Tag: bathroom makeover

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Saving money by using VJ panels instead of tiles in our new en suite reno

Welcome to the third and final Monday in a row (for a while, anyway!) of sharing a project from my very own home! I hope you enjoyed the flatpack built-in entertainment unit and the navy and gold laundry earlier in the month!

Light, bright and classic

Today, I’m sharing our en suite, which probably involved the most thought, planning, work and money, of the three projects we completed just before Christmas. Funnily enough, this room was the most modern (I’m guessing an 80s/90s extension) of them all when we moved in. Which is pretty funny when you consider the before pictures below! Hello, beige and brown!

Bathrooms are, by their very nature, bloody expensive rooms! And while we did a complete rip out and re-do with our main bathroom, we didn’t have the funds (nor did we consider them worth spending) to do the same for our en suite. But after almost four years, we really wanted to finally finish off the two remaining very dated rooms of this “nanna house,” this and the laundry. They were definitely a couple of pimples on an otherwise pretty face!

Where the shower wall tiles meet the wall panelling

We all know tiles and particularly tiling, add up in a bathroom reno. In a bid to avoid some of this cost, as well as the time and mess involved in a “real” bathroom reno (I have limited patience!), we decided to tile over the existing tiles (which is perfectly fine to do if your tiles are sound), and we did that with the floor tiles. The new floor tiles from TileCloud are as similar as we could find to the ones we used in the main bathroom.

We never considered DIY-ing this part and left it to a professional tiler. And yes, we waterproofed underneath, especially as we also took the opportunity to remove the hob around the shower! It was reassuring to find a quality copper fold shower tray underneath! The tilers did our laundry and front porch at the same time which cost less than doing the three jobs separately.

These tiles are very similar to those in our main bathroom and I adore the texture

Despite this whole tile-on-tile situation making me stress out a bit over how it would come together, it all worked out really well. We also tiled over the tiles within the shower itself. Again, we chose tiles as similar as we could to what we used in the main bathroom, again from TileCloud, for some continuity, keeping it all very simple and clean.

No fancy in-wall cistern here, just a new, slimline toilet to save money!

Where we really saved money (and also got a great look aesthetically), was in going over the remaining wall tiles with VJ panelling (which we painted the same blue/grey as the other VJ in our kitchen, dining and living rooms). While floor to ceiling tiles always look great, they’re really not that necessary unless you plan on throwing water around your room in a big way! And of course the cost of the tiles, and the tiler, adds up.

I initially planned for this paneling to be painted the same navy as our bedroom in order to achieve a nice flow from one room to the other, but I made a last minute call to go grey instead because I felt the dark blue would overpower the small room. I think this was a good call. The lesson learned here was not to feel you have to stick rigidly to your plan! Although we already had the navy paint and it feels a waste (I’ll find somewhere to use it with my love of navy!), we had leftover grey paint so thankfully it didn’t cost us any more.

We used clear silicone around the sink

We didn’t use Intrim’s VJ Board Pro in here (like we used in the living room) because MDF and wet rooms are not a match made in heaven. Intrim advised that a much more sensible option was their timber lining boards (their LB03 lining board in 185mm wide panels) which click together and come pre-primed and ready to paint any colour you like.

We kept everything in the same spot, just replacing with new, to save time and money.

The trickiest part of this entire room was working out how to attach the lining boards safely to the wall, covering the tiles, and how and where the shower tiles would meet the panelling without looking clunky. Lucky I had my superstar tradesman Trent Ayton from Pure Renovation Group on hand to come up with the solution because I sure didn’t have a clue! He didn’t feel that simply gluing the panels onto the wall tiles and adding a chair rail was secure enough.

In progress

He explains: “We made sure the existing tiles were sound and cleaned them well. Then we used a U-shaped metal tile trim that was both glued and screwed onto the existing tiled walls, then fit the VJ using quality adhesive. We used the same trim top and bottom and painted this the same as the timber so it all blends in well and you don’t even notice it’s metal.”

