Tag: tiling

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Interiors Addict

Fish scale tiles: some of our favourite examples

Image: Pinterest / Inside Out Magazine

Fish scale tiles (also known as scallop, mermaid or fan tiles) are one of my favourite tile shapes at the moment. Sophisticated yet still playful, you may have seen this trend popping up in your Instagram and Pinterest feeds.

Whereas typical mermaid trends generally feature pastel and candy colours, the key to avoiding an overly feminine-look is to use tasteful, muted tones or a deep navy and blue colour palette.

Here’s my Pinterest roundup of some of my favourite spaces that have embraced the fish scale effect.

The colour pop

Image Credit: Three Birds Renovations
Image: Pinterest/Inside Out Magazine
Image credit: H&M Home (UK)

The white kitchen

Image Credit: Sally Rhys Jones
Image: Pinterest/Beta Home

The modern bathroom

Julie and Sasha’s bathroom from The Block 2016. Image Credit: Channel 9 Australia
Image: Pinterest/Kyle and Kara

The old-world bathroom

Image: Pinterest/Style By Emily Henderson
Image Credit: Amy Bartlam for Rosa Beltran Design

What do you think of the fish scale tiling trend? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comment section below.

For more Pinterest inspiration: Check out our roundup of monochrome kitchens & bathrooms

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Bathrooms Expert Tips RENO ADDICT

Three Birds Renovations on being creative with tiles

main bathroom

Lauded for their fabulous renovation projects, Three Birds Renovations recently undertook their biggest project yet – the home of the company’s creative director Bonnie Hindmarsh. Located on five acres in Sydney’s Hills District, the sprawling self-described ‘modern coastal barn’ is home to her family of six and brings the designer’s love of coastal style to the country.

And while the home boasts multiple swoon-worthy features, its tiles are at the top of the list. Sourced entirely from National Tiles in Melbourne, the lineup includes penny round, subway, ceramic and terracotta tiles laid in random, herringbone, grid and brick fashion. Proving that stunning results can arise just as much from the type of tiles selected as from the way in which they are laid, Bonnie shares her creative tile tips below…

“Many of our previous renovations have been flip houses so when we were tiling we kept the patterns fairly simple so that they appeal to a wide range of buyers. But when you’re designing a forever home, you’ve got license to be more creative in tile choices and how you lay them. At the end of the day you’ve got to love them because you’ve got to live with them,” says Bonnie.

“You can turn a room from drab to fab depending on the way you lay the tiles and in my forever home, there was no way I was going to be conservative in my choices,” she adds.

Herringbone
“The herringbone pattern is a gorgeous way to accentuate a plain rectangular tile,” says Bonnie, who chose a subtle apricot gloss tile, laid in a herringbone pattern, for the laundry. “The decision to lay them like that, rather than the stretcher bond pattern we often see for subway tiles, adds so much detail and interest to my over-sized laundry.”

Laundry
Laundry

The tiles on the laundry room floor are also herringbone, but smaller-scale mosaics. “The Carrara marble white tiles are laid in sheets so there’s no fuss for your tiler to create a perfect herringbone pattern with tiny tiles.” Genius!

laundry herringbone
A closer look at the floor tile

When it came to the gorgeous pale blue powder room, Bonnie chose to lay the tiles in a herringbone pattern again. “The stunning Cotto Glamour Rombo feature wall tiles in the powder room are diamond shaped and could have been laid in a number of ways. I chose to create a herringbone pattern with these tiles too, for maximum detail and impact on the wall.”

powder room
Powder room

Straight
If pattern isn’t your thing, you can always play it straight and Bonnie’s laundry tub is a great example of this. Purpose built to wash her beloved dogs, the tub features square tiles in two colours – apricot and greige. “The tub is laid in a straight lay, an almost basic pattern, but the two complementary colours make this feature look anything but ordinary,” says Bonnie.

