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Photos Henrique Wilding, Christoph Hoffmann and E.R. Lombard | Styling Marian van Wyk and Dina Venter

1. Fixed up with flair!

Petro and Fanie Kruger, our 2021 Fix it with Flair winners in the DIY category, tick all the boxes with their bathroom renovation. The look is trendy yet classical with elegant finishes.

This is the second home these avid DIYers have tackled. With the profit made from the sale of their first house, Petro and Fanie bought this lovely 1950s home in 2019.

"She was last updated in the '70s and was in desperate need of some TLC," says Petro. After mainly focusing on maintenance since moving in, the couple decided to do a major bathroom renovation in 2020.

"Finally, we got to the fun part! Two kids later, it's taking us a bit longer than our first home makeover but we're getting there, slowly but surely," says Petro.

A game changer

"Feeling confident after our DIY renovations at our previous home, we did even more ourselves this time around - from demolition, brickwork and building to tiling and all the finishes," says Petro. It was a game-changer when the bathroom window was opened up all the way from the floor to the ceiling and a new wooden sliding door with reeded glass was fitted. Now the bathroom is bathed in natural light and feels much more spacious than before, while the style of the door adds additional character to this 1950s home.

"When it came to the terrazzo floor, we went backwards and forwards between having it done professionally or buying the tiles and installing them ourselves," says Petro. "We opted for a custom floor with a seamless finish and brass inlays as it really pays homage to the style of our house.

"Because we plan on staying here for quite some time, we saved up and invested in good quality timeless sanitary ware that will hopefully last a long time. We added a personal touch with the lights, mirror and paint colour, which can easily be changed should we want to spruce things up in future."

Floor by Bespoke Flooring; tub and basin from Livingstone Baths; tiles and brass trims from Union Tiles; taps and fittings from Victorian Side Bathrooms; reeded glass by Peacock Glass; shower glass from Wynberg Glass.

Hot trend

Reeded glass

Popular in the Art Deco era of the 1920s and '30s, reeded glass has a timeless and versatile appeal. It can add a sense of luxury to any space - think glass cabinets in the kitchen, a shower wall in the bathroom, a coffee table in the living room, sconces in the bedroom… The list goes on. In the bathroom, reeded glass provides extra privacy with the added bonus that any limescale build-up isn't so obvious.

The reeded, ribbed or fluted effect is not reserved for windows and doors; nowadays, you'll see the look in kitchen islands, coffee tables, wall panelling and even crockery and vases. The best thing about the design? It suits any d cor style!

Sourcesdicksongroup.com; madaboutthehouse.com

The vanity was designed and made by Fanie and Petro, while the ledge and mirror were custom made.

http://madaboutthehouse.com

...What they did

The bathroom was gutted and the wall between the toilet and bathroom removed. The entrance was moved to the hallway to create an open-plan layout. The new toilet system, plumbing, drains and window frame had to be fitted before the new floor could be cast.

Fanie built the kiaat vanity and new sliding door frame himself, while Petro assisted with the tiling and painting. The wall lights were assembled using the old ceiling lights in combination with brass cut-outs - a very cost-effective hack, advises the couple.

http://madaboutthehouse.com

Designing and making some of the elements ourselves was really fun and adds a nice new layer to the DIY process. - Petro

TILE ADVICE

Slim and sleek

If you're keen to make a statement, kitkat tiles are your trendiest option, says Nicole Russell of Italtile. They are often described as finger mosaic tiles and are popular in kitchens and bathrooms. These tiles can be installed horizontally or vertically, depending on the look you'd like, and you can choose from a wide range of colours to create a striking splashback or feature wall.

Inspired by authentic Japanese architecture, finger tiles reflect passion, ingenuity, dynamism and creativity. While subway tiles remain popular, we now see them in narrower or slimmer designs than before. Ensure that you use water-resistant mosaic adhesive in wet rooms.

CONTACT italtile.co.za

http://italtile.co.za

http://italtile.co.za

2. Back to black

As is the case in the rest of interior designer Christine Bence's home, her bathroom is an elegant affair that boasts a neutral colour scheme with touches of black. "Black is my favourite colour as it works with any d cor style," says Christine.

"It's a very strong colour that works well on walls or as an accent.

A soft grey cement floor anchors the white walls and white furniture in the space. The stone top of the vanity also echoes the colour of the floor for continuity.

Christine pays careful attention to detail and her beloved collection of hats has found pride of place on at least three walls here. Thanks to high ceilings, there is ample wall space available.

An avid bargain hunter, she combines second-hands finds and new items with homemade d cor. The curtain at the window is adorned with black ribbons and turns something simple into something special.

Christine's design tips

• Work with what you have; stick to a budget by retaining the original bathroom layout and simply adding new fixtures.

• Make fixtures a focal point. Experiment with combining old and new elements but be sure that the finishes are complementary.

• Have fun! Wallpaper has made a return to the spotlight with gorgeous designs that can give your bathroom the ‘wow factor'. Wallpaper the entire space or create an accent wall.

• Reconsider the bathtub. If yours is seldom used, consider utilising the square footage for a stunning walk-in shower with a seamless bench seat and shelf.

• Make the most of natural light! Remove blinds that block sunlight from getting into the space. For privacy, use sheer fabrics that allow natural light to pass through. Use clear glass in your shower and position mirrors so that natural light can bounce off them and warm up the room.

Remember that light also has an impact on how paint colours look at different times of the day.

