Image: @shaynnablaze via Instagram
With the teams on The Block working on main ensuites, judge Shaynna Blaze felt it was the perfect opportunity to share the ensuite she designed for the main bedroom in her 120-year-old country house in Kyneton, Victoria. Sutherland House, as it’s called, has been restored by Shaynna to stay true to its original character and heritage. It blends glamour, elegance and Moroccan influences, with a dash of traditional styling.
There are many reasons it works so well, but top of the list is that it has a strong focal point, which is crucial to an effective room design. The centrepiece? “A sensational bathtub, mirrored by an oversized basin, which leaves me with plenty of bench space,” she shares.
The other key to a successful bathroom is plenty of storage, as Shaynna often tells The Block contestants. “Of course, no ensuite is complete without ample storage – my Timberline cabinets and vanity are packed with layered drawers, shelves and dividers so I can keep everything organised and keep my beautiful surfaces clear,” she explains.
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Tiles make or break a bathroom, and Shaynna stresses the importance of choosing a tile style to suit your home’s design. “The Moroccan theme continues with warm, putty-coloured custom floor tiles, and the deep green wall tiles which evoke memories of a serene pool overlooking the Atlas Mountains,” she says.
All the little details bring the room together, from the tapware to paint colour and even choice of shower screen. These need to complement the chosen style, rather than compete with it. “The Victorian-era-inspired floor tap for the bath, shower and sink taps add another touch of timeless glamour, while the nearly invisible shower screen door allows the intricate tapware and the gorgeous deep green tiles to truly shine,” Shaynna shares. “The distressed paintwork, hand-painted fireplace and heritage-inspired ceiling rose also pay homage to the Victorian roots of the home.”
Heating is an often overlooked winning element in a bathroom, especially when the home is located somewhere it gets quite chilly. “It gets cold in Kyneton (understatement) so I opted for a gas fireplace, designed with a traditional metal shroud, that adds both warmth and romance to the space, complemented by underfloor heating,” says Shaynna. “A real wood fire would never have been practical – by the time it warmed the room, my bath would have been cold.”