The laundry tub features straight lay tiling to great effect

The main bathroom features some straight lay too. “The shower is also tiled in a straight (sometimes called stack bond) pattern, but you’d never guess,” says Bonnie of the randomly placed Crayon Bianco Matt and Crayon Azzurro Gloss tiles that combine to create a feature that is truly stunning.

main bathroom

Ceiling mosaics
It’s an unusual choice but Bonnie’s home features a number of ceilings covered in mosaic tiles, and it works.“I immediately fell in love with the pillar of Carrara marble white diamond tiles in National Tiles’ Melbourne showroom and knew they’d be perfect to wrap right around the shower in the ensuite, ceiling included.”

ensuite
Ensuite

And boy are they beautiful!

mosaics
Close-up

The main bathroom features another mosaic-covered ceiling but this time the adornment is a marble penny round tile. “The vision for the main bathroom was inspired by an underground train station and the Carrara white penny rounds were perfect for covering the huge curved ceiling, walls and floor,” says Bonnie.

Main bathroom
Main bathroom

Basket weave
Bonnie chose to use the basket weave tile lay pattern for the first time ever in her boys’ ensuite bathroom and it’s a gamble that has paid off. It’s also a great example of how you can make a simple tile look interesting if you lay it in a creative way. “Get creative! Even if you’re on a tight budget, the simplest of tiles can create a standout feature, if laid well.”

boys' bathroom
Boys’ bathroom – the navy gloss tiles make a standout feature wall and ceiling in the shower

More on National Tiles | More on Three Birds Renovations

 

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Bathrooms Expert Tips The Block

Tradies weigh in on Sunday’s Block tiling stuff up

Bostik Boys, tradies Mark Menagatti (AKA Spaghetti) on the left and Adrian Franchina

By Mark Menegatti

The Block can make a tradie’s job look easy by smashing out big jobs in just a week. As a builder with 14 years’ experience, I can vouch that a real tradie’s life means starting before dawn and coming home after dark without any TV cameras around.

Bostik Boys, tradies Mark Menegatti (AKA Spaghetti) on the right and Adrian Franchina

On Sunday, we saw Spence from apartment 1, who is a full-time building contractor, struggle with tiling the main bathroom, which landed his wife Kerrie and himself in fourth place. On behalf of tradies everywhere, our poor bloke Spence and Kerrie deserve some slack.

Tradies and DIYers can both learn from Spence’s mistake. Working on The Block is not an easy task, especially with the short the timeframes. With the help of Bostik, I wanted to set the record straight on why tiling issues like these can happen and how to best avoid them.

Planning out your job in advance

Spence and Kerrie’s finished bathroom is modern, light and airy, while being deemed functional with judge Shaynna claiming it was done by perfectionists. Righto!

From a tradie’s point of view, I would agree with the judges. Spence did a great job with the tiling, with the exception of the grout lines not lining up between the walls and flooring.

The real error was that Spence and Kerrie simply took on too much and were overwhelmed by the scope of work.

Tradies’ solution:

  • Prepare the base sub floor and wall using a laser which would have given an accurate guide for tile placement.
  • Have a professionally waterproofed area
  • Determine tile layout on walls and floor prior to applying adhesive.
  • Chalk out tiles on floor to match wall tiles.
  • Place all full tiles and then cut in where required.
  • Finish off with grout and caulking.

Spence could have alleviated pressure by listening to builder Norm’s solution to use “rapid glue for tiling” and applying Bostik ASA Superglue tile adhesive. This would have seen the tile adhesive cure quickly, while speeding up down time for other works to be completed.

Stick to jobs you are good at

Even the most skilled tradies will call a mate or professional to do certain jobs they are not comfortable or don’t have time to do.

Given the large load and short timeframe, Spence’s time would be better spent doing tasks more familiar to him like framing and cabinetry installation, applying mirrors and shelving, and styling to complement professionally finished tiling.

Tradies’ solution:

For tiling a bathroom, when it comes to sand and cement screeds on the floor, this should always be done by a professional. If the screed mix isn’t the correct ratio, it does not bond to the subfloor and becomes drummy.

This means it will crumble and not provide a solid base to lay the tiling. Waterproofing should also always be done by a professional.

If completed incorrectly this can make the area susceptible to leaks, leading to longterm structural damage and rotting of structures.

Credit where credit is due

I give Spence credit for trying to do his own tiling for the main bathroom. On a show like The Block, his clients are the viewers. Therefore, he is trying to leave a good first impression to the client by displaying his workmanship and quality control.

With such a small amount of time, even the most skilled tradies can stuff up.

