Disko Designs has transformed a once uninspiring bathroom into a refined and character-filled retreat that balances nostalgia with contemporary sophistication.
Originally built in the 1960s and overhauled in the 1990s with a wash of beige, the apartment bathroom felt disconnected from the rest of the home’s evolving design. Compact in footprint yet limited by poor space planning, it required a complete reconfiguration to meet the client’s needs.
The owner, who had already modernised the rest of the apartment, wanted the bathroom to reflect the same curated aesthetic while improving functionality. The brief was to incorporate a bathtub, integrate the washing machine into the bathroom to free up kitchen space, and reference existing materials such as the original green terrazzo at the threshold and the walnut detailing from the kitchen.
Disko Designs approached the project with a keen eye for materiality and proportion. Retro-inspired green tiles draw a subtle link to the terrazzo, their glossy surface creating depth across the walls. A custom vanity trimmed in walnut and topped with a marble mosaic counter adds warmth, refinement and cohesion with the kitchen palette. The vanity is paired with a locally made mirror by Blend Concrete, reinforcing the client’s commitment to supporting artisans.
Further touches bring character and charm. A floral sink skirt introduces softness and nostalgia, while chrome and porcelain tapware deliver timeless appeal. The ceiling above the toilet is painted in a deep burgundy, a deliberate choice that ties the bathroom back to the client’s vintage armoire in the kitchen. Overhead, a newly added bulkhead housing the air-conditioning system provided the opportunity to integrate moody LED lighting and discreet linear ventilation.
Fitting a bathtub, shower, laundry and storage into such a compact space required precision. Double-brick construction added complexity, with pony walls employed to conceal services and align tile transitions seamlessly. The result is a bathroom that feels effortlessly resolved, its challenges cleverly hidden behind elegant detailing.
This renovation demonstrates how thoughtful design can achieve far more than surface-level improvement. By blending colour, craft and spatial ingenuity, Disko Designs has created a bathroom that honours the apartment’s history while offering the client a highly functional and beautifully curated space.
Designer: Dave Harvey
Photography: Verona Media
KBDi – awards category: SMALL BATHROOMS QLD
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