Ensuite Envy

This sophisticated and modern ensuite, one of Windemere's latest projects, is in an award winning display in Brisbane's West.

The ensuite is an open plan bathroom with double vanities, shower and WC. The space is located between the master bedroom and walk in wardrobe. 

Cool, monochromatic tones and pops of colour make this ensuite a contemporary yet timeless feature of the home.  Extra storage was created by installing shaving cabinets above each vanity. The colour scheme lends itself to pops of colour in towels and decoration creating a versatile yet timeless ensuite.

Large format 900mm X 400mm tiles on the floor and walls to the ceiling make the space feel larger and more open. The modern, concrete look tiles are clean and industrial. Feature “penny round” tiles on the shower floor are tactile and add a pop of colour.

Design Challenges - The ensuite is contained within a moderate space, however was modified from the standard plan to include an enclosed WC, feature recessed niche shelving to the shower and additional shaving cabinet style storage behind the mirrors.

Would you like to see this stunning ensuite yourself? 

The ensuite is on display at 

Adenbrook Homes "Orion" Display 

5 Valentine Circuit, Augustine Heights QLD 4300

Telephone: 07 3814 7782

The Tile Style File

Tiles are one of the most durable, hard wearing solutions for any floor or wall. Available in endless styles and sizes, tiles are incredibly practical and also a play a large part in creating the style and theme of your home.

Lindy Evans from Windemere Interiors says it's important to consider tiles as an important design element of the overall home. "Tiles should be considered just as important as all the other design elements and therefore incorporate them in the theme of the home along with paint colours, cabinetry finishes, fixtures, furniture. Tiles, unlike furniture and fixtures are an expensive fix if you make the wrong choice, you need to make sure you will be happy with the result for years to come."

Tiles are practical and stylish for every room of the house and there are an enormous range of styles and materials to choose from. Generally, there are two main types of tile - ceramic and porcelain. Both are fantastic and durable tiles, the difference is in how they are created.

Ceramic tiles are primarily made from clay with a glazed design surface. This type of tile is easier to cut and therefore more economical to install. Porcelain tiles are generally made entirely from the design composition resulting in a denser material, however special tools are required to cut the tiles so the installation may be more expensive.

A few hints about tiles from Windemere Interiors

• Large tiles make a space feel larger. Laying them vertically will make the space feel taller while laying them horizontally will make it feel wider.
• Rectified Tiles have a straight edge and are laid with a thinner grout giving a more seamless finish. Fantastic for a sheeted effect.
• Stone tiles create a lovely, natural resort style feel. They are naturally porous though so have them sealed every 12 months to keep in top condition.
• Ensure you choose a grout that complements or contrasts the tile, depending on the look you are after. Choose white grout for light coloured tiles if you are after a seamless flow effect or for a dramatic effect, contrast darker tiles with white grout.

Inspiration Gallery

Top tips for your bathroom

Tiles

Lighter coloured tiles will reflect the natural and artificial light. White and cream are perfect and if you use light coloured grout the room will appear bigger and more seamless.

Larger tiles will also make the bathroom appear more spacious. Laying wall tiles vertically will make the space seem higher while laying them horizontally will make the space feel wider.

Using a single colour throughout the bathroom will create a more seamless look. Consider tiling to the ceiling and matching the ceiling colour with the tile colour.

Shower

Shower screens and frames can divide a bathroom, blocking light and making the space appear smaller. Clear glass as opposed to wire or opaque glass will open up the space as will frameless or semi-frameless glass.

Cabinetry

Chunky cabinetry can look bulky and clunky in a bathroom. Minimalist cabinetry with recessed basins will look take up less space. Wall hung cabinets will provide storage for towels while the void underneath will give the illusion of more floor space.

Consider recessing a shaving cabinet into the wall for a seamless look to the walls. This will provide more storage for toiletries while the mirror will reflect light and give the illusion of more space.

Windows

Curtains and blinds can block the natural light and appear chunky on the walls. If you are renovating, remove any bulky, dark curtain rods and consider frosting the windows or installing minimal, light coloured roller blinds.