As a tradie, I would recommend anyone who is looking to renovate to stick to what you know and do it well, use the right products and focus on staying within budget. If you listen to these tips, you are more likely to achieve the results you want within the desired timeframe.

–Bostik Boy Mark Menegatti is owner of MRM construction. Bostik is a key supplier of The Block this season, to give contestants with the right products to finish their apartments.

Categories
Bathrooms

4 real bathrooms to inspire your home design

There’s nothing better than being inspired by real bathrooms. I’m talking spaces that are beautiful but most importantly practical, that are used every day and not just knocked up for a photoshoot. These bathrooms work! And are perfect for kickstarting your design plans if you need a push in the right direction. Check out four fabulous examples below.

Complete indulgence: Teneriffe, QLD

Often we feel the need to book into a day spa to truly pamper ourselves, when in fact achieving spa style luxury at home can be as easy as selecting a few quality pieces. This bathroom is the perfect example of embracing the finer things in life, with its stunning freestanding bath turning routine into ritual. The speckled greys and stone hues of the marble tiles brings a moody, soothing feel, while touches of timber add a rich warmth.

Design: Purdy Developments | Build: Tonic Projects

Textual takeover: Ivanhoe, Vic

This oasis of modern tranquillity has a strong design aesthetic. Pale grey tiles fit inside a largely monochrome colour palate to give off a cool atmosphere. Benchtops and cabinets draped in greys and timber work in unison to give off a sleek and polished feel. Artistic features are abundant in this contemporary bathroom, which successfully fuses sharp edges with delicate accessories.

Design: Pioneering Bathroom Designs | Build: Den Interior Designs

Dark vs. light: Austinmer, NSW

Taking a tonal exploration to the extreme, these two tiled-up bathrooms create big impact with bold shades, sleek profiles and simple, purposeful design. The main bathroom employs a restrained colour palette that keeps the room feeling spacious and bright. A generous vanity stretches the length of the room, in warm timber that introduces a natural element to the space. Concealed behind connecting doorways are the washroom and toilet spaces, cohesive in their monochrome colour schemes.

Over in the ensuite and it’s all about drama with moody colours and edgy fittings; seen in the bold charcoal hexagonal tiling and matte black tapware, hooks and rails. The dark tones are brought to life with a warm timber bench top, a feature piece that is the centre point of the bathroom. A crisp white ceramic basin pops against the charcoal and wooden tones, and is a modern addition with its thin edge design.

Build: Icon Projects

Reece products were used throughout the designs. For more information.

Bathroom inspo

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Bathrooms Design RENO ADDICT Styling

Look to your heart to avoid styler’s remorse

There’s nothing worse than a patchwork décor, where you’ve let your imagination run wild to the degree you’ve created home disharmony!

The most successful, feel good decors give a sense of flow, space and cohesion. That’s not to say each room has to be the same – far from it – but the rooms need to work together to tell a story about the entire home.

shapes-origami-white-satin-250x250-prices-from-109-00-per-m2-1

Beaumont Tiles know renovators and re-doers spend a lot of time researching. According to communications & design specialist, Christie Wood, the company records one million plus page views on its website each month.

“Choosing a décor is one of the hardest jobs you’ll have around the home because it is so subjective and your choices can sometimes depend on the mood you’re in on a particular day,” she said.

Avoid styler’s remorse with Christie’s tips and tricks.

Don’t overcapitalise on your creativity. Know where to draw the line and err on the side of simplicity.

Build your masterpiece over time. Rome wasn’t built in a day and if you’re no decorating wiz, choose one fabulous stand out feature piece and add to it over time – a much safer option than trying to create an instant masterpiece and getting it completely wrong!

615006-borgogna-bianco-gl-porc-rect-597x597-prices-from-66-50

Don’t outsource to a friend or relative. This is your home, your style. If you are outsourcing, make sure you give firm input about the atmosphere and ambience that’s going to make you happy.

Find your happy space. You have to be comfortable in your surroundings and it has to balance with your personality so go with your heart. Close your eyes – are you happiest at a beach, in the snow, in a hipster café with a steaming joe? Do you find beauty in raw, natural landscapes, or does a five star hotel float your boat? Or maybe you love different formations and shapes. Use this personal intel to guide your happy space. Check out Beaumont Tiles whatstyleamI.com.au to help figure it out.

