Bathroom renovations often uncover hidden surprises when floors and walls come down. For the Designline team, one client project would reveal the most extraordinary discovery the Sydney renovation experts have encountered. Come with us on this small bathroom renovation journey and discover just what an adventure it was…
Dull wall and floor tiling, a dated toilet, and generic tapware show just some of the reasons why this renovation was overdue.
Why This Small Bathroom Renovation Was Necessary
Located in Rozelle, Sydney, this Victorian terrace home featured a small bathroom renovated over two decades ago, which was now starting to look tired and outdated. The owners wanted something more functional and more faithful to the property’s heritage. One of the owners’ great-grandfathers worked in the docks at nearby Mort Bay, so the couple was also motivated by a personal connection to the geography and a desire to acknowledge and embrace the local traditional architectural flavour.
The Designline team was called in to assess the space and reimagine a custom bathroom design. Little did they know what they would uncover…
A pre-bathroom renovation strip-out reveals original Sydney sandstone walls.
If Bathroom Walls Could Talk – What Lay Below
The Designline team carefully reviewed their client’s brief and created a bathroom renovation plan that enhanced form, function, and storage. As is customary for all bathroom renovations, the team booked a strip-out, which required removing all materials and starting with a clean slate.
And that’s where the adventure began.
Imagine their amazement and delight when they pulled back tired old walls to reveal beautiful, original Sydney sandstone chiselled and carved by convict hands. Immediately, Designline and the client recognised the value of their wonderfully preserved discovery. Here was the perfect link to Sydney’s history and heritage—precisely the connection the client wanted to champion—lying right under their nose.
Whilst the find was exciting, it also presented challenges. The big reconsiderations were waterproofing, electrical rewiring and plumbing; the bathroom essentials. Knowing their clients were a bathroom down, the Designline team needed to return to the drawing board quickly.
Working With Sydney Trade Specialists for the Ultimate New-Look Bathroom
The priority was to understand the full effect of this discovery. Designline arranged an on-site meeting with a carpenter, electrician, plumber, waterproofer and sandstone mason. Each provided their assessment of what could or could not be done. For instance, as sandstone is very porous, compliant bathroom waterproofing was paramount to meet the necessary building code and safeguard the precious walls.
The Designline team then got to work on reimagining the bathroom renovation plans, ensuring that the sandstone walls became the design brief’s centre around which everything else must work.
Mirrored custom cabinetry maximises storage and highlights the original sandstone walls
A Modern Bathroom Renovation with Heritage Features
So, how did the Designline team meet their revised brief to showcase the sandstone walls and introduce enhanced function, storage and style to this small space? As far as small bathroom renovations go, this project was packed with smart ideas and stunning features.
Mirrors
The generous use of slightly smokey–looking mirrors served three purposes: elevating the presence of sandstone, offsetting the textured walls with softness, and creating a sense of the space being much bigger than it actually was.
Brass Tapware
Australian-made brass tapware faithfully reflected the building’s heritage, giving it a timeless, yesteryear feel that was still very much on-trend.
LED Strips and Under-Cabinet Lighting
The subtle but precise use of sustainable lighting enhanced the sandstone features while feeling more in tune with a heritage space.
Double Walls
A new double wall at one end of the bathroom provided excellent but discreet additional custom storage solutions (as did the locally handmade cabinetry by Designline’s talented trade craftspeople), which was greatly needed.
Underfloor Heating and Towel Rail
The bathroom renovation was an opportunity to introduce life’s little luxuries and pleasures, such as underfoot and towel rack heating.
The Designline team shows just what can be achieved for clients who want the ultimate dream bathroom.
Professional Pride for the Designline Team
Whilst challenging, the whole experience was hugely positive for the client and Designline. The bathroom is the jewel in the beautiful crown of this home, and the clients love showing family, friends, and neighbours.
It’s given Designline the confidence to know they can encounter but systematically overcome significant small bathroom renovation design hurdles.
Yesteryear blends beautifully with contemporary style in this stunning bathroom remodelling.
Contact Designline About Your Custom Bathroom Renovation
If your bathroom looks a little worse for wear, is dated, or doesn’t meet your lifestyle needs, contact Designline today. The interior designers and planners are experts in small bathroom renovations and can visit your space for a no-cost, no-obligation assessment and renovation plan.
Rest assured, they will handle any surprises your bathroom might have in store—good, bad, or ugly!
Sleek, modern brassware and soft smokey mirrors set the scene for this beautiful small bathroom renovation project.