Trent looked after everything except the tiling, plumbing and electrical (really just replacing light switches and sockets with new, disconnecting the old mirror light and connecting the new, under-vanity LED light. Trent also gave me very helpful direction on which trades I needed and when in the process, allowing me to confidently project manage the job myself and save a lot of money.

We had hoped to use a Bunnings off the shelf shower screen (we replaced what was there when we moved in with one of these because the door kept getting stuck!) but after tiling over tiles on the wall and floor, things were not plumb enough! So that cost us more than we hoped ($800) but having semi-frameless does look much more streamlined.

The LED light adds a touch of luxury in an otherwise quite basic en suite

The look and feel of this bathroom is very clean, light and modern (but also quite classic!). I really love the look of the VJ panels and I feel we added some important warmth and a bit of wow-factor with the beautiful vanity and mirror cabinet (thanks to Matt Michel for suggesting this size and style and letting me bounce ideas!) from The Blue Space. I loved that we were able to customise these Timberline products online, choosing options like the LED lighting (which is perfect for going to the bathroom in the middle of the night!), a white ceramic waste (which we also have in the main) and the timber veneer colour, which I’m thrilled with. I also love how the timber veneer is the same on the outside of the mirror cabinet to match the vanity below. It’s a very similar look to our more expensive solid timber vanity in the main bathroom.

I much prefer the view from our bedroom now!

We decided to use chrome tapware rather than matching the brass in the main bathroom, mainly to save money on having to replace the shower, and gold shower options are limited. We also avoided moving any plumbing unless we really had to (we had to move the plumbing up behind the vanity because we replaced a floor standing one with a floating option). We chose Meir tapware though, as we have for our kitchen, laundry and main bathroom, because we love the look and quality and it provided continuity in style if not colour. The wall hooks, towel rail and toilet roll holder are also from them.

I am delighted to say someone took the old vanity off our hands via Freecycle (who doesn’t hate landfill?) although the same cannot be said for the old toilet with the padded seat!

To avoid drilling into two layers of tiles (nerve-racking much? Plus, maintaining the integrity of the waterproofing), I researched the suction options and this Fusion-Loc brand from Bunnings (about $40) gets rave reviews, actually stays on, doesn’t rust and looks pretty good for a stick on option!

Every decision we made with this bathroom was a careful weigh-up between aesthetics and cost. This bathroom is not the showstopper the main bathroom is, but it wasn’t intended to be and frankly, we didn’t need it to be. We do really love it though, and the colour palette means it’s really light and bright, a far cry from the beige and brown!

However, as it didn’t end up being a navy bathroom to tie in with the navy master bedroom, I’m now thinking about re-painting the bedroom the same blue-grey to tie it back in with the bathroom (It never ends in this house!)! I have loved having a dark and moody bedroom but maybe I’m ready for a change! Dark walls also show up dust!

We finished off with a few accessories from my favourites Oliver Thom, including the navy Zone bin, Skandinavisk toiletries and Norm toilet brush. The Angus & Celeste pink jelly planter was a Christmas gift from my dad and adds a nice pop of colour.

We are replacing our old windows later this year and I’m looking forward to swapping the older sliding window (nicely hidden behind the shutters) with louvres. At this point, I’ll probably ditch the shutters as privacy and keeping light out aren’t considerations and louvres and shutters would be a bit much. What do you think?

I hope you get some ideas from our semi-budget en suite reno! Feel free to ask any questions in the comments!

The finer details

Vanity: 900mm Timberline Nevada Plus Wall Hung Vanity with Alpha Ceramic Top from The Blue Space.

Mirror cabinet: 600mm Timberline Jazz Arch shaving Cabinet from The Blue Space

We chose the Tasmanian Oak Woodmatt finish for both the above

Tiles: (Floor) Byron Travertine Look Ivory Matt and (Wall) Newport Gloss Large Square from TileCloud

Wall panelling: Intrim’s LB03 lining board in the 185mm wide panels

End trim to fix the panels to the wall: Roberts 12mm x 3.3m end trim from Bunnings

Paint: Chinchilla Fur in semi gloss from Haymes Paint (panels) and Light Frost by Haymes Paint (walls).