1000239-scales-neon-coral-120x120-prices-from-14-50-each-1

Choose the golden threads that will pull it together.  In design there are some basic rules that will centre your décor and decision making. Think of how you are going to apply or arrange your elements. It may be using contrast or emphasis with your colour scheme you use (in various intensities) throughout your home. It may be a particular repeated shape – for example geometrics. Or you could choose a genre, like art deco and create a harmony in your room.

Are you a risk taker? This one’s easy. If you take risks generally in, then take a risk with a dramatic background canvas. If you generally don’t push the envelope, now’s probably not the time so choose a more neutral background, and take a risk with an easily replaced feature item such as a rug or pendant lighting.  There’s still plenty of beautify neutrals in shapes and textures, even natural stones, that will make your home a masterpiece to be admired.

1001656-aura-jet-black-gloss-100x300-prices-from-69-95-per-m2

Find out more here.

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Bathrooms Decorating 101 RENO ADDICT

How long does a bathroom reno REALLY take and why?

By Sarah Nolen

I, like anyone, am a true fan of a great before & after makeover. And that’s exactly what reality TV has harnessed. The fact that you’re reading this article now assures me that you’ve been accustomed to fast-tracked renovation shows that are showcased every evening for our viewing pleasure.

The reason why they show bathrooms completely stripped out and made afresh in only a few episodes is because there is no way on earth they’d maintain your attention if you were to sit through a real life renovation. For one, it takes a considerable amount of time and two, it would be boring. The real world of design and construction is a lot less drama filled, but hey that’s the power of reality TV, who are they going to fight with next?

Keep in mind too that they also have a huge workforce on TV shows to speed up the process: double the carpenters, plumbers and electricians. This economically would not work in a typical domestic setting due to substantial additional costs.

In my 11 years’ experience working as an interior designer, I’ve designed and project managed countless bathrooms, some small and some bigger and more complex than the average sized apartment. It’s fair to say the process is very similar whether you’re completing a simple facelift or recreating the Taj Mahal. All of the same trades are going to enter the bathroom area and essentially complete the same tasks.

In my first appointment with clients, I always give a clear indication of how long a project is due to take. And when I say ‘your bathroom from start to finish will take approximately six weeks’ I get a look of utter shock. If you’re a designer or builder, I know you’ll be nodding your head in agreement. Reality TV has completely thrown out any realistic expectations for how long renovations take.

The aim of this article is to break it down for you so that you can be fully prepared and understand exactly what it takes to get yourself a new bathroom. I’ve team up with Terence Otter from Seacliff Constructions who has just completed a stunning bathroom for me. We’ve both been doing this a long time so we like to think we know what we’re on about.

In a residential setting, there are generally two types of builders. The first type will work on one job at a time. Once that job is complete, they move on to their next project. This allows their tradespeople to be working on your bathroom full time, which means overall the project timeline will be shorter.

The second type of builder (which I find to be more common) will work on a number of projects at a time. They schedule their work so that their tradespeople are constantly working but going from one job to another throughout the week. In this instance, there may be a day or two where you don’t have anyone working on site. For any domestic builder, they are more often than not smaller working teams. This enables a shorter rein for the builder to be able to move and shuffle their tradespeople about.

Below, Terence and I have worked out the basic schedule of trades for a typical bathroom renovation. At the bottom, we’ve estimated the total weeks it would take dependant on which type of builder you engage.

TYPE 1 / One project at a time.

TYPE 2/ Multiple projects at a time

DEMOLITION

The first thing a builder is going to look at is the existing space and what materials it is built from. This will give an indication of the timing for the demolition stage. Timber studs and sheeted walls are much quicker to work with than solid brick walls. During the demolition stage, the installation of structural beams to support change of walls or new windows will also take place.

TYPE 1 BUILDER: 2-3 days

TYPE 2 BUILDER-: 4-5 days

If asbestos is found, it will need to be professionally removed. Allow an additional 1-2 days’ work.

PLUMBERS  & ELECTRICIANS ‘ROUGH IN’

2. Basin plumbing

Once we have the bare structure, we then can get plumbers and electricians involved. They will begin their rough in of the plumbing points in the walls and floor and the wiring for the electrical work.

