We recently worked with Amber Tiles to share our tips on how to plan a bathroom renovation and below we’ve answered some questions about how to apply tiles to the bathroom and kitchen which you might find helpful if you’re about to embark on your own renovation/build. And in the spirit of giving, I wanted to give the opportunity to ask some more specific questions about bathroom and kitchen renovations so hit me up in the comments section below and I’ll share the answers here and on IG stories so that everyone can benefit.

Q: What makes a tile a feature tile?
A: A tile feature is a design statement piece that will often act as the hero in a space. It’s generally in contrast to the other materials used. This might be a patterned floor tile or mosaic splashback, for instance. A feature tile shouldn’t be confused with a feature wall.

Q: How do you work with the rest of the design and dimensions of the
living/kitchen area?

A: We always work up a floorplan/layout first and then make our hard surface and colour selections, fixtures and fixings. Coming up with the most effective floorplan means trouble shooting and working out what it is you need in the space before playing around with a few options. When it comes to the look and feel, I seek out a lot of inspiration from Pinterest, Instagram and Magazines to gauge what it is I’m drawn to and to help narrow down my choices.

Q: What ways can you make tiles pop?
A: You can make tiles pop via colour or if using a small tile or mosaic and by contrasting the grout to the tile, thereby highlighting the pattern. There is also a big variety of moroccan inspired printed tiles on the market which I particularly love in classic style homes. Opting for a colour is another way to create impact. There are some beautiful coloured options of tiles in store at the moment from cobalt blue to sage or emerald green and even some dusty pinks. Scrolling Pinterest is an ideal way to see how colour can be applied well (and not well, which is key).

Q: How does the size of a tile affect aesthetics?

A: We utilise small tiles to add pattern and interest to a bathroom. I especially love pattern on the floor whether it’s a herringbone mosaic, a penny round or a french laid travertine…… Larger tiles create a cleaner, more streamline look but avoid using too large tiles because you’ll end up with too many awkward cuts. I like to see a combination of large and small tiles in a space for the sake of creating interest.

Q: Should you play it safe or make a bold statement?

A: I don’t think playing it safe is very fulfilling but making a statement should also be about educated execution. You can make a statement without just by creating a functional, considered and well executed space that will stand the test of time.

Q: What do you need to consider in terms of colour, grout, texture and pattern, natural light etc?

A: Your tile should always be sampled in the space before making a final decision because  tile colours look different in different lights etc. A contrasting grout colour should only be used with small tiles like subways or mosaics where your intention is to highlight a pattern, otherwise do your best to match your grout colour to your tile colour.

Q: What kind of tile looks won’t date?

A: Natural stones such as marble, terrazzo and travertine are timeless and good quality tiles always stand the test of time, both in durability and as a look. A classic brick-laid subway tile is also a timeless choice in any context. I also think patterned Moroccan tiles laid on the floor will show longevity as a trend, whereas they may grow tiresome applied to the wall.

Q: Can you add anything else about tiles for this area that you think people should know?

A: When it comes to your floor surfaces you don’t need to limit yourself to one material. For example, you may want to define your kitchen space with a statement floor tile but use timber flooring throughout the rest of your house. There are some excellent examples of this, done well. Also, when choosing tiles think about how you live. For instance, gloss white tiles on the floor are always going to show dirt and be generally hard work so unless you love to clean opt for something that will withstand living. After all, that’s what our home is for.

Remember, this is your opportunity to ask some more specific bathroom and kitchen renovation questions so hit me up in the comments.

This post is supported by Amber Tiles.

Images by Mindi Cooke.

Carlene xx

Here it is, Michael’s favourite room of the renovation, the ensuite. It seems like such a non-eventful room to be excited about but it really is worthy of a little adoration. We’ve actually used many of the same materials and colours in the ensuite as our main bathroom but with a completely different effect.

Is it true that there is some debate about doors on ensuites? I’m sure I’ve heard that. The fact is, we never contemplated one. We didn’t have a reason to and we also had every intention of creating a bathroom that should stand loud and proud as part of the master bedroom rather than be shut behind a door. Initially, we were even going to have two entrances to the ensuite, one on either side of the bed but after it was framed up it just wasn’t working for me, for a few reasons, but mostly because I wanted bedside tables. The alternative would have meant we would have had to have a nook in the wall and that wasn’t an option for me. I’m soooo glad I made Michael change it because we really only need one ensuite entrance.

Like in the main bathroom, we used Easycraft’s Easyclad panels in the ensuite which are designed for wet areas and semi external spaces and the 12mm porcelain wall by Quantum Quartz WK Stone was really about breaking up the wall aesthetically but it also acts as a splash back for the bath.

