Photography: Martina Gemmola
It’s all about efficiency when you have three children, a fact interior designer Amy Spargo of Maine House Interiors knows all too well. Still, no one wants their functional features and clever design to come at the cost of beauty. That’s why this green bathroom in Amy’s latest renovation is so very special: it proves that you really can have it all.
The bathroom layout
When the time came to renovate her family home on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula, Amy focused on maximising space and functionality, especially in the main bathroom, which her three daughters use. To improve the layout, Amy removed a sunken bath beside the window and relocated the toilet to a less visible spot. “We installed an overhead shower and additional shower rail, so two little ones could be showered at once,” says Amy. A new Victoria + Albert ‘York’ freestanding bath in Gloss White, from Harvey Norman, lets all three girls enjoy bath time together.
The green bathroom palette
Decorating with green can create a stunning effect in any room. Amy took style cues from “old world English” charm and the surrounding garden, visible through the windows of this green bathroom. A vintage artwork is complemented with traditional touches, such as wainscoting-style tiling in ‘Masia Blanco’ square subways from National Tiles. Sanderson ‘Rubus’ wallpaper in Blackberry graces the walls above, even reaching across the original roofline near the window. The vibrancy of Taubmans Green Gage ties it together on the window trim and joinery, designed by Maine House Interiors. “The idea was to draw your eye out to the garden beyond,” says Amy. The result is at once whimsical and practical. “I love that pop of colour,” adds Amy, whose daughters adore the space almost as much as she does.
Amy Spargo’s best design tip
“Use the best materials that you can afford,” advises Amy, who opted for classic Bianco Carrara marble from Gladstones Granite & Marble to top the vanity, and selected Carrara ‘Shields’ mosaic tiles from National Tiles for the flooring. Amy recommends ensuring the storage in your bathroom is beautiful as well as functional. She did this here with her own bespoke mirror design, which conceals face-level storage and is finished in Porter’s Paints Dragon’s Eye.
Lighting and hardware
Amy layered ambient and task lighting. “We have three pin lights over the mirror plus downlights over the toilet and shower for function,” she says. This green bathroom receives more colour in the form of lamp shades, customised by Maine House Interiors in Chelsea Textiles ‘Fern’ fabric in Leaf. These shades are placed on Florabelle Living ‘Dino’ wall lights in Antique Brass. The finish complements the Perrin & Rowe wall-mounted basin and bath tapware sets in Chrome with white porcelain levers, sourced from The English Tapware Company. Want to learn more about bathroom lighting? Read this.
Interior design: Maine House Interiors, mainehouseinteriors.com
Joinery: Elite Design Joinery, elitedesignjoinery.com.au
Sourcebook
The Edit: Shop Amy Spargo’s green bathroom look
01
Sanderson ‘Rubus’ wallpaper in Blackberry
$285/roll, Wallpaper Direct
Amy used this wallpaper in her green family bathroom, above the wainscoting-style tiling. “It also lines the ceiling in the entry to the bathroom, for drama,” shares Amy. This wallpaper features a delicate blackberry design, alongside flowers and vibrant leaves, set against a cream background.
02
‘Dino’ wall light base in Antique Brass
$418, One World
Amy Spargo added extra charm to this wall light by covering the lampshades in Chelsea Textiles ‘Fern’ fabric in Leaf. While the Antique Brass finish is best suited to this palette, this design is also available in a Silver finish. The look is elegant, charming and timeless.
03
‘Brayden’ arch mirror
$1190, Highgate House
Amy’s mirror is a bespoke design by Maine House Interiors. The Brayden arch mirror by Highgate House has a similar appeal, with an elegantly curved silhouette. The hand-forged metal frame has burnished edges and gold highlights. It has a width of 61cm, depth of 3cm and height of 104cm.
04
Belbagno ‘Baden’ acrylic freestanding bath
$2839 – $3039, Temple & Webster
This freestanding bathtub has a beautiful, curved silhouette reminiscent of the bathtub Amy used. Made from acrylic, metal and fibreglass, it is available in 15 finishes and has good thermal properties.
05
Picturebook Green paint
It goes without saying but when you’re creating a green bathroom, selecting the right shade of green paint is key. This green is vibrant and impactful. It pairs well with soft neutrals Dulux Lexicon Quarter and Dulux Feather Soft.
06
Turner Hastings ‘Coventry’ freestanding single vanity in Satin White
$4309 (was $4542), Temple & Webster
This vanity has white cabinetry in a satin finish, with a benchtop of Carrara marble. An undercounter ceramic basin is included. It is available in three sizes and buyers are also able to choose between one tap hole or three.
Sizes: 1200mm.
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