TYPE 1 BUILDER: 1-2 days

TYPE 2 BUILDER: 3-4 days

PREPARATION FOR TILING

Depending on the tiles you’ve selected, larger sizes will need straighter walls then smaller ones. Wall needs to be straightened and strengthened. At this time, the installation of new windows, doors and wall niches will take place. A cement slab (known as a tiling bed) will be installed, and must be completely dry before the waterproofing stage.

TYPE 1 BUILDER: 1-2 days

TYPE 2 BUILDER: 2-3 days

SHEETING

Now we’re ready to sheet the walls and ceilings.

TYPE 1 BUILDER: 1 day

TYPE 2 BUILDER: 1-2 days

WATERPROOFING

Once the sheets are installed, the waterproofer comes in and waterproofs the room as required. This ensures a tight water seal for years to come and no leaking showers! Waterproofing takes at least 24 hours to completely dry, this can be at least a 2-day process for 2-3 coats.

TYPE 1 BUILDER: 2-3 days

TYPE 2 BUILDER: 3-4 days

TILING

The tiler spends the morning setting out the tiles. This is an important part, ensuring that the tiles are cut where they need to be (fall to the shower grate etc) and balance throughout the room. Note, I generally tile floor to ceiling for the walls. Once the tiling is complete, the shower screen can be measured ready for manufacture.

TYPE 1 BUILDER: 5 days

TYPE 2 BUILDER: 7 days

FINISHING OF TILES

Now that the tiles are in place on the floor and walls, it’s time for them to be grouted and siliconed at the critical joints.

TYPE 1 BUILDER: 1-2 days

TYPE 2 BUILDER: 3 days

TRIMS & PAINTING

If you have new doors or windows, the timber architraves will now be installed. Once they are in place, the painter arrives to paint them along with the door and ceiling.

TYPE 1 BUILDER: 1 day

TYPE 2 BUILDER: 1-2 days

PLUMBING FIT OFF

3. Bath getting installed

The items that require plumbing have already been roughed in, so now it’s time to install them and connect them all up. These items include the toilet, bath, basin, tapware and finishing the drainage underfloor.

TYPE 1 BUILDER: 1 day

TYPE 2 BUILDER: 1-2 days

ELECTRICAL FIT OFF

As with the plumbing, the electrical items have already been roughed in. The electrician is now back to install the light fittings, switches, fans, and heated towel ladder.

TYPE 1 BUILDER: 1 day

TYPE 2 BUILDER: 1-2 days’

ACCESSORIES

4. After Shot

We’re now well and truly on the home stretch. The accessories like the toilet paper holder, hand towel rail, robe hooks etc can be put in place. The shower screen and mirror are also installed on this day. Once everything is in place, your bathroom is now ready for a final clean. Once it’s looking sparkly, it’s ready for use.

TYPE 1 BUILDER: 1 day

TYPE 2 BUILDER: 1-2 days

TOTAL APPROXIMATE TIMEFRAME:

TYPE 1 BUILDER: 3-4 WEEKS

TYPE 2 BUILDER: 6-7 WEEKS.

–Sarah Nolen is an interior designer with 13 years’ experience, founder of Birdblack Design in Wollongong.

Kitchen reno timeline: Exactly what to expect!

Unless you’ve undertaken a kitchen renovation, it can be difficult to understand just how many steps are involved, and just how long they take. But this is where the experts…

Interiors Addict bathroom reno 2: what I chose and why

There is so much to share about my recent bathroom reno and I couldn’t possibly fit it all into the reveal post, so I’m sharing a little more detail today,…
Categories
Kitchens RENO ADDICT

How to: Be creative with white tiles

Luxurious kitchen with stainless steel appliances in a apartment

While there are a huge variety of tiles on the market, when building or renovating, most of us end up playing it safe with basic white.

1001649 Divine White Bevel Gloss Price Per SQM from 69.95 LIFETYLE
“It’s a safe canvas and one we probably revert to when the choice of colour becomes overwhelming,” says Christie Wood, Beaumont Tiles’ communications and design specialist. Whether it’s concern about property resale or a simple reluctance to try something new, white is still the most popular colour tile by a mile.

