[This post contains some gifted items]

Palmaria Wallpaper by Osborne & Little [Gifted*] | Pink Tiles by Tons of Tiles [Gifted*] | Black Shower Enclosure & Tray by Big Bathroom Shop [Gifted*] | Black Shower Head by Big Bathroom Shop [Gifted*] | Paint colour, Sea Urchin 1 by Dulux

Just to refresh your memory in this long saga, take a look at my moodboard of ideas before I started, I think it’s turned out just as I imagined it.

This is the original bathroom – a good size but very bland, and definitely not my style.  I really liked the panelling as it adds texture, but the bright blue was a big no no for me.  I decided to keep the existing bath, basin and loo – in an ideal world, I would have replaced them for something a bit more exciting and modern, but since they were all in good condition, it helped to keep the costs down. But the shower had to go – grimy and outdated!

Pink Tiles by Tons of Tiles [Gifted*] 

The pink tiles* from Tons of Tiles up and waiting to be grouted.  Very exciting moment.  I decided to go for grey grout in the hope that it won’t get that discoloured, dirty look so familiar with white grouting.

Pink Tiles by Tons of Tiles [Gifted*] | Black Shower Enclosure & Tray by Big Bathroom Shop [Gifted*] | Black Shower Head by Big Bathroom Shop [Gifted*] 

The black shower enclosure* and white slate shower tray from Big Bathroom Shop being fitted – I’m absolutely in love with it!  An element of black works in any room, and I feel it works especially well contrasted with the pink tiles to stop it looking so girly. I also chose a black shower head* from Big Bathroom Shop to complete the black streamlined theme.

Palmaria Wallpaper by Osborne & Little [Gifted*]  | With Polyvine Decorators Varnish applied over the top to help it withstand the moisture in the bathroom

The panelling has been painted in Sea Urchin 1 by Dulux.  I originally choose a Zoffany colour for it, but decided to go for a slightly lighter version.  As the fabulous extravagant Palmaria wallpaper* from Osborne & Little was going up, I could start to see the mood board I’d created of my dream tropical paradise bathroom coming to life.

Now on to the finished bathroom…

Faux Trailing String of Pearls | Go Ape Plant Pot | Palmaria Wallpaper by Osborne & Little [Gifted*] 

Palmaria Wallpaper by Osborne & Little [Gifted*] | Gold Monkey | Artificial Philo Plant | Dripping Gold Plant Pot | Gold Rock On Hand | Peacock Vase | Toucan Candle Holder | Artificial Fan Palm | Artificial Orchid | Artificial Trailing Fern | Go Ape Plant Pot

Now that it’s finally finished I love it so much.  It’s just what I imagined and hoped for.  Fully accessorized by Audenza, of course. Continuing the tropical theme with a colourful toucan pillar candle holder and a gold long tailed monkey.  I did have real plants in here but they were getting a bit frazzled by the sun, so I’ve moved onto faux plants and flowers, with our ever popular dripping gold effect concrete plant pot and a majestic petrol peacock vase.  I love having such a deep windowsill, it gives me so much scope for decorative pieces to complement the look.

Gold Monkey | Artificial Philo Plant | Dripping Gold Plant Pot | Gold Rock On Hand

Peacock Vase | Toucan Candle Holder | Artificial Fan Palm | Artificial Orchid | Artificial Trailing Fern

Faux Trailing String of Pearls | Go Ape Plant Pot

And the final touch is the black and white vinyl flooring which has a conservatory vibe to it.  It looks fabulous but it was a bit of a disaster at the time due to being badly fitted, but we won’t go into that here!  Now it’s time to relax with a long hot soak in a candlelit bath in my tropical paradise.  What do you think?

*Gifted – the starred items have very kindly been gifted for this project.

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We have a really nice big bathroom, but it’s very bland and the shower is quite old and grimy!  Not quite the luxury retreat I envisaged for our first bathroom.  I find mood boards really helpful, so I put one together for our bathroom renovation.  An extravagant, tropical bathroom in pink and teal, with black accents to make it more striking.

[This post contains some gifted items]

Palmaria Wallpaper by Osborne & Little [Gifted*] | Pink Tiles by Tons of Tiles [Gifted*] | Black Shower Enclosure & Tray by Big Bathroom Shop [Gifted*] | Black Shower Head by Big Bathroom Shop [Gifted*] | Paint colour, Serpentine by Zoffany [Gifted*] | Faux Trailing String of Pearls | Artificial Philo House Plant

Due to the Covid crisis all work came to a standstill for a few months, so I have all the lovely products but I’m now waiting for decorator and flooring people to come.  The mood board has sustained me through the wait and I can’t wait to get it finished and enjoy my luxury tropical bathroom.

