Well it seems to be the general consensus of real estate agents that kitchens and bathrooms sell homes. We aren't planning to sell our house anytime soon, but we certainly wanted bathrooms that would suit the period of the house and be an elegant style that wouldn't date. We hadn't intended to have three bathrooms originally however, given the upstairs/downstairs layout and our desire for an ensuite, it would seem that we're destined to be cleaning bathrooms frequently. That said, I'm very much in love with the bathrooms so I'm not sure it will be so much of a chore to spend some extra time in there admiring the finishes and tiles!
Ensuite: As I may have already mentioned, having an ensuite is basically considered a standard inclusion for most new homes and it really is more of a "necessity" than a luxury if you have more than two people living in a house! Our ensuite fit nicely into the enclosed verandah but this did pose some issues. The raked ceiling with no roof enclosure meant that a wall exhaust fan was needed (more expensive and less effective but better than none at all) and that the down lights had to be tilted. It also meant we had to change the window we had intended to use so that the toilet could fit beneath the window and not jut out above it. The narrow bathroom also had little room for storage therefore we built three small niches into the wall alongside the pedestal bath. These allowed for high use items such as toothbrushes and cosmetics to be nearby but out of sight when looking in from the dressing room. We're going to use a small freestanding cupboard under the window to store other items such as toilet paper etc.
Main bathroom: The other upstairs bathroom is really the "show" bathroom in the sense that it would be the powder room used most when entertaining as it only really services the occupant of bedroom 2. It was thus the place we splurged and bought a gorgeous bath set with diverter (with the porcelain handles) as the bathtub is viewed from the doorway and it sits nicely under the reclaimed hopscotch casement windows and their green and port wine glass panels. A small room divider (thanks to the architect) provides the side to the hallway linen cupboard and extends a little further so the toilet can't be viewed from the hallway. As someone enters the room, they therefore see the bathtub, then the pedestal sink (complete with antique mirror), frameless shower panel and then the toilet. After all, first impressions count!
Downstairs bathroom: The downstairs bathroom was not to be left out, however. As this was the most likely children's and guest bathroom, a bathtub was still a necessity but I couldn't bring myself to get a built-in tub as I think it would have made the room look smaller and the old fashioned bathtubs with claw legs are still easy to get a mop under and around. Again the bathtub sits at the door entrance so it is the first thing you see as you walk past the door (it is after all more often open than shut) and sits under the lovely hopscotch casement window. Storage was once again an issue so we found an Australian manufacturer who specialises in making art deco style mirror cabinets that can be recessed into the wall. Much more expensive than buying a mirror like the other two bathrooms, but it does mean that the bulk of storage needs are met without needing to clutter the room. Given that our children are to use this bathroom we opted for an enclosed but frameless shower cubicle to limit the spread of water spray around the room!
In all bathrooms we used windows that had old fashioned arctic or obscure glass. This glass allows light in, but as the name suggests, obscures the view so it really is impossible to see detail through the window. It also means we don't need window treatments which in a bathroom is a good thing. Less cleaning...and I'm all about methods to reduce cleaning! It might surprise renovators to know that it is still available (though you might have to hunt around a bit) many years after it first came into production. But do beware, it doesn't meet new standards in glass safety so check with your council / certifier that the dimensions are smaller than the window pane size which requires safety glass if you are putting in a new window and not just repairing an existing window.
The bathrooms are not yet finished but I've put in a few photos to show you the work in progress until the rooms are finished! The bathtubs still need to be installed as do the towel racks, mirrors etc...
Bathroom finish details are as follows:
Items found in all three bathrooms unless otherwise stated, were supplied by Vogue Spas and Bathrooms. Bathroom finishes are:
Ensuite: As I may have already mentioned, having an ensuite is basically considered a standard inclusion for most new homes and it really is more of a "necessity" than a luxury if you have more than two people living in a house! Our ensuite fit nicely into the enclosed verandah but this did pose some issues. The raked ceiling with no roof enclosure meant that a wall exhaust fan was needed (more expensive and less effective but better than none at all) and that the down lights had to be tilted. It also meant we had to change the window we had intended to use so that the toilet could fit beneath the window and not jut out above it. The narrow bathroom also had little room for storage therefore we built three small niches into the wall alongside the pedestal bath. These allowed for high use items such as toothbrushes and cosmetics to be nearby but out of sight when looking in from the dressing room. We're going to use a small freestanding cupboard under the window to store other items such as toilet paper etc.