97704 Mosaic Mono Hexagonal White Price Each from 6.50

But it’s a look that needn’t be sterile and boring, provided you use texture and pattern to create depth and interest. “A successful all-white space uses texture, colour and pattern and it’s an exciting way to experiment with different aspects, shapes and design,” says Christie who maintains that you can still achieve a safe and timeless all-white backdrop without compromising on creativity.

1000150 Alba Cubico White Gloss Struc Rect Price Per SQM 52.95 LIFESTYLE
“The biggest mistake people make is choosing the wrong shade of white. Determine your desired ambience first and then pick a shade to create it. Warm whites tend to have a yellow, red or brown undertone for a warm and cosy atmosphere while cool whites have a grey, blue or green undertone bringing light to dark spaces,” says Christie.

Luxurious kitchen with stainless steel appliances in a apartment
Another key consideration is your choice of material – try to think beyond porcelain. “Tiles are made of many materials from ceramics to polished marbles and gorgeous natural limestones too,” says Christie who believe that layering white tiles of differing materials is key to achieving a luxurious look.

1000745 Delicate Patch White Insert Gloss Price Per Square Meter from 199
Also, tiles are no longer just available in square and rectangle iterations. “Elongated rectangles have been the norm but shapes are moving into hexagons, triangles, rhomboids (diamonds) and chevron designs,” says Christie. You should also think beyond traditional shapes and consider wall tiles that come in 3D. “These formations are visually tactile and give a gutsy, personal look that’s anything but sterile,” says Christie.

Click here for more.

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Bathrooms Expert Tips Interviews RENO ADDICT The Block

Block winners Dean and Shay share top bathroom design tips

Black, white and concrete made inviting with accents of warm wood – Dean and Shay, the winners of The Block 2015, really brought it home with their winning Scandi-inspired bathroom.

1. H5_R1_-89Dean and Shay in one of their winning bathrooms

Like us, we’re sure you’ve wondered how to create a dream bathroom. Well sit tight because, thanks to Reece, we’ve got the skinny, straight from the mouths of Dean and Shay themselves.

Q: How do you create an award winning bathroom using tiling and taps?

Dean & Shay: We chose tiles and tapware that was neutral – greys, white and black, softened by timber. We also ensured the feature tiles were used minimally to avoid a cluttered look. Don’t be afraid to use large tiles in a small space and make the tapware your main statement piece.

4. shay-dean-mainbathroom-6
Q: What was it that made your bathrooms such an all-out success?

Dean & Shay: We chose to make the tapware the feature of our bathrooms – this gave a sense of sophistication to the bathrooms without relying on the overpowering nature of bold feature tiles.

Q: What’s your style advice for home renovators looking to create their dream bathroom? 

Dean & Shay: Create that high end feel on a lower budget with things like matte black tapware and accessories that hold hints of metallic.

2. shay-dean-mainbathroom-3

Q: When it came to creating your bathrooms, were you responding purely to aesthetics or were you also thinking about commercial factors like sale at auction?

Dean & Shay: We think that it is easy to create a neutral bathroom that appeals to a broad market, but it’s harder to create a bathroom that isn’t polarising or dated but still exudes that high end quality. I feel like we nailed this concept through our tapware and accessory choices.

Q: When it comes to buying a house, how important is the bathroom in a buyer’s purchasing decision?

Dean & Shay: Really important! Bathrooms deliver a sense of luxury to a buyer, so if the buyer loves the bathroom they can easily overlook a paint colour they don’t like in the bedrooms or living areas.

3. shay-dean-mainbathroom-5

Q: If you could do it all over again, what are the things you’d keep or change?

Dean & Shay: We love every bathroom we created, they are timeless yet still bang on trend, so we wouldn’t change anything!

5. shay-dean-mainbathroom-1
Click here for more bathroom inspiration from Reece.

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Bathrooms Expert Tips RENO ADDICT

Do you really want a freestanding bath?

Image: Aura Home

I have clients ask me on every bathroom renovation I do, if they should really have a freestanding bath? Although they look great and shows like The Block make it look like they’re the only bath worth having, the answer is not a simple one! It’s something that you need to consider carefully, paying specific attention to what you want from the bathroom space and your lifestyle.