CONTACTmarali@bminc.co

http://marali@bminc.co

Taps from Trendy Taps; floor tiles from Stiles; wall tiles from Italtile; bath and basin from On Tap; shelf unit for basin from Yardsfield Design; light above basin from Hoi P'loy

http://marali@bminc.co

3. Charm and comfort

In August 2021, Nicky and Darryl Betz said goodbye to their home in Johannesburg, which we featured in Home Renovations in 2012, and headed for the Mother City. They found the perfect home in the leafy suburb of Bergvliet, located close to good boys' schools for their son Cole. The family bathroom was the first space to be renovated and this was done before they relocated from Gauteng.

"The idea was to create a spa-like haven, not unlike the look we had in our Jo'burg home," says Nicky.

She co-ordinated everything from their previous home and the couple signed off on the finishing touches in December 2021. The outdated bathroom was gutted, and provision was made for a shower.

"With Bergvliet being an older suburb, I wanted to reintroduce some of the vintage charm typical of homes in the area," explains Nicky.

"I love metro tiles and these served as a starting point; they're timeless and work very well to brighten up a space and make it more modern. We decided to lay them vertically, which is reminiscent of mid-century modern bathrooms.

"Since the space is just 7m², it was quite a challenge to fit both a tub and a walk-in shower.

"We managed to find a small soaking tub, which fitted perfectly in the space, and installed a walk-in shower next to it," explains Nicky.

"I love our bathroom with its Victorian-meets-African flair. It's a beautiful little escape from daily life; there's nothing better than relaxing in the tub or standing under the big rain shower."

Nicky's favourite elements? The round mirror above the vanity, the landscape painting on the wall and her much-loved Staghorn fern pot plants in the tiled recesses!

Pink metro and floor tiles from NWT; white metro tiles and tapware from Italtile; bath and basin from Eurotrend; towel rail and accessories from Superbalist.

4. All round fun

When interior designer Kirsten Lloyd of Lo-Ki Interiors in Johannesburg was called in to jazz up this bathroom, she found a bland and beige space lacking personality.

"It also had a double vanity which took up a lot of space, and the homeowners weren't utilising it," explains Kirsten.

"With a shower only, the bathroom was impractical as they prefer to bath.

"The brief was short and simple: there had to be a big round bath and touches of pink! Luckily, the renovation didn't require any major structural changes, except for building a small nib wall to house the new Geberit toilet system. Fitting a round bath in a small space proved to be quite a challenge. "We worked around this by changing the orientation of the bathroom and installing a barn door to open up the space," says Kirsten.

"It also meant removing the double vanity and separate shower, but the owners were more than happy to make this sacrifice."

To break up the white wall and keep the bathroom from looking clinical, a custom-made oak-and-rattan vanity was installed. Gold accessories with mother-of-pearl detail (see inset) add another layer of femininity and texture.

The bath itself was easy to source and since it's made of a lightweight acrylic material, installation was fuss-free.

The wall tiles were removed; thereafter, new contemporary tiles and wallpaper were installed.

"Since pink as a feature on one of the walls was non-negotiable, I wanted the rest of the bathroom to be quite neutral. However, I added plenty of interest to prevent the space from becoming overly feminine," says Kirsten.

"The white gloss metro tiles have a rustic finish which adds warmth and texture, while still making the space feel light and bright. The striking black-and-white wallpaper ties in with the black tapware throughout the bathroom. These black accents were specifically selected to add a masculine element.

"In the end, I love that we were able to create a unique space with the round bath forming the focal point. The room reflects the homeowners' personalities. Nothing is understated; it's big, bold and feminine."

Kirsten's design tips

• Don't be afraid to incorporate colour, but do so sparingly.

• Always balance a bold tile with more neutral colours.

• Keep to just one or two focal features in the form of a vanity and one accent tile, for example.

• Don't neglect the lighting: incorporate both functional overhead lighting and decorative lighting, such as a backlit mirror.

• Think about how you use the space and design it accordingly. You don't necessarily need a double vanity, for instance; the space could be better used for something else that will be of more value to you personally.

CONTACTloki-interiors.com

A large window separates the main en-suite bathroom from the outdoor shower. Two narrow wooden &lsquo;windows' on either side of the glass are used for ventilation. The shower is accessed through another glass door - or from the outside. — A large window separates the main en-suite bathroom from the outdoor shower. Two narrow wooden ‘windows' on either side of the glass are used for ventilation. The shower is accessed through another glass door - or from the outside.

5. Inside and out

Beautifully aged ash timber, white plaster and a steel pergola create the ultimate backdrop for this outdoor shower adjacent to the main en-suite bathroom. Soft feathery ferns tickle your legs while you enjoy a revitalising wash on the wooden deck.

When cookbook author and home economist Christine Capendale decided to move from Cape Town to Hermanus, she and her husband Eddie found the perfect home for sale. The house, originally built by KLG Architects in 2017, boasts various small private courtyards such as this outdoor shower.

A clever swing window connects the shower in the guest bathroom with the outdoors. This large window is ideal for air circulation, and you can almost touch the plants while showering. A second smaller window on the left can be left open for fresh air without concerns around safety, says Christine.

"I love the outdoor shower and appreciate all the gorgeous plants during the day and at night, thanks to beautiful lighting," says Christine. "It's completely private and it's so lovely to be able to enjoy the outdoors from the comfort of the interior. The shower is so revitalising first thing in the morning during the summer months, and on warmer winter days it's extremely refreshing!"

A rain chain running from the gutter above makes a decorative water feature, while transporting rainwater to the plants below.