Main bathroom: The other upstairs bathroom is really the "show" bathroom in the sense that it would be the powder room used most when entertaining as it only really services the occupant of bedroom 2. It was thus the place we splurged and bought a gorgeous bath set with diverter (with the porcelain handles) as the bathtub is viewed from the doorway and it sits nicely under the reclaimed hopscotch casement windows and their green and port wine glass panels. A small room divider (thanks to the architect) provides the side to the hallway linen cupboard and extends a little further so the toilet can't be viewed from the hallway. As someone enters the room, they therefore see the bathtub, then the pedestal sink (complete with antique mirror), frameless shower panel and then the toilet. After all, first impressions count!
Downstairs bathroom: The downstairs bathroom was not to be left out, however. As this was the most likely children's and guest bathroom, a bathtub was still a necessity but I couldn't bring myself to get a built-in tub as I think it would have made the room look smaller and the old fashioned bathtubs with claw legs are still easy to get a mop under and around. Again the bathtub sits at the door entrance so it is the first thing you see as you walk past the door (it is after all more often open than shut) and sits under the lovely hopscotch casement window. Storage was once again an issue so we found an Australian manufacturer who specialises in making art deco style mirror cabinets that can be recessed into the wall. Much more expensive than buying a mirror like the other two bathrooms, but it does mean that the bulk of storage needs are met without needing to clutter the room. Given that our children are to use this bathroom we opted for an enclosed but frameless shower cubicle to limit the spread of water spray around the room!
In all bathrooms we used windows that had old fashioned arctic or obscure glass. This glass allows light in, but as the name suggests, obscures the view so it really is impossible to see detail through the window. It also means we don't need window treatments which in a bathroom is a good thing. Less cleaning...and I'm all about methods to reduce cleaning! It might surprise renovators to know that it is still available (though you might have to hunt around a bit) many years after it first came into production. But do beware, it doesn't meet new standards in glass safety so check with your council / certifier that the dimensions are smaller than the window pane size which requires safety glass if you are putting in a new window and not just repairing an existing window.
The bathrooms are not yet finished but I've put in a few photos to show you the work in progress until the rooms are finished! The bathtubs still need to be installed as do the towel racks, mirrors etc...
Bathroom finish details are as follows:
Items found in all three bathrooms unless otherwise stated, were supplied by Vogue Spas and Bathrooms. Bathroom finishes are:
- Pedestal sink / basin: McKinley 70 ceramic wash basin H: 875 x W: 675 x D: 550mm
- Pedestal sink tapware: Brodware Neu England Basin set w/ country spout, metal levers & ceramic disc (B80.00.T2.L)
- Toilets: Posh Canterbury low level toilet (Supplier: Reece)
- Frameless showers (Supplier: Stegbar)
- Encaustic tiles: See tile post (Supplier: Jatana Interiors)
- Wall tiles: See tile post (Supplier: Affordable Tiles, Burleigh Heads)
- Towel rails, towel rings, toilet roll holder, glass shelf in shower and floor grates: Brodware Neu England
- Luggage racks: (Ebay & Gumtree)
Ensuite:
- Mirror (Supplier: Ebay)
- Shower set: Brodware Neu England 140mm with cross handles & ceramic disc (B80.11)
- Shower channel: Stormtech 900mm punched stainless steel grate + channel 65PS125
Upstairs bathroom:
- Mirror (Supplier: Gumtree)
- Shower set: Brodware Neu England exposed with 140mm shower head (B1.8013.00.1.01)
- Bathtub: Victoria & Albert Richmond Bath w/ white feet L:1670 x W: 745 x H: 603mm
- Bathtub tapware: Neu England Wall Bath Set w/diverter & hand shower, cross handles w/ ceramic disc
- Shower channel: Stormtech 900mm punched stainless steel grate + channel 65PS125
Downstairs Bathroom:
- Shaving mirror cabinet: Single door cabinet Superior 750 x 600 x 120mm (Supplier: Deco Mirrors)
- Shower set: Brodware Neu England 140mm with cross handles & ceramic disc (B80.11)
- Bathtub: Victoria & Albert Wessex Bath w/ white feet L: 1520 x W: 765 x H: 600 mm
Original Bathrooms
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| Original downstairs bathroom |
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| Upstairs toilet next to the back door exit! |
Main bathroom
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| Exposed shower head looks great I think |
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| Richmond bathtub |
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| Pedestal sink and antique mirror in place |
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| Upstairs bathroom finished! |
Downstairs bathroom
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| Lights and power outlets in the bathrooms |
Ensuite
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