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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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This slideshow is just a snapshot ๐Ÿ˜ฏ Today's ho This slideshow is just a snapshot ๐Ÿ˜ฏ

Today's home, a new build duplex in Sydney's Dover Heights, is nothing short of incredible. Bravo 28 year old interior designer Shona McElroy of @smac_studio 

See the rest, including the statement staircase, on the homepage now. Via link in bio.

#brasspendant #statementlighting
#colouredstone #featurestone #venetianplaster #powderroomdecor 

Pix by @smartanson | Styling @clairedelmar
Always dreamed of knocking down an old shack and b Always dreamed of knocking down an old shack and building two luxury town houses but held back by a lack of cash?

It's the reality for many but @emilyosmond
And her fiance Koden teamed up with their good friend Jake to do just that, pooling their finances.

Read how they did it and check out Emily and Koden's gorgeous home, which is currently up for sale (yes, they're going to do it all over again!), on the homepage now. Via link in bio.

#propertydevelopers
#propertydeveloping
#townhouseliving #townhousedesign #melbournetownhouse #knockdownrebuild
Fridays with Charlie ๐Ÿฅฐ Tap for where things ar Fridays with Charlie ๐Ÿฅฐ

Tap for where things are from
Floor to ceiling tiles are not the only option! I Floor to ceiling tiles are not the only option!

I'm actually a big fan of the contrast you can achieve by only tiling part way as @naomifindlayofficial has here in her Carrington House reno. And she topped them with an @intrimgroup chair rail to give a finished look.

Read more about how Naomi used timber mouldings to achieve a consistent look, feel and flow between the original cottage and the modern extension on the blog now. Via the homepage (link in bio).

#greentiles #featuretile #bathroomtilesideas #chairrails #timbermouldings
Our new podcast is launching soon๐Ÿ™Œ๐Ÿป The bas Our new podcast is launching soon๐Ÿ™Œ๐Ÿป

The basic premise is getting the experts to help with the interior challenges and questions faced by our readers. And on that note, I'd love to know what you struggle with when it comes to decorating or renovating? 

Please comment below and it could become a podcast episode!

#heartyourhomethepodcast #interiorsaddictheartyourhome
It's a great time to be an interior designer! Wou It's a great time to be an interior designer!

Would you agree?

The latest @houzzau industry report found that residential design and construction professionals are very optimistic about business prospects. Interior designers and decorators were the most optimistic about revenue growth in 2022 among those surveyed, followed by home builders and building designers. 

A third of businesses reported that they were looking to hire more staff this year which is great news for jobseekers. 

The only negative finding was around the rising cost of doing business. One of the most significant factors was the price volatility of productsand  materials.

All in all though, it's a great time to be in the design industry. If you are, do you agree? Please drop us a comment below๐Ÿ™

Photo: @carlacapdevilafotografia
Boys' wardrobe makeover for under $500๐Ÿค— Anyone Boys' wardrobe makeover for under $500๐Ÿค—

Anyone else have those basic as built ins in an older house with a hanging rail and nothing else?! Not exactly great use of space or ideal for kids' clothes! 

We replaced the doors on all our wardrobes years ago but the internals behind were still pretty lacking. I recently made much better use of space in here with 2 @flexistorage flatpacks from Bunnings. They fit perfectly with easy access and 4 drawers and 3 shelves each is more than enough for kids. We attached them to the inside of the wardrobe so they're safe and sturdy.

They're $209 each and then we cut down a  brass wardrobe rail to create 2 hanging rails in between. They can even reach the bottom one themselves. I labelled Seb's too so he knows where to find things quickly.

Before this we were using those hanging shoe racks. The worst!

TA-DAH! SO MUCH BETTER USE OF SPACE!

#interiorsaddictfamilyhomereno #wardrobemakeover #diywardrobe #builtinwardrobe #budgetwardrobe #gifted

We used the Flexi Storage White 3 Shelf 4 Drawer Built In Wardrobe Unit. Swipe for the before.

Handles from @gainsboroughhardware Doors from @sydney_doors Hanging rail from @hafelehome

Save this post if your built ins could do with a makeover!
It can be all too easy to leave our kitchen bencht It can be all too easy to leave our kitchen benchtops bare and a little sterile!

But a few styling tricks with everyday objects can take the space next level and add interest, warmth and personality.

Save this post and have a go this weekend! Would love to see what you create!

More tips on the homepage now from @ecologyhomewares 

#kitchenceramics #kitchenshelfie #kitchenvignette #kitchendecorideas
The winner is @foysfolly PLEASE DM us your details The winner is @foysfolly
PLEASE DM us your details! 

GIVEAWAY TIME!

With winter approaching, is there anything better than fresh new bed linen? There is actually: new linen bed sheets AND linen pyjamas, all for free!

One lucky follower will win a fitted and flat sheet set with pillowcases and a pair of gorgeous linen PJs from @carlottaandgee worth $600!

TO ENTER:

*Follow @carlottaandgee and @interiorsaddict

*Tag a friend below and tell us which colours you're loving on your bed this winter. 

You can enter as many times as you like, tagging one friend per entry. Entries close 15 May at 5pm AEST. Australian residents only. In no way affiliated with Instagram or any other pages.
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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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