This is the before photo – bland and uninspiring, but large and light filled.  The bath, loo and basin are of good quality and good condition so I have kept them to keep costs down.  I fell in love with this black shower enclosure* with white slate tray from Big Bathroom Shop.   The slim frame and very shallow tray are much more streamlined than many shower enclosures.  I chose a black shower head* from them too, to complete the black theme.

The pink tiles* from Tons of Tiles are absolutely stunning and I’m having grey grouting – no more grimy discoloured grouting, hopefully!

I’m keeping the panelling, as it gives texture to the walls and creates interest, and that will be painted in one of my favourite colours, Serpentine* from Zoffany. My front room is painted in this colour as I can’t get enough of it, obviously.  We have also used this colour quite a bit in previous photo shoots for Audenza and it really is a gorgeous colour, rich and warm.  And last but not least, the extravagant Palmaria wallpaper* from Osborne & Little.   Large teal palm leaves on a gloriously metallic background.

The final piece of the design is the vinyl flooring, which is a black and white design reminiscent of a conservatory, as I wanted a sort of palm house vibe for the bathroom.  For the styling I already have several large real palm plants round the bath, but intend to supplement that with some faux plants to get the look without too much TLC.  And lots of brass pots for that all essential touch of gold.

I’m so excited that it’s all finally coming to fruition and can’t wait to see the finished room after months of it being on hold.  Watch this space for the full reveal of my tropical retreat.

*Gifted – the starred items have very kindly been gifted for this project.

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Not quite how you’d expect that sentence to end is it?  Glamorous, trendy and visually stunning are not words you hear too often in the caravan world (we have a family caravan in Norfolk, which ticks none of those boxes).  But along came ‘Brigitte’ – the glamavan who now calls St Tropez her home.  Bought for £250 from eBay and transformed into a bohemian paradise by her owner, interior designer and blogger, Jane Ashton.  We couldn’t wait to share the renovation with you, so we asked Jane to tell us more….

First off, could you introduce yourself and tell us what you do?

I’m an Interior Designer by trade. After spending many years as what I refer to as a ‘Serial Renovator’ completing numerous personal renovation projects, from alpine farmhouses to port side harbour apartments, I decided to make a career out of my passion and experience,  so I went and got myself professionally qualified. Now I offer full service Interior Design as well as Design Mentoring for people who need help getting their ideas and focus together for their own renovation projects. I also still manage to fit a few of my own pet projects in, hence Brigitte!

What made you decide to want to buy a caravan?

Decide? Well it didn’t really happen like that. Like most of my ‘schemes’ or should I say dreams, it started out as a romantic whim. I must state right here that I am an incurable romantic with a Bohemian spirit and so wild and whimsical ideas that I weave into stories are usually how my best work happens! Brigitte started out as a musing and ended up becoming the boho beach home of Brigitte Bardot, well in my head anyway!

It started in the summer of 2015, though I suspect it had been building for much longer than that.  We were on our annual holiday in St. Tropez which is one of  my favourite places. We noticed a small campsite just literally off of the beach 100 metres, a stroll via the sand, no roads. It was like the place had stood still in time, it looked like something from the 1970’s  there were no gleaming vans, all were well used and the whole thing was set on a simple grassy area surrounded by rushes. On investigation we met the owners, a lovely old Tropezian couple. The lady’s family owned the farm and had done for generations, so this was truly home to her and her guests on the site had been coming for, in some cases, annually for 30-40 years, always guaranteed in their favourite pitch! This wasn’t about money, which is very unusual in St Tropez, this was a real love for her land and her clients, who, we have since discovered have invariably become friends. Once I saw this place I knew I had to spend time here and so the plan took shape, all I needed now was a caravan..

Can you tell us more about the design concept and what inspired you?  You’re an interior designer, so I imagine you had a mood board for the scheme? 