Image: Aura Home
Image: Aura Home

To help make this decision, check out my pros and cons:

Why freestanding bath tubs are amazing…

  • This one might be arguable, depending on your personal aesthetic, but freestanding tubs win hands down on most occasions for the striking visual impact they offer!
  • They don’t require additional framework to be built in which saves on time and costs. They also don’t require tiling of a hob around them like inset baths. This also minimises grout lines which can become dirty and stained and require more cleaning.
  • Because of their all-sided finish, freestanding tubs can be placed anywhere, even in the centre of the bathroom if desired, which can have an amazing impact.

Image: Duravit
Image: Duravit

  • If they become damaged or you want to replace yours, you rarely have to make structural changes or re-tile.

The drawbacks of the freestanding tub…

  • In many cases there is nowhere to store things like soap, shampoo and conditioner, unless you use a bath caddy or a freestanding stool beside the bath.
  • Freestanding baths (especially the amazing stone ones) can be very heavy and might require floor reinforcement or at least a check of the sub floor’s strength before installation.
  • When placed close to a wall, they can be very difficult to clean around, so ideally there would be enough of a gap between the wall and bath to allow you to get in and clean the floor and wall tiles well.
  • Many freestanding baths are expensive.
  • Freestanding baths can have quite high sides, hence making bathing children or getting in and out more difficult.

All things considered, the decision to go for a freestanding or inset hob bath is very dependent on the space you have, your lifestyle, who will use it your the needs.

What is your preference?

Naomi Findlay is one of our resident experts, the director of Silk Home, principal of the International Institute of Home Staging and a serial renovator for profit (oh, and mum of four!).

Read all Naomi’s articles.

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Bathrooms Design DIY RENO ADDICT

5 design tips for your bathroom renovation

Photo credit: Virtuel Reel

When it comes to renovating your bathroom there are many decisions to make. What is probably the biggest challenge is ensuring your design choices are both stylish and functional, and one of the best ways to guarantee you tick both these boxes is to get expert advice. Below I outline five design tips, with a particular focus on my expertise of tiling, to help make sure your bathroom makeover is a success!

1. Do it properly

Photo credit: Virtuel Reel
Photo credit: Virtuel Reel

My number one rule is if you’re going to renovate, do it properly. If you’re going to tile a bathroom, tile the whole room from floor to ceiling, to really give the space that wow factor.

2. Install a niche

Photo credit: DHD
Photo credit: DHD

Installing tiling features like niche shelving is a functional and aesthetic addition to your shower. A clever storage solution, a shower niche can eliminate the need to bend down to pick up your shampoo or have a grimy-looking shower tidy hanging by the shower head. Be sure to measure up your favourite bathroom products to be sure they’ll fit in any bespoke shelving. If you have a large space to work with in your bathroom, consider building a tiled niche wall to close off most of your shower. This will eliminate having any kind of shower screen.

3. Use feature tiling

Photo credit: Most Beautiful Things
Photo credit: Most Beautiful Things

Feature tiling in the bathroom is an absolute must and there are much more effective ways that just a little mosaic strip running up the wall. Consider these three options:

  • If you’re tiling around a bath area, have the floor tiling continue up the face of the bath to create a clean finish.
  • Tile the back wall (the first one you see as you walk into the room) with a different feature tile or continue the floor tile up the wall.
  • For a shower niche, tile the back with a feature mosaic, creating a distinct, stylish finish.

4. Install a stylish grate

Bounty Bermuda Smart Tile 1B
Photo credit: Sannine Bathrooms

Shower and floor drains are often overlooked. However, a modern grate is not only important for drainage but can add an architectural look to your bathroom. When selecting, be sure to look at your options and not just go with a standard square grate. Consider using ‘smart grates’, which are designed with a tile insert in the middle to blend into the flooring. These are designed to give the appearance of an invisible grate and are not only long-lasting and easy-to-clean, but can add a contemporary design element to your makeover.

5. Adopt creativity with your design

Photo credit: Homelife
Photo credit: Homelife

Don’t be afraid to think outside the box when it comes to the layout of your bathroom tiles. Consider using timber texture tiles and instead of laying them in a square bond, a herringbone pattern can add an extra creative edge.

