Luxury Bathroom Renovation with a Clever Poolside Addition in West Harbour

Project Overview

After years of raising their blended family in this 1980s two-storey home, the homeowners had reached a new stage of life. With just the two of them now living in the house, they wanted to update the tired ensuite and main bathroom and enjoy a more modern, luxurious home before eventually moving on to their next adventure.

The homeowners first met Refresh Renovation Consultant Morag Burns through a home show. There was no pressure to begin immediately, giving them plenty of time to consider what they wanted from the renovation.

Their original plan involved renovating two bathrooms. However, as Morag worked with them through the design process, an opportunity emerged to add a separate guest toilet with easy access from the home's outdoor pool area. This practical addition meant family and guests could use the bathroom without walking through the house with wet feet.

Having renovated rental properties before, the homeowners understood the problems that can arise when projects are not completed correctly. For their own home, they wanted experienced professionals who could manage everything for them, including the council consent process.

Design & Planning

The homeowners prioritised quality over speed, allowing Renovation Specialist Morag Burns and her team to explore different layout options before settling on the final designs.

Both bathrooms were planned with fully tiled walk-in showers and a luxurious modern finish. One particularly clever idea came from the homeowners themselves. Based on their experience with rental properties, they requested full-height shower glass extending to the ceiling. This helps contain steam in a similar way to a shower dome while maintaining the clean appearance of a frameless glass shower.

During the design phase, the team also identified the opportunity to introduce the additional guest toilet near the pool area. While this expanded the original scope and required building consent, its convenience made it a worthwhile addition.

Morag and her team managed the design and consenting process, removing the need for the homeowners to coordinate directly with council themselves.

Project Execution

Once building consent was approved, construction took approximately two months.

The project involved a coordinated team of designers, builders, plumbers, electricians, tilers, glaziers, plasterers, painters, and project management professionals.

The work included:

• Complete renovation of the main bathroom
• Complete renovation of the ensuite
• Addition of a separate guest toilet
• Fully tiled walk-in showers
• Full-height shower glass
• Plumbing and electrical work
• Waterproofing and tiling
• Plastering and painting
• Installation of modern bathroom fixtures and finishes

Because the design and construction stages were managed as one process, each trade had a clear understanding of what needed to be completed and when.

Challenges Overcome

An unexpected issue appeared when the existing main bathroom was opened up.

Previous renovation work had left problems hidden behind the walls. Existing pipework and parts of the structure had been cut into, meaning additional work was required before the new bathroom could be completed properly.

Rather than working around the problem, Morag Burns and her team identified the appropriate solution and arranged the necessary repairs before proceeding with the renovation.

The discovery reinforced the homeowners' decision to have experienced professionals manage the project, particularly given their understanding of the potential problems that can come with earlier renovation work.

Client Experience

Having renovated investment properties before, the homeowners knew that choosing the right people could make a major difference to the experience. 

For their own home, they wanted a team they could rely on and did not want the responsibility of managing council requirements, individual trades, and the construction process themselves.

Working with Renovation Specialist Morag Burns and her team gave them a single point of contact throughout the renovation. Morag guided them through the design and consent stages, while the wider team coordinated the different trades required to deliver the project.

With no strict deadline, the homeowners were able to focus on getting the details right rather than rushing decisions. They also understood from the beginning that their preference for fully tiled showers and a more luxurious finish would require a higher investment.

The finished bathrooms now feel larger, easier to use, and considerably more modern. The full-height shower glass adds both style and practical steam control, while the tiled finishes create the luxurious appearance the homeowners wanted.

Perhaps the biggest surprise has been the new guest toilet. Originally an addition to the two-bathroom renovation, its convenient position near the pool has made it an incredibly practical feature, and according to the homeowners, it has now become the most-used room in the house.

Final Thoughts

What started as an upgrade of two tired bathrooms developed into a thoughtful transformation of three important spaces within the home.

The renovated ensuite and main bathroom provide the modern, luxurious finishes the homeowners wanted, while the additional guest toilet solves a practical problem they had not initially set out to address.

Despite uncovering problems from previous renovation work, careful planning and professional coordination kept the project moving forward. Renovation Specialist Morag Burns and her team delivered three functional and stylish spaces that the homeowners can enjoy during the next chapter of their time in this West Harbour home.

Are you thinking about giving your bathrooms a more practical and modern finish? Discover what is possible for your West Auckland home with Morag and her team. Contact Morag today!

‍