Fixtures

Simple, sleek accessories will create a minimalist look. Changing chunky plastic handles and knobs for simple chrome or stainless steel accessories will look much more contemporary and clean.

Lighting

Recessed lighting will streamline your ceiling and designing lighting over or beside mirrors will reflect light throughout the room and ensure it doesn’t cast shadows.

These are some simple tips for maximising light and space in your bathroom. If you are building a new home or renovating a bathroom and would like advice, ideas or inspiration, speak to the designers at Windemere Interiors.

Bathtub Beauties

Classic clawfoot or contemporary freestanding stone, bathtubs can create a stunning feature in your bathroom as well as a haven of relaxation.

There are several styles of bathtubs. Freestanding, built in and hob mounted are the most popular.

Placement and space available may dictate where and what type of bathtub options are available. If you have the space available, a freestanding bath would look fantastic however if you’re tight on space, a corner bathtub may be more suitable.

Bathtubs come in a variety of options to suit every budget. These are mostly dependant on the materials used. In order of budget to blow-the-budget, bathtubs come in enamel, fibreglass, acrylic, cast iron, soap stone and copper. Spa and whirpool bathtubs are also popular with luxury bathrooms.

A good budget idea to tie in with your bathroom’s theme is to use an acrylic bath and build it into a hob using the same tiles as the rest of the bathroom.
Don’t forget the tapware to complete the bathtub look. Sleek, chrome tapware will suit a contemporary looking bathtub, while brass fittings would perfectly finish a claw foot bathtub in a Queenslander or Victorian style home.

Bathrooms are one of the most commonly renovated rooms and the right style of bathtub can add stylish impact on the space. If you are considering renovating a bathroom or are building a new home, the team at Windemere Interiors can help you find the perfect bathtub.

Shower Shine

The shower can be the oasis of the home. A hot shower after a long Winter's day, or a cool, refreshing shower after a hot, summer day in the garden. It's a place to pamper and relax.

As the water conscious moves from bath to showers, oversized his and her showers and simple wet rooms are becoming more popular, so careful choices in designing the area is imperative. There are many types of shower screens, taps and accessories available to suit all bathrooms, but it is important to choose the ones that are both practical and asthetic to your bathroom.

The most important things to consider are the shower frame, wall tiles, fixtures and storage. To create a elegant and timeless feel, I'd recommend a frameless shower screen and tiles in a neutral colour, then jazz it up with some feature tiles and upmarket fixtures. It's a simple and easy technique to create the wow factor in your shower.

A framed shower screen suits bathrooms where the shower recess needs to be clearly defined. With a range of colours, the frame can be matched to the bathroom colours.  A semi framed or frameless shower creates a streamlined and luxury appeal. Simple and elegant, it creates a feeling of open space.

There is an endless range of tapware and fixtures for showers. Water saving showerheads, shower rails, mixers and hinges all combine to create an overall look for your shower. Chrome and stainless steel will create a sleek and contemporary look. Consider storage when designing your shower. A place for soap, shampoos and body brushes are important so think about niches in the wall.

Bathroom Magic

A tired bathroom can date an entire house, and bathroom makeovers are one of the most common renovation projects.

The layout of a bathroom is the key element to consider when renovating. Ensuring the position of the bathroom essentials is the most practical for the space will ensure there is ample storage and enough space.

The ensuite pictured originally had a corner vanity with a laminate block towel rack that used up valuable storage space.  A framed shower with opaque glass obscured the natural light from the only window in the room. The dark decor colours, friez tiles and chunky wooden fixtures made the space cramped and dated.

To make better use of the space, the layout was changed slightly, by streamlining the vanity against one wall and opening up the shower area using clear, semi frameless glass. A neutral colour palette of cream and taupe brightened up the space.

Analysing the current layout was the first priority when undertaking this renovation. The corner vanity virtually cut the space in half, making it seem smaller than what it was. Creating a streamlined layout, with clear glass and full height mirrors opens up the space and maximises the natural light.

In renovating all three bathrooms in this home, Lindy used a consistent neutral theme with the same tiles, cabinetry, tapware and basins. Differing accessories and decoration, such as towels and soap dispensers were used to set the bathrooms apart.