Taps, towel rail, robe hooks and toilet roll holder: from Meir

Trades: Pure Renovation Group

Accessories: Oliver Thom and (towels) Aura Home.

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How to paint a bath tub

By Naomi Findlay

Let’s face it, bathrooms should be spaces of zen and relaxation. No matter how big or small, every home deserves a beautiful, practical bathroom. Rather than spending big on major renovations (bathroom renovations and dollar signs go hand in hand), there are some simple changes you can do to update the look and feel of your bathroom – starting with the tub. Today, we share how to paint a bath tub.

Bath tubs are built to withstand endless hours of bath time, but that baby pink shade of enamel (or turquoise in Jen’s new reno!)? Not so much. Save yourself the hassle (and dollars) involved with ripping out your dated or worn-out bathtub by giving it a fresh lick of paint instead! A DIY paint job can not only give your bathtub a facelift, but also help protect the enamel so you can enjoy it for years to come.

Source: http://adrianned-onedayatatime.blogspot.com.au Click through for more

Stock up
Unlike DIY paint jobs involving tiles or cabinets, most bathtubs are of a similar size – meaning no calculations are needed to work out how much paint you will use. Just one pack of White Knight Tub ‘n’ Tile should adequately cover your whole tub (unless it is in really poor form, in which case you may need two packs).

Clean
Preparing your tub’s surface is a crucial step in a successful DIY makeover. Use an abrasive scrubber to blitz away any soap scum or bath oils that may be lurking on your tub – taking care not to overlook the drainage hole.

Source: thermoglazing.com Click through for more

Sand
Sanding is probably one of the more tedious steps in a bathtub makeover, and one that may be tempting to skip. However, a proper sand will ensure that your newly painted tub won’t start flaking and cracking after a couple of uses. Use some sandpaper (or an electric sander) to roughen up your tub’s surface – the aim here is to remove that glossy enamel finish. Chipped paint can lead to rust or damage to the rest of the finish, so be sure to carefully sand back any bumps or cracks.

To finish off, rinse the tub with warm water and let it dry before giving the tub a wipe down with some rust guard solvent for an ultraclean finish.

Protect
Use painter’s tape to protect the tiles surrounding the edges of your bathtub from paint, and lay down some drop sheets (or rags) on the floor. Wrap the taps and faucets in some plastic bags, securing with an elastic band (or hairband) – there is nothing worse than starting a paintjob and then dealing with a leaking tap. Also, don’t forget to tape your metal drain cover (unless you want to give it a makeover too).

BEFORE

AFTER
Source: My Creative Days. Click through for more

Paint
White Knight’s Tub ‘n’ Tile consists of two parts. Prepare two sealable containers (preferably glass) – one of these containers should be large enough to hold both parts A and B. Use this container to stir together both parts for at least five minutes (yes, five whole minutes!). Pour half of this mixture into your second container, seal both containers tightly and place one of them in the fridge, leaving the other out in room temperature. After an hour, stir up the room temperature paint for another five minutes, then get ready to paint!

Starting from the bottom of the bath tub, use a bristle brush to layer the paint in a criss-cross motion. Leave the first coat to dry for at least a day to a day and a half (depending on how warm or cold the temperature is).

Pull your second container of paint out of the fridge about an hour before applying your second coat. Give this container yet another five-minute stir, then apply in the same way as the first coat.

You will have to quarantine the bathtub for a full five days before using again, and keep the plastic bags covering the taps until the tub is ready for use.

That’s it! Treat yourself to a good, long bath in your shiny new tub.

How to paint tiles

–Naomi Findlay is Australia’s rapid renovation expert, an internationally renowned renovator, award-winning property stylist and speaker.She’s an industry leader in creating healthy wealthy spaces and creating wealth and profit from renovating property. Naomi is CEO of staging company Silk Home and founder and principal of education provider, the International Institute of Home Staging (IIHS).

