Room Tour: Casual, Coastal Chic for a Bathroom on a Budget
A fresh, beachy vibe was injected into this bathroom while costs and construction hassles were kept to a minimum
In a Q&A format, we talk to the designer of this stylish bathroom about the creative thinking behind the transformation.
The bathroom before works.
Was there anything in particular the clients didn’t like about the original bathroom?
It was dark, outdated and showing its age, with broken fixtures and fittings.
Ready for a change? Find a local bathroom designer to breathe new life into your bathing space.
Was there anything in particular the clients didn’t like about the original bathroom?
It was dark, outdated and showing its age, with broken fixtures and fittings.
Ready for a change? Find a local bathroom designer to breathe new life into your bathing space.
The old bath and vanity unit.
What was the brief?
Our clients wanted to update the bathroom to fit in with the rest of their home, which has a contemporary coastal style. They wanted the room to be light and airy, and to include a vanity unit with rattan doors. They also liked the idea of an open shower.
The layout, however, needed to stay the same.
What was the brief?
Our clients wanted to update the bathroom to fit in with the rest of their home, which has a contemporary coastal style. They wanted the room to be light and airy, and to include a vanity unit with rattan doors. They also liked the idea of an open shower.
The layout, however, needed to stay the same.
The layout.
What was the starting point?
The couple’s inspiration for this bathroom came from an image by a local homeware store, where a bathroom had been styled to promote some towels.
Another element was rattan – they wanted a vanity unit with rattan doors. Everything else in the bathroom was chosen to complement this material.
What was the starting point?
The couple’s inspiration for this bathroom came from an image by a local homeware store, where a bathroom had been styled to promote some towels.
Another element was rattan – they wanted a vanity unit with rattan doors. Everything else in the bathroom was chosen to complement this material.
A niche was cleverly added to the shower wall beside the vanity unit to provide extra storage.
Key design aspects
Colour palette
Key design aspects
Colour palette
- Sage green, white and light, natural touches through rattan and timber.
- Rattan, brushed copper tapware, Polytec Nordic Oak timber veneer, and YDL Stone Arctic White countertop.
- Bespoke vanity unit, Solid Kitchens ’n’ Cabinets.
- Fabriano freestanding acrylic bath, Eagles Plumbing.
- Fienza Reba vessel basin in Gloss White, Eagles Plumbing.
- ABI Interiors Elysian tapware, shower rose and hand-held shower.
- ADP 750mm arched mirror, Eagles Plumbing.
What was the thinking behind the arrangement of fixtures?
It was decided early in the design process to keep the fixtures in the same layout of the original bathroom plan, as it was functional, made good use of space and meant minimal moving of plumbing.
It was decided early in the design process to keep the fixtures in the same layout of the original bathroom plan, as it was functional, made good use of space and meant minimal moving of plumbing.
Were there any challenges you worked around?
As we kept the plumbed-in fixtures in the same place, this bathroom didn’t really present any challenges.
As we kept the plumbed-in fixtures in the same place, this bathroom didn’t really present any challenges.
Can you tell us about the beautiful green tiles?
They are Slash double-fired ceramic subway tiles in Sage with a gloss finish by Imola Ceramica, supplied by Ballina Tiles.
Our clients always loved blues and greens and the rest of their home includes lots of these tones. They decided to stay true to a colour they’ve never tired of. The green of the tiles complements the coastal feel they wanted to achieve.
They are Slash double-fired ceramic subway tiles in Sage with a gloss finish by Imola Ceramica, supplied by Ballina Tiles.
Our clients always loved blues and greens and the rest of their home includes lots of these tones. They decided to stay true to a colour they’ve never tired of. The green of the tiles complements the coastal feel they wanted to achieve.
And the floor tiles?
The couple liked a terrazzo look and, after consulting with us, it was recommended they choose a light terrazzo colour to keep the atmosphere fresh and airy.
These tiles fuse the look of traditional Italian terrazzo with the appearance of quartz stone, creating a more subtle, stone effect. They are Florina Ceramics’ Snow porcelain tiles with a rectified edge from the
Quarrazzo range.
The couple liked a terrazzo look and, after consulting with us, it was recommended they choose a light terrazzo colour to keep the atmosphere fresh and airy.
These tiles fuse the look of traditional Italian terrazzo with the appearance of quartz stone, creating a more subtle, stone effect. They are Florina Ceramics’ Snow porcelain tiles with a rectified edge from the
Quarrazzo range.
What about the sweet palm-tree hooks?
Our clients fell in love with these palm-tree hooks online. They add a playful, personal touch to the bathroom and complement its coastal style. And with their brushed copper-look finish, they suit the tapware.
Our clients fell in love with these palm-tree hooks online. They add a playful, personal touch to the bathroom and complement its coastal style. And with their brushed copper-look finish, they suit the tapware.
Why do you think this bathroom works?
It now has an airy and contemporary coastal atmosphere. The open shower area works well (there’s no glass to clean!). Plus, it’s easily useable by physically impaired people, should elderly family members visit.
A freestanding tub is always a delight in any bathroom and adds a luxury edge to the relaxed, coastal vibe.
There’s now space between the vanity area and bath, so it’s far easier to clean than the previous arrangement.
Tell us…
Which ideas would you steal from this space? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
It now has an airy and contemporary coastal atmosphere. The open shower area works well (there’s no glass to clean!). Plus, it’s easily useable by physically impaired people, should elderly family members visit.
A freestanding tub is always a delight in any bathroom and adds a luxury edge to the relaxed, coastal vibe.
There’s now space between the vanity area and bath, so it’s far easier to clean than the previous arrangement.
Tell us…
Which ideas would you steal from this space? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
Who lives here? A family of three
Location Skennars Head, New South Wales, Australia
Designer Julian Driussi, partner at Northern Rivers Bathroom Renovations
Room dimensions Around 7 sq m
Approximate budget Aus$28,000 (around £15,600)
Photos and answers by Shanna Driussi, partner at Northern Rivers Bathroom Renovations