Once I had decided I needed a caravan, I knew it had to be a vintage/retro caravan. Apart from the fact I am not a fan of new caravans, I find them extremely uninspiring generally, I knew it had to be ‘ours’ and completely individual, so I got to dreaming… the combination of the 1970’s campsite vibe, the boho scene in the Côte d’Azur during the 70’s and the glamour of St. Tropez conjured only one image for me, Brigitte Bardot (BB as she is affectionately known in France), the former resident, queen and mascot of the town.  I started to visualise her living all boho and hippy chic on the beach.  This initially seems quite odd when I say this to people as when they think of BB they think of an international glamorous star, which indeed she was, but in fact, she led quite a simple life down in her beloved St Tropez, her home was beautiful but quite rustic and relaxed, certainly not at all the high glamour you might expect, she drove around in a simple rugged open top jeep with her dogs on board and ate in the simple beach restaurants, enjoying a casual boho lifestyle.

When working on the concept I searched for images of her for inspiration for the interior and I came across a couple of images of her in her St Tropez home in the 70’s ‘la Madrague’ a waterfront property . As you can see it was a bright, light and plant filled space with fashionable both then and now, boho wicker chairs and touches of pink and orange. Very natural and chic like Brigitte herself. Obviously it wouldn’t have been practical to hang plants in a caravan so I opted for the amazing wallpaper by Sian Zeng to give it that verdant feel and wood plank flooring for rusticity.  Her white crochet dress was the inspiration for a macrame curtain I added to the bedroom area, plus as it is Brigitte it needed a touch of luxe gold to finish it off.

Can you tell us a little bit more about the renovation work needed?

I  won her in an auction on eBay for £250 so I wasn’t expecting much, it was her shape I was drawn to.  I wanted a retro van from the 70’s, she is a 1974 Abbey.  Despite having clearly been disused and probably sat in a field for quite a while she was in pretty good shape. There was a little damp in one area which we had to strip out and replace, but apart from that it was mainly redesigning, refitting and decoration rather than hard core body repairs. Once stripped and relined where necessary, we added a shower and loo, compact but effective and far nicer than the grim little porta potty in a cupboard which was there to begin with. Next to this we added a small vanity area with sink, where the old kitchen used to be. We had a fixed double bed fitted in next to this as we didn’t want the hassle of having to keep making up a bed. We moved the window from the back to the side to make the back to the bed more comfortable and fitted a brand new kitchen, with oven, fridge, hob and added flaps to cover the hob and an additional flap for extra preparation space. We left the bench seats as they were as there was nothing wrong with them and I had new cushions made and covered the old original table

How long did the renovation + design work take?

She was stripped out just before Christmas and we completed her by the end of April, so 4 months, if only a whole house renovation was so quick!

Were there any challenges you faced along the way?

All renovations present challenges but that’s really the fun for me, it’s finding solutions and going the extra mile to get exactly what is in your head, that’s what makes it so rewarding. Often the dream doesn’t correspond with what is actually obtainable off the shelf. For example, I had originally shortlisted a House of Hackney palm print wallpaper and the Sian Zeng and had decided to go with the House of Hackney because they also did a fabric for the upholstery in the same print, but due to copyright  issues they weren’t happy to let me get the vinyl wrap for the exterior printed in the same design which was essential to my overall concept. So I had to opt for the alternative, Sian Zeng and I am so glad I went for this design now as I think it works even better that the palm design would have done. However Sian only does wallpaper in this design so I had  to get some linen fabric especially printed, to achieve this

I also wanted to have an aged brass table top but the weight of this would have been far too heavy, another consideration when renovating caravans, but I was so happy with the Formica effect Carrara marble (again the real stuff or stone was too heavy), I had the original table overlaid with a hammered brass Formica. It also wasn’t so easy finding the right company to work on the vinyl wrap and we ended up taking her all the way down to the south coast, and getting a good paint finish on 70’s mock walnut laminate is also not much fun! Apart from that, fitting all the home comforts you desire into a tiny space presents a big challenge, I will never again complain about designing small rooms! 

Would you do anything differently now that Brigitte is finished?

I would change absolutely nothing about her she is perfect as she is, but I would love to do another, I already have a concept planned!

Well, I think it’s safe to say, if you weren’t into the idea of caravanning before, you certainly will be now!  Even Amelia (who prefixes any search on Google for holidays with ‘Luxury’) is very taken with this idea.  Jane actually offers caravan design and refurbishment services, so if you fancy having a go yourself, but you’d love some design help, or you’d rather someone else just do the lot and you get to enjoy the holidays at the end, then do get in touch with Jane via her website.  You can re-track the whole process of Brigitte’s makeover via Jane’s blog, including video tour: Brigitte Caravan Tour.

