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VJ panel bathroom: beige seventies to spa sanctuary for just $8000

May 5, 2021 Leave a Comment

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You know how they say that if you want something done you should assign it to a busy person? Well, that maxim certainly holds for one Melbourne homeowner who carried out a DIY bathroom renovation recently, while working as a full-time frontline health worker.

โ€œThis project was done during Tomiโ€™s days off and it was his way of unwinding during a difficult period,โ€ says Anri McHugh of his partner Tomi Ahonen who took four weeks to renovate the couple’s bathroom with a budget of $8,000. The couple purchased the beachside 1970s Elwood apartment three years ago and have been slowly renovating it since.

BEFORE bathroom
BEFORE bathroom
AFTER bathroom
AFTER bathroom

The bathroomโ€™s brown tiles and peach fixtures were replaced with a chic mix of matte black fixtures, grey paint, white penny round tiles and a luxurious freestanding bath โ€“ โ€˜city farmhouseโ€™ was the design brief. โ€œItโ€™s a style that blends cosy farmhouse charm with traditional wood panelling and contemporary elements in an urban environment. It fits in with the rest of the apartmentโ€™s look and feel,โ€ says Anri.

Tomi carried out all of the renovation, aside from the plumbing, while Anri was on hand to help with painting and general labour. Tomi stripped out all of the tiles and fittings, laid the pennyround tiles and installed the Easycraft wood panelling too โ€“ incredibly, it was the first time he had ever done any of those things! 

Renovation period
Stripping the existing bathroom was no mean feat
During the renovation
Novice DIYer Tomi laying tiles for the first time in his life

Arguably the most onerous task was removing the original cast iron bathtub as it had been cemented into the wall. โ€œWe had to use an angle grinder to remove it which created lots of dust. We live on the top floor with no lift so getting it down two flights of stairs was also pretty difficult,โ€ says Anri. The bathroom tile disposal was an equally arduous task.

The bathroom vanity was made from an upcycled bedside table found on Gumtree
The bathroom vanity was made from an upcycled bedside table found on Gumtree

Essential to the brief, the freestanding bathtub is a highlight of the room. โ€œThereโ€™s something pretty special and indulgent about a hot bath on a cold winter’s night in Melbourne. It just feels like an escape and a place to shut out the world and relax. We created a sanctuary that we can retreat into when the world gets too much.โ€

One last look
One last look
What’s new in bathrooms: April 2021
With overseas travel still out of reach (well aside from the New Zealand experiment!), many Aussies are creating resort and spa-like bathrooms at home. From sumptuous stone-like porcelain panels to…

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While we featured a gloriously colourful home on M While we featured a gloriously colourful home on Monday, this one is a masterclass in serene neutrals! And how good is this bunk room?!

Take the tour on the blog now. Via link in bio.

#neutralhome #neutralhomedecor #bunkroom #bunkbed #bunkbedsforkids #builtinbunkbeds #skylights #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #realhomes #holidayhousesofinstagram #nswsouthcoast #wollongong #wollongonghomes

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Washable rugs, eco-friendly play mats, reversible Washable rugs, eco-friendly play mats, reversible linen, gorgeous wallpaper and the chance to win a beautiful bouclรฉ recliner chair!

Today's kids room roundup is full of loveliness if we don't say ourselves!

Via link in bio now.

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A glass shower screen is not the only option! In A glass shower screen is not the only option!

In this 80s villa reno, @trentinidesign took inspiration from an archway typical of the era and used it throughout the home.

The bathroom was transformed from a classic three-piece set up that included a shower, bath and vanity. Kathryn removed the bath and split the room in half and designed an arch to sit between the two zones. 

โ€œI wanted something spectacular. Rather than having a vanity with a piece of glass like you would typically see, I was really trying to push myself as a designer. It was costly but it worked out well and the feedback has been great."

Swipe for the before and follow the link in bio to see the rest of this home.

#bathroomdesignideas #bathroomtrends2023 #showerscreen #showerscreens #archways #apartmentrenovation #interiorsblogger #interiorsaccount #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #realreno
One half of popular parenting podcast @wedonthavet One half of popular parenting podcast @wedonthavetimeforthis, turns out former Neighbours actor @gemma_peanut is even more multi-talented than we thought! Will you check out the joyful and colourful reno of her holiday home (and airbnb) @yo_caba_caba?!

Head over to the blog via link in bio to read all about why she went bold and full of pattern in this project, which is a stark contrast to her zen and neutral Northern Beaches abode.

There's also plenty of details about where things are from etc.

"Iโ€™m not an interior designer so I just chose what I liked and followed my gut. Ultimately this home has been an opportunity to explore my alter ego โ€“ it allowed me to do things that I wouldnโ€™t normally do.โ€

๐Ÿ“ท @tanikablair_photography 

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Not many friends in life fall into the unofficial Not many friends in life fall into the unofficial family category and they're a special gift. So ends three weeks with @danisteve81 who left her husband and son in the UK (I'm forever grateful they lent her to me!) to come and cheer me up and help me in the most practical ways after I spent Christmas and New Year in hospital. There were tears and I miss her so much already but how amazing to have had all that time together as adults. Such a rare treat and would never have happened without having been through something so challenging. Silver linings and all that. So many other friends have also been incredibly thoughtful and kind. There aren't many times I'd say this without cringing but I am 100% blessed!

I still cannot believe we have been friends since we were 12! 12! Are you still close with your childhood besties?
The renovation of this 80s beach shack @camillo_ho The renovation of this 80s beach shack @camillo_house is a work of art and while almost every surface was updated, the decision to keep the original slate floor was genius if you ask us. 

Owner @clarehillier__ says: "With its purple, pink, red and brown tones, the slate was the starting point for our interior palette."

Come and check out the before and afters via link in bio now and read the reno story. It's a real beauty.

And you can book it for your next holiday too!

Blair Smith Architecture @kateshanasy

#slatefloor #slatefloors #80shouse #80sbeauty #camillohouse #interiorsblog #interiorsblogger #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #realreno #holidayhousesofinstagram #morningtonpeninsulahomes #morningtonpeninsula #morningtonpeninsulasmallbusiness #blairgowrie #blairgowriebeach #airbnbstyle
Me and my boys ๐Ÿ’— Me and my boys ๐Ÿ’—
Just a couple of dorks who've been friends for thr Just a couple of dorks who've been friends for three decades going out for a child-free dinner ๐Ÿ’“๐Ÿ˜
Excuse me while I die of a cute attack ๐Ÿฅฐ @damia Excuse me while I die of a cute attack ๐Ÿฅฐ @damianfrancis 

This doesn't happen often these days!
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Amy Collins Walker

About Amy Collins Walker

Amy is our regular feature writer, an experienced journalist and interior stylist living in Perth, Western Australia. Find out more about her styling work at http://www.amycollinswalker.com/

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