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Bathrooms Expert Tips RENO ADDICT

How to paint tiles and save a fortune!

AFTER

By Naomi Findlay

It’s no secret that kitchens and bathrooms are the highlights of the modern home. A tacky blue tile in the shower or 70s floral design can make your home look tired and dated. Before you take out a second loan and throw a sledgehammer at those eyesores, there is a quick and easy way to freshen up your bathroom – without leaving you shower-less for a month or hurting the hip pocket.

The budget-friendly fix? Tile paint. If your bathroom tiles are free from chips, cracks and other major damage, a simple refinish with White Knight tile paint can quickly turn your bathroom from drab to “va-va-voom” (as Neale Whitaker would say). Not only will you give your tiles a new lease on life, you will also help the environment by keeping them from becoming landfill.

Click on the image to see more of this amazing bathroom transformation using tile paint by The Painted Hive (before photo below).

The before

Clean, repair and prepare

Before you crack open that tin of paint, remember: preparation is the key to success. A DIY refinish can quickly turn into a DIY disaster if you decide to skimp on the pre-painting steps. Think of this as an essential ingredient to the perfect cake – miss it, and the whole cake won’t turn out.

As clean as your tiles may look, a thorough spray and scrub using White Knight’s tile and laminate cleaner will ensure your tiles are squeaky clean and ready for their grand makeover (think residual soap scum or bath oils). Zap away any pesky mould with bleach, and fill in any grout or tile cracks with fresh grout or poly filler. If a tile is badly damaged, replace it with a tile of the same size – you don’t have to worry about matching the colour as it will be painted over anyway!

Use tape (you can go fancy with painter’s tape or use any masking tape you may have lying around) to protect non-tiled walls and taps, and lay down drop sheets (old blankets and rugs will work) in the bath tub and floor. The goal is to protect these parts from an accidental paint makeover.

Measure up

Before you can begin sprucing up your bathroom tiles, you need to calculate the amount of paint required for your DIY. Since everybody’s bathroom (and the amount of tiles in it) is different, buying a tin and hoping for the best is probably not the right way to go. Luckily, there is an easy way to determine how much paint you will actually need to use. Just multiply the length and height of the tiled walls, divide everything by 12 and voila! The final number is the amount (in litres) of paint that you will need.

Prime

Once your tiles are clean and any cracks and gaps have been filled in, it is time to prime. White Knight’s tile and laminate primer provides a base coat that helps your final coat of paint stick to the tiles and prevents peeling and scratching (ensuring your DIY efforts aren’t wasted when the kids knock the tiles during bath time). It also contains an anti-mould ingredient to further protect your refreshed tiles.

Use a roller to zig-zag the primer across your tiles, finishing off corners and edges with a paint brush. Avoid painting straight from the tin, otherwise you will ruin the primer for future use – use a rolling tray instead. The key here is to focus on small sections at a time to ensure good coverage. Just two coats of primer four hours apart, a light sand after each (wait for the coat to dry first!), and you are ready to paint.

BEFORE (Pic source: Littlepinknotebook.com)

AFTER

Paint

The beauty of White Knight’s tile paint is that you can tint it to whatever colour you want, as well as enjoy either a traditional glossy finish, or opt for a satin effect (with their laminate paint option). Apply your paint in the same manner as your primer: use a roller and tray, and paint brush for corners and edges. Zig-zag your first coat, leave to dry for six hours, then finish off with a light sand before applying the second coat using long strokes. Stir your paint every now and then – it will prevent streaks and help you achieve a smooth finish. And remember: two thin coats are better than one thick one!

Your beautiful new tiles will be fully cured in a week, so take extra care to avoid bumps or harsh cleaners. If you would like to create a little contrast between your tiles and grout, simply apply White Knight’s grout pen to the grout.

Clean up

With so much focus on preparing your tiles and bathroom, it can be easy to forget about the actual equipment you use. Paint brushes, rollers, sponges and trays should be washed as soon as you are finished with them – unless you don’t mind throwing them out after one use! However, after your bathroom revamp, you might just get itching to make over your kitchen tiles next!