So tell me, which is your favourite bit?  For me, it’s the wrap – the interior décor is divine, but that pattern, on the OUTSIDE of a caravan?! C’est formidable!

Hollie x

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Image Credit: Jane Ashton

You wouldn’t even know this is a bathroom as you can hardly see any sanitary ware but oh my what lushness, fancy being be surrounded by a tropical jungle whilst the steam rises from the shower. And the fabulous turquoise tiles that enclose the space like a Moroccan hideaway.

Another tropical theme going on here, but much easier to look after since it’s in wallpaper rather than the real thing. Ever practical like I am! And that gold/brass wash basin is so luxurious and decadent, definitely on my wish list for the next bathroom revamp.

This has to be my favourite – I love the sheer size of the room to start with, and the size of that shower… wow! Not that I would relish the job of cleaning it! But still, if you were going to dream big then this bathroom has a lot going for it, from the striking dark blue walls and ceiling contrasting with the expanse of green tiling to the fabulously decadent chandelier. Who wouldn’t want a chandelier in their bathroom? I love a bit of the unexpected.

Elegant, classy and restrained and I love the way the floor tiling has been continued through the glass shower cabinet to give the room a feeling of space. The monochrome colour scheme simplifies and gives an abiding sense of peace and calm.

French Château chic at its best, with a wonderful feeling of light and space and the gauzy curtain adds a touch of romanticism. Feminine, but with the copper bath to give an edge of solidity and grandeur which speaks of timeless elegance.

So, five bathrooms to inspire and motivate you, all very different but all with that certain something that lifts them out of the ordinary and makes a space feel unique. Which is your favourite and are there ideas there you can take to make your bathroom feel special? Are you a jungle kind of person or a lover of simplicity? I would love to know what you think.

Jacqui x

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Images from Houzz

This property was in a sad state but structurally sound so it was quite a straightforward job to rewire and plaster throughout. The main work was to remove a very grotty bathroom from the end of the kitchen and turn this space into a utility with sink, cupboards, plumbing for a washing machine and tumble dryer and a loo.

The wall at the end of the kitchen was removed so that the back door was incorporated into the kitchen making the kitchen more spacious and visually appealing. With the installation of new base units, slim line wall units and a built in cooker, hob and extractor fan the kitchen is now a contemporary and stylish space. The cream units and white metro tiles (grouted in cream) give the room a good neutral base for the new owner to work with and for them to jazz up or accentuate as they please.

A new bathroom was installed in the third bedroom incorporating a large bath and a large walk in shower with white metro tiles grouted in a pale grey. The boiler cupboard is in the bathroom and is quite large so Dan fitted shelves so it makes a great airing cupboard – something missing in most new homes. The grey wood effect lino is warm underfoot and the grey is picked up on the bath panel and window ledge. The sanitary ware is all white which makes the room very spacious and calming.

The small back yard was just a mud bath so Dan built a raised stone terrace at the bottom of the yard where it catches the sun and gravelled the rest to make a neat and maintenance free courtyard which is perfect for alfresco dining. By raising the terrace it creates different levels which is always more visually appealing.

The rest of the house has been carpeted in soft grey which is very on trend and appeals to the younger market. The combination of the grey and neutral tones makes for a very calming and spacious home and enables a prospective purchaser to envisage themselves in the space whatever their taste in décor.   I love the way Dan has transformed this tired and dingy Victorian terrace into a desirable and contemporary home.

So, what do you think?  I would love to hear your comments below, or if you have any suggestions for what you might have done with the space.

Jacqui x

Photography: Amelia Brooks

‘House Renovation- Before and After Shots’ written by Jacqui Brooks

Remember what the garden looked like before the renovation?  Well this is how it looks now..

Such an improvement.  One of my other brothers (I have three!) is a tree surgeon and gardener, so he removed several large trees which were making the space dark and cramped and removed about two tonnes of soil and concrete.  Sandstone slabs were then laid to create a really lovely area for tables and chairs (just out of the shot).   I love the colour that Dan has painted the garden gate too, the outhouse (which has been re roofed and re pointed) is the same colour as well.  I think this colour is perfect for a renovation project that you’re planning to sell on, it’s very neutral and non gender specific, but still really classic and stylish.

What a difference to the bathroom eh?  The whole thing has been completely renovated, with new shower, tiling, floor and units.  I think adding a bath is a must really for renovation projects, for so many it’s something that could make or break a property, particularly if you think your target market might be young families with kids.