How dang cute is that family of vintage brass vases?! I’ve had these for years, picked up on one of my opp shopping expeditions but they have never looked quite as good anywhere as they do in this space. Hot tip, buy fresh flowers that dry out well like baby eucalyptus so that you don’t need to keep replacing flowers. Alternatively, just take clippings from your garden. Your greenery doesn’t have to be expensive to do the job.

As in the main bathroom, all of our bathroom products (tap ware, bath, shower heads, toilet) are supplied by Abey Australia and I’ve opted for classic style product in organic forms throughout for the sake of getting longevity out of them, aesthetically.

The tile choice too is the same that we used in the main bathroom, White Cloud Carrara marble mosaics from National Tiles and like in the main bathroom, they are used on all 4 shower surfaces to give the shower a feeling of being an independent space. I was adamant that shower wasn’t going to have any aluminium edging in there which would have killed the sense of luxury created by the mitred tile edge.

The timber grain laminate we’ve used on the vanity is the same as we’ve used on our wardrobes throughout the reno. It’s Natural Walnut from Laminex and we engaged local cabinet maker/ builder, MCDAS to create it. My original design (see Michael’s render below) was a little more elaborate with a brass frame but we learnt that welding brass is laborious, which took the cost to a price we didn’t want to pay. Instead, we simplified the design by eliminating the brass frame and just sourcing some subtle, slimline legs that I had powder coated black.

Actually the render above shows how we’ve included a linen cupboard on the ensuite level but which continues on from our bedroom wardrobes. It’s a detail that Michael came up with that I really love, making the flow between the two rooms seamless.

The porcelain used for the vanity bench top has been colour matched with the splashback (same colour used for behind the bath), and like the main bathroom, it’s separated from the top of the laminate cabinetry by a brass shadow line. Here again, I’m impatiently waiting for the brass to age to tone down the yellow. The handles are from Anthropologie which is an American retailer whose product range I love, however the postage cost I really don’t love. There is just no other Australian retailer with similar offerings so until there is, I’m stuck.

The swing wall lights are from Emac and Lawton and they are pretty perfect for this space.  I take my decorative lighting seriously so I was happy to spend here although on the flip side, and it may be apparent by that light switch, that I (Carlene) have little (no) appreciation for fancy looking light switches and power points so this is where we could save some pennies. You’ve usually got to reign it in somewhere and this was where for us.

I’ve always loved art in bathrooms but it can look odd sitting on a tiled wall. Here though, on the VJ panelling it was a MUST. This piece above is called ‘Oh Sweet Summer Days’ by Lumiere Art and Co. and it is so spot on for this space. We had it framed in a really dark walnut frame (we use Artisan Picture Framing at Varsity Lakes for enquiring Gold Coasters) because I wanted it to be rich and sophisticated but black would have been too heavy against the back door.

I always judge a restaurant/cafe by it’s toilet so yes, we have wallpaper in the dunny. It’s by These Walls and on a side note, they have just released a new range and it’s hot dang good., I love that the Jungle theme print keeps this space fun and interesting. Again, the wall colour in here is Resene Foggy Grey and the black of the door and dado rail is Resene Blackest Black which, as the name suggests, is their blackest black.

The quirky pendant light poking its head out is a vintage find from The Grainery in Murwillimbah, Northern NSW. There are hundreds, maybe thousands of vintage lights to choose from in this crazy place. This one was one of the least expensive and totally works. The doors throughout the home are a custom size from Hume Doors and Timber and the track is from eBay.

Alright alright alright, I know you want me to talk about that shower screen (we’ve had requests) and of course, I will because it’s FABULOUS and it would want to be for the amount of effort that went into it. You’ve all seen the warehouse-style, black-framed, glass movement and it’s bloody brilliant but what you are generally looking at when you see those windows is a steel frame. We couldn’t have steel because steel can rust and would also be cost prohibitive so after some head scratching, Michael found a fabricator that had an aluminium section that would work for what we wanted.  We provided him with the opening measurements and design and once it was welded it was then powder coated black and installed. Once the frame was installed we had 6mm toughened glass cut and installed and secured with silicone by a local glass supplier. It actually sounds much simpler when I write it but neither we, nor our suppliers had done this sort of thing before so everyone was a bit green to the process. It’s OK though because we absolutely got what we set out to achieve.

The shower is actually suspended off the house and the way the light comes pouring in, it’s like a lil light box. We have two Velux Skylights built into the ceiling in the shower, which open and close via a remote. We open them after everyshower to let the steam and set the timer so that they close on their own. On a warm day we open them to enjoy the fresh air during our shower and it really creates a holiday feeling in there.

