikely angles, bay windows and towers at corners. It was developed to meet the demands of the prosperous middle classes who wanted to show off their new-found wealth that coincided with Federation itself in 1901. The Federation House borrowed styles from many countries and eras which is fitting for this melting pot of a nation, we call home.

via Domain

Inside the house, colours were muted but decoration was ornate. Australian motifs abound with flora and fauna both displayed in the plaster ceilings or used in fabrics, wallpaper or tiles.

from "The Federation House" by Hugh Fraser and Ray Joyce

Coloured glass or lead-light was used throughout Federation homes and the top panels of the front door often featured panels of colour in soft pastels with Art Nouveau or Australian motifs. Round bulls-eye windows as well as bay windows were popular. The bay window would often house a window seat which is such a versatile design.

Colour choice by Inside Out Colour and Design

Fortunately today, these houses are being remodelled (rather than bulldozed) to include many of the period details but with an emphasis on more contemporary living. The dark, muted tones of the turn of the century are gone and the window coverings are more streamlined and suited to today’s busy lifestyles.

Modern take on a Federation Living room by Inside Out Colour and Design

The verandahs are sought after and have often been extended to create an outdoor living space adjacent to the modern kitchen.

Wide verandah

The bathrooms have been updated but still include that old world charm.

Bathroom Design by Inside Out Colour and Design

I love working with these houses. Not just because they are iconic Australian houses but they lend so well to being enhanced and modified to suit today’s families. If you require assistance with colour or decor for your Federation Home, contact us for an on-line or in-person consultation.

Happy Australia Day

Beautiful Bathrooms

Jennifer — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 01:15:34 +0000

I hope you’ve had a good week. It’s getting a bit frantic around here as pre-Christmas delivery deadlines approach.

We have also been working on a bathroom plan for clients who are remodelling their existing space.

Original Bath

Remodelled Bath designed by Inside Out Colour and Design

Bathrooms can be tricky and costly. If you are remodelling and the existing floorplan works, it’s more cost effective to leave plumbing as is and update fixtures and fittings.

Old Vanity

New Vanity designed by Inside Out Colour and Design

One thing you need to work out before you start is who uses the bathroom and how?

Combined bathroom and laundry by Inside Out Colour and Design

If it is an ensuite in a busy home then double basins could be the key.

Double vanities in Ensuite by Inside Out Colour and Design

If you have young children, or are considering selling your home anytime soon, then make sure you include a bath.

This bathroom was on the ground floor of the house and the clients wanted a bath so they could bathe the children while keeping an eye on the dinner.

And don’t forget storage. Towels don’t store that well in bathrooms as the steam and moisture can effect them so, if possible, keep them in the linen cupboard outside.

Recessed mirrored cabinet above vanity designed by Inside Out Colour and Design

Do think about storage for beauty and hygiene products, though and a great place is in a mirrored cabinet. They’re a bit better these days than the old shaving cabinet with the sliding mirrored doors!

Bathroom designed by Inside Out Colour and Design

And add some colour. Tiles come in every shape and colour these days and there is no limit as to what you can do with them.

Mosaic feature wall in children's ensuite, designed by Inside Out Colour and Design

Again, think about how the bathroom will be used and add colour accordingly.

Bathroom designed by Inside Out Colour and Design

I hope you get some time for a soak in the tub this weekend.

If you would like assistance with your bathroom renovation, contact us to enquire about our design services.

Form at the expense of Function

Jennifer — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 04:54:02 +0000

Here we are in our holiday rental at Daylesford. It’s at beautiful part of the world rich in mineral springs and healthy living.

Daylesford Boathouse

Our little cottage is just the right size for us and perfect for a short term stay. It has recently been renovated and is finished in a neutral palette. It has a great outdoor deck, which flows off the living room and a well-appointed kitchen.

Accommodation in Daylesford

However there are just a few finishing touches that are missing and it got me to thinking how some people just “miss” when completing their family homes. Too much emphasis is placed on Form rather than Function.

Family homes are meant to be lived in, not show pieces. If we can blend both, all the better, but first and foremost a family home is somewhere in which to relax and entertain our guests.

Comfortable Bedroom

Bedrooms NEED storage. Even if the house is just a weekender, it needs to have somewhere for the occupants to put some clothes. A small hanging space is all that is needed and a chest of drawers for other items. There’s nothing worse than having all your clothes in an open suitcase even it’s just for one or two nights. In this day and age with Ikea and Howards Storage World, these items can be purchased for a nominal outlay.

Lived In Bedroom

The other room where finishing touches are forgotten, is the bathroom. Early in a bathroom renovation, think about where the towels will be hung. There should be a towel rail for each person that uses the bathroom as well as a small ring or rail for the hand towel. Towels need to be hung out flat to dry effectively after use and a rail is preferred over a hook on the back of the door. If there isn’t enough room for a rail in the bathroom itself, place a freestanding towel rail in the bedroom.

Bathroom without towel rails

No matter how much clutter we eradicate from our lives, reality is that we all need storage. Having a place for everything and everything in it’s place will ensure your home functions properly at all times – Form AND Function.

What about you? Do you find yourself forgetting function for the sake of form?

If you need assistance in planning storage for your home, contact us to enquire about our design services.

The White Stuff

Jennifer — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 18:52:22 +0000

As I’ve mentioned before, I LOVE colour. I love it in my home, in my clothing and in my workplace.

Colourful interior by John Croft Design

However, there are times when one needs to rest. Too much colour can sometimes have a negative effect. This is when you need to include some white. White is pure and clean and creates a calm spot to rest the eyes or body.

Enter Whiteport. All your white accessories and small furniture items in the one place…..and online! You don’t even have to leave home.

Kitchen accessories by Whiteport

Jennifer McCabe, founder of Whiteport has sourced beautiful bath, bed and table items and put them all together on her website.

Many, many years ago, my Grandmother helped me buy my first dinner set. We chose an all white set which I still use today. White is timeless and goes with everything. The white plate allows the food to take centre stage.

White dinner set from Whiteport

I love going to hotels and having nice fluffy white towels and there’s something luxurious about slipping between crisp, white sheets.

White bed linen from Whiteport

At the moment, Whiteport is offering up to 40% discount on certain items when you sign up for their email newsletter.

Whether your style is Beach, French Provincial, Hamptons or Traditional, white will work for you.

So pop over and grab yourself some refreshing new items for your home.

Ensuite Dilemma

Jennifer — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 19:12:08 +0000

I am starting to think about the finishing touches for our own home renovation. It’s been 3 years in the making and about 7 years in the dreaming.

As soon as we bought this place, we knew we wanted to change it and add our own stamp. The house, as they say, had loads of potential.

Real Estate Flyer

We tweaked rooms that won’t be affected and then left others that will.

Master Bedroom

This is a photo of our master bedroom. Whilst living in Hong Kong for 3 years, we purchased a number of Chinese antiques and the master bedroom has a definite Asian Influence.

Lamps from Wah Tung, Hong Kong

My dilemma is what to do in the future ensuite? Should I carry the Asian theme through or should I leave it and give it the hotel look?

Hotel Style Bathroom - stone tiles and neutral colours

I really like the images below and could do something similar but my husband is worried that once you take our furniture out of the bedroom, the next person will be left with an Asian bathroom.

I figure that by the time I’m ready to leave this place the bathroom will need re-doing anyway so why shouldn’t I have it my way. After all, it will just be the vanity.

What do you think?