This project began with a space that was purely functional – a standard bathroom with little identity, minimal warmth, and no real sense of story. While practical, it lacked presence and failed to reflect the personality of the home. Set within a 1947 cottage, this bathroom carried the charm of age, but not its beauty. An old bathtub sat awkwardly lowered into the ground, paired with a dated vanity that felt disconnected from the rest of the home.
The intention was not to fully renovate in a conventional sense, but to reimagine the space through character, materiality, and contrast.
At the heart of the transformation is a repurposed French drinking cabinet, carefully adapted into a vanity. This piece became the anchor – introducing history, depth, and a sense of individuality that immediately shifts the room away from the expected. Its bold green finish adds richness, while the detailing brings a crafted, almost heirloom quality.
Around it, the palette was intentionally restrained yet layered:
Black tiles ground the space and create contrast.
Patterned flooring introduces movement and subtle visual interest.
Warm metals and organic elements soften the composition.
Simple walls and mirror allow the statement piece to breathe.
The result is a bathroom where old and new coexist naturally. It’s no longer just a utility space – it’s an experience, a moment of surprise, and a reflection of a more personal, story-led approach to interiors.
This project captures what Avenell Studio is about:
bringing character into everyday spaces, and transforming the overlooked into something quietly distinctive.