Michael also designed louvres on either side of the shower for another source of light and fresh air. They’re frosted, don’t worry and we don’t have enough privacy on that side of the house to ever open them more than a smidge but it’s enough. As with all of our windows they’re supplied and installed by A&L Windows.

Michael has always questioned the point of a double shower and double basin in an ensuite because we’ve never been in a situation that we have both needed to shower or brush our teeth at exactly the same time but there was something about this pace that sort of called for it and it likely serve us well at sale (one day).  I really only included the hand held in there for cleaning sake.

There it is in all its glory. I wish it was possible to photograph an entire space in one shot but you get the idea. BTW that bath mat poking out is HK Living from Kira and Kira. I’m calling it, it’s the best looking bath mat on the market and I so badly want them to do it in a colour. It actually sits in from of the shower day to day because we don’t use the bath. It has a sort of rubber backing so doesn’t move around and you can throw it in the washing machine although I would put it on a gently cycle for the sake of the tassels. HK living, if you’re reading this can you please make a good looking coloured bath mat.

Next week we’re unveiling the hallway which although doesn’t sound very exciting, it’s a very good looking hallway and is actually one of my favourite spaces in the house so until next week……

Images by Mindi Cooke.

Carlene xx

Oh hey, welcome to our main bathroom (the kids and guest bathrooms) and our little piece of modern, meets classic, meets mid-century, meets Europe, meets Australiana, meets the Duffy’s. This room marks the first of our renovation reveal roll out and I love that it’s uniquely ours and reflects the overall intent of the house.

I don’t particularly LOVE making over/renovating bathrooms, as in, they’re not my favourite makeover but I do LOVE this room. Maybe it’s because it doesn’t feel like a bathroom (bath, toilet and basins aside), it feels as inviting as any other room in our renovation.

Michael is always in charge of layout and he has some funny rules about vanities not being butt up against walls and about having all the bathroom product all on the one wall. As I have no strong feeling about that sort if thing, it was my job to make sure this space was jam-packed with character, interest and texture.

Let’s start by addressing the floors. Yes, you see right, we went with hardwood engineered timber floors in our bathroom, which you’re not supposed to typically do and I wouldn’t specify it in a client bathroom but this is OUR bathroom, our first opportunity to do whatever the flip we wanted, considering and despite any risks. The bathrooms are the only rooms in the house in which we floated our floors. Everywhere else they are direct stuck. This means that, god forbid, anything happened we could pull up the floorboards with ease. Stella already gave them a test run by turning on the bath tap without anyone knowing and then walking away, completely forgetting she’d done it but thats a story for another day. The floors are Black Mountain oak timber from Decorug and they are truly fabulous. They are super dark with just enough colour variation in the grain that I don’t see every bit of dust to land on the ground.

All the rugs throughout our house are also from Decorug and they look just so damn good scattered across those dark floors. They’re nearly all handcrafted and naturally dyed and they are almost indestructible, which is exactly what we need in this house. I feel like the rugs somehow tell the story that I want this home to tell, that this is a home with soul.

The vanity is in fact a dresser from West Elm which we retro-fit to suit. That meant adjusting the drawers to allow for the plumbing and also shortening the legs. It was a tad too tall.

Everyone asks how our mirror stays there leaning against the wall. It’s siliconed to the wall panelling so it ain’t going anywhere. I had this and the one in our ensuite (stay tuned for that) custom made by my picture framer, should you be thinking of doing the same.

Clearly I didn’t want that powerpoint where it is – something went wrong during rough in. We wanted it in the vanity and the outcome is less than ideal and I do have an image of this powerpoint photoshopped out but I wanted to show you that these things happen to us too. I can cover it with a vase or vessel until someone needs to access it.

On a side note, the plant there has started creeping up the wall, which was not our intent but is very exciting (we’re easily amused).

ohhhhh the brick. The brick throughout our home is breathtaking. It makes it’s way down the our entire hallway which means that every room is treated to that rich texture and pattern. We’ve used PGH Bricks’ Hawkesberry Bronze which came to us via ABC Bricks and we paired it with white mortar from the White Cement Company.  It’s the white mortar that breathes modern life into this classic brick.

All of our bathroom supplies are from Abey Australia. We’ve used the Betty Lux stone bath, complementing Formosa basin, and the Gareth Ashton Park Avenue toilet. The tap and spout combo are Gareth Ashton Lucia. I’m all about an eclectic interior but I think your bathroom supplies should all be of similar shapes and finishes.

