Bathroom renovation: Glitz & Glamour

At just over a metre wide and under three metres long, this ensuite proved a challenge for its owner, interior designer James Dawson. The original 1980s bathroom was bland and dated with yellow walls, imitation marble benchtops and frosted glass shower screens well past their prime.

“The old screen was elegantly hanging on by just one of its four hinges,” remarks James. “The main objective was to create a sense of space, and it had to be unique. Also, I wanted it to have a moody scheme that was separate from the rest of the apartment.”

The shape and size of the room deemed a layout change almost impossible, so instead, striking cosmetic changes were made. The dated vanity, shower and toilet were all replaced with chic new fixtures, carefully chosen to work with the ensuite’s small proportions.

Then came the pièce de résistance – a gorgeous mural depicting the iconic Luxembourg Gardens in Paris. “When you dim the lights, the image and floor tiles combine to create a watery effect,” says James. “It looks high maintenance, but it’s so functional and easy to care for.”

Vanity

The narrow Cibo ‘Vida’ integrated vanity from Reece is only 370mm deep, ideal for this compact ensuite. A wall of mirror reflects a dramatic mural, which was custom made by James Dawson Interiors.

Shower

A frameless glass shower screen (above), custom-designed by James Dawson Interiors, swings both in and out, helping save precious space, while a luxurious Nikles ‘Pearl’ rain showerhead completes the high-end hotel feel.

In the detail

Interior designer James retained the tiny bathroom’s original layout and concentrated on making high-impact material changes instead. On the mirror, a Caroma Dorf tap is wall-mounted for a clutter-free benchtop.

Elements of luxe can be seen in even the smallest details, such as gleaming gold accessories. Black ‘Dune’ mosaics from True Style Tiling feature both underfoot and in a discreet shower recess.

For more inspirational bathrooms, click here.