— Daniel Picariello is one of Australia’s best young wall and floor tilers, who will be representing Australia in the ultimate trades and skills showdown, the 43rd WorldSkills Competition in Sao Paolo, Brazil.

Categories
Bathrooms Kitchens

Academy Tiles’ versatile and pattern-crazy new range

Academy Tiles’ latest collection, Mutina Tratti, is extremely versatile.

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With three base colours and 11 patterns/blends, they can be randomly combined to create endless layouts.

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Designed by french designer Inga Sempé, they measure 100x100mm and are suitable for floor and wall application.

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For more information.

Categories
Bathrooms Design DIY Kitchens RENO ADDICT Shopping Styling

The Block’s Kyal and Kara reveal their top tricks for DIY tiling and styling

The Block’s Kyal and Kara have been travelling around Australia with Beaumont Tiles, hosting DIY Tiling and Styling workshops and sharing the tricks of the trade. But if you weren’t able to be there in person, here are their top tips for helping you make the most of your renovation.

Kyal and Kara
Kyal and Kara

Dry surface

Before you start your surface should be dry, clean and smooth. If you’re tiling in a wet area (bathroom or around the kitchen sink), the area must be waterproofed, straight and flush (no protruding nails).

Adhesive

Bottom line, don’t skimp, and choose the right adhesive for the space. There are many brands of adhesive and they’re all designed for specific types of tiles and tile surfaces. Cheap adhesives may decay and cause tiles to crack.

Size matters for the novice DIY

Tiling with big tiles is tough, even for seasoned pros. Large tiles are heavy and are expensive to replace if mistakes are made, so DIY novices should stick to tiles no bigger than 300x300mm.

Layout

Draw up a plan for your floor, wall or splashback and map out where your tiles will go. Spending the time to mark out square lines and doing a dry lay will pay dividends on the entire job.

Laying

Tiles that are placed unevenly may create an uneven joint (or lip) which could be a trip hazard. There’s a new product called the Simple Accurate Levelling System (SALS) which is perfect for precision tiling. It can help DIY’ers achieve a flat finish with minimal lippage.

Grout

Wait at least 24 hours after laying before grouting and protect the tiles from any water or weather by covering them with old clean sheets. Don’t grout where walls meet floors or where two walls meet, instead apply silicone when the surrounding grouted area is dry.

Grote Street 12-04-15 DIY Tile and Style Affair IMG_9751

Photography by Yasmin Nebenfuhr

WIN

In the spirit of DIY tiling, Beaumont Tiles are giving away five DIY Bucket Starter Tool Kits! Each bucket contains $200 worth of goodies, including two trowels, a levelling starter kit, knee pads and more! Complete the below form by 5pm AEST on Friday 24 April 2015. Open to Australian residents only.

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Categories
Bathrooms

6 budget-friendly bathroom updates

By Laney Clancy

If you want to give your bathroom a new look but don’t know where to start, focus on these 6 essentials and you’ll soon have a washroom wake-up that won’t wreck the budget.

1. Fixtures as a foundation

New fixtures (vanity/sink, toilet, shower, bathtub) can completely transform a bathroom; everything from the shape to the colour of a fixture can set the look of the whole room. Use fixtures as a foundation for your style. You can then embellish with other touches and accessories.

Budget tip: Save on labour costs by using the existing plumbing infrastructure; install your new toilet, shower and/or basin in the same position as the original fixtures.

2. Turn it on with taps

Taps make great style accents and changing your taps can be an affordable way to update the look of your bathroom. The change needs to be like for like, for example if you have a mixer (hot and cold through one outlet) it’s easier to replace it with another mixer, or 2 outlets for 2 outlets, (starting from $40 for a set of handles).

Continue reading “6 budget-friendly bathroom updates”

Categories
Interiors Addict

Academy Tiles introduces the stunning Hexatile

I love a good tile and these are just gorgeous, don’t you think? The Hexatile is available in a myriad of colours from Acadamy Tiles so the possibilities and combinations are endless!

hexatile wall

Here’s a little wall and floor inspiration for you. They’re recommended for light traffic floors only.

Continue reading “Academy Tiles introduces the stunning Hexatile”