The marble look splashback/ wall and bench are real showstoppers in this space. We’ve used 12mm Quantum Six from Quantum Quartz WK Stone that comes in sheets as big as 3200×1600 and in a range of colours. You can literally line any surface with it (wall, bench, floor). It was installed by the good guys at GMG Stone who did a pretty dang great job at installing it. We went with Statuario from the marble series and by pairing it with the rich timbers and brass accents it’s just so darn elegant.

Speaking of brass, it’s a recurring theme throughout the house. We used brass edging to create a shadow line between the porcelain and the vanity. I’m waiting in anticipation for the brass to age which is the ultimate look I’m aiming for (it’s a little bit gold right now). I even tried using an ageing solution that we sourced online but it’s not quite there yet.

Every non-brick wall in this renovation is clad in Easycraft panels. In the bathrooms we’ve used their Easyclad product which, made up of Australian hardwoods, is for semi-external areas and bathrooms, ideal for it’s non swell characteristics. In every other room, we’ve used EasyVJ panels. They look the same but are made up of different materials. It took Michael a while to understand that I wanted EVERY wall to be VJ panelling. I was adamant and it’s such a good alternative to flat plasterboard. It takes all the work out of the styling phase because there is already so much texture and softness in the space.

Ps, those Saya skin products don’t just look good on my vanity, they are actually a top notch product. Their gel cleanser is the best I’ve ever used.

Often when you walk into a space you just get a really good feeling (or not) without being able to put your finger on why. A lot of the time that feeling comes from the amount of natural light in a space.  In this room we have two very good sources of it. Michael designed the bank of skylights with our mates at Velux and they do so much for the overall feeling ignited in this space. We can open and close them as we like, controlling them via a remote on the wall. You can also set them on a timer and, now this is really fancy, they are fitted with rain sensors which means we don’t need to run to close them when the weather turns. And look at the shadows it casts into the space! Yum!

Now let’s talk about that super dooper large window. It may just look like a fixed panel glass window to you but it’s waaaaay fancier than that. Its called Switch Glass, it’s from Polytron Glass, and at the flick of a switch the glass transforms from opaque to translucent. You can’t see it in the pics but we’ve planted out a lovely lush green garden which is possibly one of the most luxurious aspects of this bathroom.

By golly gee, that shower! You can imagine how much my tiler loved me for choosing to tile the whole shower in a marble mosaic. There is no denying it was worth it. The tile is called White Cloud, a Carrara mosaic from National Tiles. I feel that the simple square pattern of the mosaic will stand the test of time, aesthetically and by tiling the whole shower in the one stone this area feels like a room unto itself. It’s incredibly luxurious, almost a little bit grecian and for an added bonus, all of those grout lines make it very slip resistant. I used a light grey grout, pulling out the most dominant colour in the tile.

I’m slightly off topic here but here’s a hot cleaning tip, don’t use bleach to clean your shower. Bleach eats away at the silicone and allows mould to get trapped under the silicone and when that happens you have no choice but to re-silicone. If you have marble surfaces like we do, you have to be careful not to use anything corrosive on it which includes bleach, lemon and vinegar. I specifically didn’t want a glass screen in this space because with all that sunlight it would have shown up every mark. That and the  fact that the marble nib wall is sooooo much prettier.

OK, now that you’ve had a lesson in cleaning (boring), what else can I tell you…. that super quirky teak timber stool I picked up from a local antique/vintage retailer a few years ago. You guys, I implore you to scour opp shops, antique stores and markets for furniture and homewares. My favourite items all come from these sources and I treasure them because they’re unique and always very cool.

On another side note, those towels are A-mazing. They’re from Mayde and they are feel so tactile and look sooooo good hanging from my wall. There is also something a bit retro about the weave which I LOVE.

Let’s talk about the door that you see peaking out. We chose the VJ door from from Hume doors Accent range and had it custom made to fit. We purchased the track and bracket from eBay and Bob’s your Uncle. It’s all about that colour though. All our internal doors are painted in Resene Blue Smoke (which doesn’t throw a hint of blue mind you), its just a perfect shade of muted green. The handles are just a super simple black metal from Bunnings. I kept these really fine so as to to their job without stealing focus.

The two pieces of art you can see in this pic are both by Kara Rosenlund, a super cool, total legend, Brisbane photographer whose work lines many a wall in our house. These two pieces I re-purposed from other parts of the house but this is where they’ll stay (the clothesline piece is actually a framed teatowel).

I think that covers it but if not, PLEASE ask questions in the comments section below because no doubt others will have the same. Come back next week for the full Master bedroom reveal. It’s a real beauty.

Images by Mindi Cooke.

Carlene xx