Blue crush

A truly timeless bathroom shines in an Auckland renovation.

There’s no doubt the sweep of blue tiles with glamorous gold and white veining is the star of this Auckland bathroom.

But the choice of tile was just the first step in a collaboration that has brought every element together.

The bathroom is part of a whole-house renovation of an Auckland bungalow that was dated, dark and compartmentalised. Taking charge of the upgrade was Qualitas Builders, experts in high-quality new builds and period home renovations. The brief here was to open up and update while retaining as much character as possible.

The scope ranged from reconfiguring rooms to enhancing the elegant details such as new timberwork, made to match existing trim. The original window in this bathroom retains the beauty of the era, but safety glass was installed to meet today’s standards. Licensed Building Practitioner Bryce Chisholm has an in-depth knowledge of the requirements of the Building Code.

Qualitas Builders managed the project to a high standard – the eye-catching tile, for example, needed to be impeccably installed.

Modern innovations were introduced by Leck Electrical, who installed lighting throughout the home, including LED strips and tread lights, and an integrated sound system. Leck also provided suggestions for lighting fixtures that the homeowner loved.

It was thanks to Qualitas Builders’ many connections that the homeowner found the striking blue tile, and when it came time for Peta Davy from interior design studio Yellowfox to create a look for the house, she was more than happy to run with it. All the bathrooms in the house are different but are tied together with the same style of vanity. Here, the vanity and mirror are highlighted with brass tapware to pull the gold from the tiles. Accents of gunmetal are used in the shower and towel rail to ground the space.

Peta says the homeowners wanted a room that nodded to the era and wasn’t overly contemporary, and they weren’t concerned with following trends. With the sun streaming in the restored window, she says, this is now one of the most beautiful parts of the home.

021 886 120 | qualitasbuilders.co.nz 
09 525 3450 | yellowfox.co.nz
09 624 1875 | leckelectrical.co.nz