 So this is the in between stages of the kitchen and reception rooms- literally everything was ripped out in order to start again.  The house had a new roof, new wiring, central heating installed, re plastered, new carpets upstairs, new laminate floors laid downstairs and new UPVC double glazing at the rear.  So, as you can see, this really was a full renovation!

And here is the finished, fully renovated kitchen! We thought we’d show you a direct comparison to the old kitchen here, so you could really see the transformation. There was a really small kitchen area with the units in and a larger open space with the fridge and a chair (and not much else) and a wall in between. Dan knocked down the wall to create one large kitchen area. It’s now a really good size, which I think is something most people are looking for in a house and there’s plenty of room for a dining table as well at the end of the units. What do you think?

 The new living room is also another drastic improvement to the house. The two, separate reception rooms have been knocked through to create one really large and spacious living room. It’s so light and airy and perfect for a couple or young family. The two photos above show different ends of the room, but it’s all one!

I also noticed that there was plenty of plug sockets, a simple thing, (and yes, they not particularly attractive) but it is so irritating when houses have one or two plug sockets for a huge room, people will be walking around on viewing day thinking about having to pay to have more put in. I guess it’s simple things like that that you have to think about when you’re renovating, it’s more than just a lick of paint, fitting new units and getting in and out as quickly as possible. It’s getting into the buyers mind set and imagining yourself living there. Obviously it costs more to add lots of plug sockets (and the like) but ultimately if a buyer thinks they can move straight in, and can’t think of anything that they would need to do to be comfortable there, then you’re already ahead of the competition. I guess it’s weighing up what a buyer would NEED in order to live there comfortably (plug sockets are an example) and the things that they will do gradually themselves anyway.

OK, so I just wrote an entire paragraph about plug sockets! But you get what I mean don’t you?!

The original fireplace in the bedroom has been painted black to give it a really contemporary feel, with tiles laid infront.  I think this makes a lovely feature in the bedroom, don’t you?   Plus brand new carpets throughout upstairs too.

And here is that same lovely inky charcoal colour again used on the front door (which is a new hardwood door).  The original wooden sash windows at the front of the property have been refurbished and repainted white to give them a really fresh feel.  I love the fact that he’s been able to keep the wooden windows at the front, I much prefer them to UPVC, don’t you?  There was also a wall in the front garden which has been removed to create off street parking, which is a huge plus point on a busy residential street where parking is limited.

So what do you think to the renovation then? I love it! What a difference! It’d be a perfect first home for me that’s for sure!

I’d love to hear what you think and also to hear about any renovation projects that you’ve done yourself.  Don’t forget to have a look at all of the before shots if you haven’t already.  The total renovation cost £35,000, so not cheap by any stretch, but it’s completely transformed the property and should still allow for a good profit once it’s sold.

Audenza x

House Renovation- After Shots. By Hollie Brooks

His most recent renovation project was in a particularly bad way, but the most shocking thing was that someone was actually living in there up until the point it was sold.  Amelia and I went to have a look around and take some photos of the house and we honestly could not believe that someone had been living in those conditions.  There wasn’t even a light in any of the bedrooms and every ceiling had a whole in it, which coupled with a leaky roof, meant every time it rained, the house got soaked!  It was safe to say this house was in serious need of renovation!

This was how the kitchen area looked beforehand, there was a very small sectioned off area which had the actual kitchen units in and then another room next to it with the fridge and basically just a chair in it.  I don’t know a lot about the man that lived there before, whether he chose to live like this or that he didn’t have the money, or maybe wasn’t even fit and able enough to sort out the problems, but it’s certainly sad to think that this is how he lived.

Downstairs there was then two separate living rooms (above) and the garden (below).

The garden had an armchair in it which had so much moss on it, it looked like it was becoming at one with nature!

This was the upstairs bathroom- it reminds me of those horror photos you see on holiday programmes sometimes! Even the workmen didn’t want to have to use it!

Above and below shows the upstairs bedrooms and the holes in the ceilings.

So there’s the before shots, what do you think?! The finishing touches are being made to the house at the moment and I’ll post again next week with the after shots of the renovation.  I can’t wait to see it myself actually, I haven’t been since we took these first photos, so I think I’ll be in  for a shock by the sounds of it!

Update: you can now see the after shots here.

Audenza x

House Renovation- Before Shots. By Hollie Brooks