Converting a Kitchen to a Stunning Country Style Ensuite

The main bathroom was definitely the most disgusting part of our home when we moved in. The farmhouse only had one bathroom which is not practical for a house of this size. We regularly have overnight visitors because of our distance from the city so the intention was always to create a country-style ensuite in the old kitchen next to our bedroom. This would provide extra facilities for when we have guests and a private space for us. We worked on the ensuite first and, when that was functional, we gutted the main bathroom, renovating it on a budget too.

This phase of our house renovation took two years to complete. The renovation cost more than anticipated but was worth the money we paid to achieve a country-style ensuite we love. Every cent!

Our Bathroom in the Beginning

This is the part where you should shield your eyes. Our ensuite used to be the kitchen. It was dark, being on the south side of the house, and rat-infested. I’m not joking. We stored everything either in the fridge or locked plastic tubs while we worked in that problem. The stove was on a lean. To cook in a pot, I had to hold said pot on the stove element. A 70’s arch linked our, now, bedroom (the dining room) to the kitchen. And did I forget the paint swatches on the wall named Banana Bread?

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The Design

The old room is quite large at over 4m x 4m, meaning we could fit a number of functions into the space. The new set of timber stairs was a non-negotiable. After removing the spiral staircase in the hall we needed a way to reach the attic rooms. We also wanted the old kitchen to house our country-style ensuite and a walk-in robe. The design we came up with has the robe closest to our room and the ensuite at the back. A small ‘hall’ leads to this area.

Vintage Elements for the Bathroom

The first element I chose for the room was the tiles. I knew the tiles had to have a traditional feel and stand the test of time. Our home is not modern, so I wanted a vintage vibe and pattern! My original thought was a deep green colour but after spotting the Madeleine tiles at Montile, I knew I had found my dream tile. I teamed this with a large subway that we wrapped around the room. My inspiration for the colours and tiles came from a photo I saw.

To offset the tiles and modern brass tapware and rails in our country style bathroom, I added vintage accessories we bought secondhand. The ornate gold mirror cost $40. It’s heavy but I love the way the deep gold blends with the brushed brass of the tapware. I don’t see anything wrong with mixing metals in a room as long as you stick to two kinds. Anymore is a bit of a mishmash.

Above the mirror, I’ve added a brass wall light with a milk glass fitting I found on eBay Australia. The scalloped edge of the shade adds some softness to our country style bathroom. A rustic element is added with a wire basket of towels under the washstand.

The Washstand

In my original inspiration photo, the cabinet was blue but because we had blue tiles I wanted to introduce a timber element to the room. We found this antique cedar washstand in a second-hand shop for $90 (possibly because it looked rather battered). The whole piece was revamped in an hour or so before installation. Converting it into a modern washstand with a basin on top was relatively simple and something that could be done with an old cupboard or console table by the DIYer.

Completing the Country Style Ensuite

To complete the look of our vintage-inspired ensuite we reinstated the deep skirtings that had been taken out. I painted the floors

in the small entryway with paving paint and I love it! We also had a double glazed window custom made to look like the original window. I have to admit to being sceptical that a double glazed window could look like the real thing but you can’t tell the difference! It keeps the heat in the room. We managed to save the original window trims to put around the new window. For privacy, I made a linen cafe curtain. We won’t need to use this often but when visitors are at the farm it will curb the embarrassment of being seen in the shower by someone on the verandah!

I also had simple glass pendant lights installed. I deliberately chose a simple style so that the brass wall light and mirror become the hero of the room. We put a vintage wire laundry basket under the washstand to house extra towels and the willow wreath I made a while back has a place on the wall with the very first cross stitch I made over thirty years ago. (See how long I’ve loved blue!) We also added new sets of towels in a navy waffle, fluffy white and silver grey to match the tiles.

Storage in our Country Style Ensuite

Storage is a key component in any bathroom. People have so many lotions and potions these days, not to mention hairdryers, shavers and other essentials. A lot of you asked where we store things in our new ensuite, and remarked they would not be able to cope. The answer to this question is, we keep our toothbrushes on the washstand for everyday use. Everything else is kept in a dedicated cupboard in the walk in robe. There’s a huge amount of space in there, so we set aside an area inside the door to keep everything we need out of sight!