Old stone walls and colourful modern style make an unlikely pair. In this 1800s’ cottage, nestled in South Australia’s Barossa Valley, they get along beautifully, giving it charm in spades.
A previous renovation project in the ’90s somewhat ruined the vibe of this delightful stone cottage, and so, another renovation was needed. Today we’re joined by Abi Dean, the owner of this stone cottage, who shares the budget, challenges and lessons learnt along the way. Let’s step inside!
Related article: Seeing stars: Inside this luxe hotel-inspired Putney ensuite renovation
Related article: A serene, timeless bathroom transformation with clever use of space
Abi, her partner Bayley and their daughter Gracie fell head over heels for this stone cottage built in the 1800s. But, the bathrooms were not a vibe.
“Our home is an 1800s stone cottage that we absolutely love,” Abi says. “The bathrooms however… they were a whole other story! They felt dated, lacked storage and weren’t making the best use of the space.
“One of the bathrooms was also located in the lean-to at the back which we are about to remove to make way for a new extension.
“The brief for the ensuite and adjoining walk in robe was creating a space that felt warm, calm and sophisticated. The aim for the main bathroom was to have a bit of fun and create something full of personality.
They are two completely different vibes. We wanted the spaces to feel considered and unique, with a balance of classic design and playful details.
“We wanted to use natural materials like Tasmanian oak and stone, paired with handmade-look tiles, soft curves and colourful feature pieces.”
Every older home renovation has its hurdles.
“Working within a 100-plus-year-old stone home definitely had its challenges!” Abi recalls. “We had to alter openings through 400mm-thick stone walls. It was NOT easy!
“Also, balancing the home’s original character with modern functionality was tricky too. It required a lot of planning and problem solving.
“We worked with Bishop Building, who provide in-house design assistance. With a pretty clear vision of what we wanted, they really helped with the nitty-gritty of it.
“We spent a lot of time refining details. From repositioning walls and doorways through the original stone walls, to selecting each fitting and finish.”
The adult spaces ooze sophistication, while the kids zones are incredibly bold and fun.
“The aim for the main bathroom was to have a bit of fun and create something full of personality,” Abi says with a smile.
“We spent a lot of time getting the layouts right before we even started thinking about finishes. Beautiful materials can’t fix a bathroom that doesn’t function well.
“I would recommend investing in quality where it matters. Don’t rush your selections and choose finishes that you’ll still love in ten years’ time rather than following trends.
“For us, our biggest priorities were high-quality fixtures, a decent size bath for the kids and plenty of natural light. Being an old stone cottage, there isn’t much light, so we made sure to add Velux skylights into both spaces.
“I think my favourite feature in these rooms is the curved wall between the ensuite and the walk-in robe. It doesn’t just look awesome, it really opens up the space and allows the transition between rooms to flow.”
And of course, the all important question for the stone cottage bathroom… what was the budget!?
“Approximately $150,000,” Abi says. “That includes the bathroom renovations, walk-in robe and associated structural work.
“We chose to invest in the things we use every day. Stone benchtops, custom timber veneer joinery with a stecca wood curved wall, quality tapware, underfloor heating, skylights and premium tiling.
We wanted each bathroom to have its own personality. I definitely think we achieved it.
“To save, we kept both bathrooms within the original footprint. This helped us avoid any major structural changes. We are limited with space on that side of the house already.”
And because we know you will ask, here’s where everything is from.
Ensuite
Vanity — ADP Australia
Basin — Nood Co
Tapware — Yabby
Feature tile — Elegance Tiles
Floor and wall tile — Perini Tiles
Mirror — Future Glass
Skylight — Velux Australia
Wall sconce — Robert Gordon
Towels — Aura Home
Walk-in robe
Joinery — Elite Kitchens and Cabinets
Main bathroom
Vanity — ADP Australia
Bath — ABI Interiors
Basin — Nood Co
Tapware — ABI Interiors
Feature tile — Kami Home Skins
Mirror — Future Glass
Skylight — Velux Australia
Wall sconce — Robert Gordon
Towels — Kip&Co
Thank you so much to Abi for opening the doors to these beautiful stone cottage bathroom renovations. We love how the new spaces respect the old walls, yet burst with personality and uniqueness.
With another home extension on the way, be sure to follow along for more adventures and interesting discoveries (one involves bees and another an old well!).
Find more bathroom inspo here
