Contemporary Country Bathroom – Blackwood Bathroom Renovation
Our clients, a retired couple, came to us for a contemporary country bathroom renovation. They enlisted us to help renovating the bathroom in their beautiful Federation era home in Blackwood. Lush gardens surround the house, which they have created and nurtured over the past 20 years. Their home reflects a love of nature, with flower arrangements from the garden, as well as shells and driftwood collected from their travels along the Australian coastline, on display throughout.
The couple wanted to update the look as well as future-proof the space so they can continue living in their home should their mobility needs change down the track. A functional bathroom that is easy to clean was of utmost importance to them. They also wanted to ensure that the design paid respect to the era of the original part of the house whilst still being contemporary.
The existing bathroom was tired and outdated. Our clients described it as old and drab and they didn’t like how it made them feel. The layout wasn’t working for them; it was cramped, difficult to access the vanity cupboards, and the unused bathtub took up a lot of space.
They came to Brilliant SA after seeing work we had completed for a family member and being impressed with the quality of workmanship and attention to detail. They wanted their contemporary country bathroom renovation to be done properly.
Their wishlist included removing the bathtub to allow for a large open shower, provisioning for future grab rails, incorporating ample storage and display space, and retaining the original door to add character.
Our designer reconfigured the layout of the bathroom to create a large circulation space, meaning that it would be easy to move around even if they needed mobility aids one day. We positioned the shower where the old bathtub was, allowing for a large open shower. In addition, we designed a ledge to run along the shower and toilet wall, creating both storage and display space. We added structural supports in the ledge so they can add grab rails in the future if needed. A large vanity with drawers provides ergonomic storage, with additional storage provided in the mirrored cabinet above. The overall design is simple and uncluttered.
Once our clients were happy with the design, we worked collaboratively to select easy to clean materials and sanitaryware, ensuring we paid attention to both form and function. We selected mixer tapware due to being both easy to clean and operate. We added handles to the drawers as an ergonomic solution, and a single panel frameless shower screen and large format tiles will be easy to clean.
A challenge in this part of the process was ensuring that the materials and colour scheme were sympathetic to the rest of the home and the client’s style, whilst still being fresh and modern. To overcome this, our designer drew inspiration from the client’s displays of shells and driftwood from beachcombing to inform the colour palette. The Navona Honey tiles are reminiscent of sand and add texture and warmth. We repeated the rich golden tones of the original timber door in the solid timber vanity benchtop. VJ panelling painted warm beige adds another textural element and nods to the country styling in the rest of the home, as does the shaker profile of the vanity cabinetry. Brushed brass tapware and accessories add warmth and classic character.
The design is deceptively simple and spacious, yet the materials chosen create a warm and inviting space with loads of character and charm. With plenty of easy to access storage and lots of room to move, this bathroom will certainly meet the needs of our clients for many years to come.
The couple love their new bathroom and said that it feels like it has always been a part of their home and that it reflects them perfectly. They also enjoy how the space makes them feel, and commented: “with the water pouring over you, looking at all the finishes and the tiles looking like the foamy waves have settled into the sand creating little holes, I feel as though I’m on holiday at the beach”
Key elements:
Tapware: Reece, Mizu Drift Basin Mixer Tap in Brushed Gold
Tiles: Italia Ceramics, Navona Honey Cross Matt, 600×600
Vanity: Solid Timber Vanity Benchtop
- Designed and built by the Brilliant SA team
- Designer: Lisa Katsikitis
- Supervisor: Daniel Balnaves
- Photographer: Aaron Citti
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