–Naomi Findlay is Australia’s rapid renovation expert, an internationally renowned renovator, award-winning property stylist and speaker.She’s an industry leader in creating healthy wealthy spaces and creating wealth and profit from renovating property. Naomi is CEO of staging company Silk Home and founder and principal of education provider, the International Institute of Home Staging (IIHS).

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Bathrooms Expert Tips

Real homes: Two bathrooms transformed for just $3000 and $8000

AFTER

By Cherie Barber

A bathroom can be one of the most trade-intensive rooms in the house to renovate – and that traditionally means high labour costs. Expect your bathroom to be out of action for anywhere from one to three weeks, depending on the scale of the reno and any unforeseen problems that might arise.

A typical bathroom renovation can cost anywhere between $10,000 and $30,000 – unless, of course, you are smart with your shortcuts, in which case you can whittle your budget down to under $5000. And you’ll be talking days, not weeks, of work. Here are the five essentials of a cosmetic bathroom refresh.

Retain and rework

The minute you start ripping things out in a bathroom you’re asking for trouble. There’s ancient plumbing, asbestos, old electricals and decrepit walls to possibly contend with, which is why the budget on a full bathroom reno can easily spiral out of control. So the trick for a cosmetic refresh is to look at working with what you have as much as possible and replacing the bare minimum.

Amazing paint

If the main problem is simply that the bathroom looks dated, you can achieve a lot simply with the right paints. There’s specialty paints for vanity, tiles, sinks and baths. Together with painting the walls and ceilings in modern colours, a transformation can be pulled off for a few hundred dollars. And if you’re handy and meticulous with your finishes, you can probably DIY the lot yourself. That’s zero labour costs and no tradesmen traipsing through your property.

Replace the minimum

The next cheapest approach is to swap out a few key items. Bulky, old-style toilets take up a lot of unnecessary space, don’t have the water-efficiency of new ones and are just plain ugly. You can buy a smart new one that conceals all the inner workings for under $500. New vanities and baths are often on special, especially old stock and internet bargains, and as long as you work with your existing plumbing, won’t cost the earth to replace. Just be sure you use a licensed plumber for the install.

Glass distinction

Shower curtains are a thing of the past, not least because they are mould traps and have no place in a streamlined, modern bathroom. You can pick up fabulous looking frameless glass shower screens for under $500 online, so that’s a no-brainer.

Tile action

There’s no doubt that tiles can be one of the biggest wow factors in a bathroom, especially now the trend is moving away from clinical all-white bathrooms. Shop around for run-out stock, where they may have limited tiles left of popular lines, and you can pick up fantastic-looking tiles for under $20/sq m. The main cost will be labour: waterproofing and tiling. However, in a small bathroom, the dramatic impact versus financial outlay can be well worth the investment, especially given how much value a contemporary bathroom can add.

At the end of the day, you’re looking for a finished product that looks spectacularly neat, clinically clean, thoroughly modern, but for a price that belies the before and after transformation.

Here are two bathroom projects I’ve recently completed that show just what can be achieved on a modest budget.

BATHROOM 1

BEFORE

AFTER

What we did:

  • Modernise the bathroom joinery by adding trim to the doors, new hardware and laminate paint.
  • Install laminate benchtop and dual vanity.
  • Install new feature lights to the vanity area.
  • Waterproof and retile the bathroom floor and walls.
  • Install freestanding bath, open shower and new toilet.
  • Install new bathroom fixtures and fittings.

Total cost: approx. $8000

BATHROOM 2

BEFORE

AFTER

What we did:

  • Replace old shower screen with clear glass
  • Install new removable timber floor
  • Install new mirrored wall hung cabinets.
  • Paint tiles, walls and ceiling
  • Install new bathroom vanity.

Total cost: $2250 

–Cherie Barber is the director of Renovating for Profit, a company that teaches everyday people how to buy and renovate properties for a profit.