Looking for inspiration for a bathroom renovation in Graceville? This recent Hunter Bathrooms Brisbane project updated the main bathroom and separate toilet of a character-filled Queenslander, creating a fresh, practical space that still feels right at home in this older-style house.
The owners have lovingly kept many of the home’s original features over the years, so they didn’t want an ultra-modern bathroom that would feel out of place. By removing the old bath and nib wall for a walk-in shower, refreshing the separate toilet and landing, and choosing imported tiles, an antique-style vanity and classic chrome tapware, Hunter Bathrooms delivered a renovation that feels current while staying true to the character of the home.
The Challenge: A Modern Bathroom That Still Suits a Character Queenslander
This Graceville home is an older-style Queenslander, and the owners have carefully retained many of its original features. The brief was clear — they wanted a renovated bathroom that worked for everyday life, but nothing so sleek or contemporary that it would clash with the home’s traditional aesthetic.
The original bathroom felt dated and closed-in, with a built-in bath and nib wall taking up valuable space, pale blue tiles and an older vanity. The separate toilet and adjoining landing also needed attention. Like many homes of this era, the project came with an added complication: asbestos was present and required licensed specialist removal before any of the new work could begin.
Before
The Solution: A Walk-In Shower and Character-Filled Finishes
Once the asbestos had been safely removed by licensed specialists, the renovation could take shape. The old bath and nib wall were removed and replaced with an open walk-in shower, instantly making the bathroom feel larger, lighter and easier to use while keeping the layout simple and practical.
Rather than chasing an ultra-modern look, every finish was chosen to complement the home. Classic chrome tapware, an antique-style vanity and richly patterned tiles give the new bathroom a timeless feel that sits comfortably within a traditional Queenslander.
Imported Italian Tiles as the Feature
The tiles are the hero of this renovation. Imported from Italy and supplied by Elite Bathware and Tiles in East Brisbane, they bring colour, texture and a sense of craftsmanship to the room. The floor is laid in a detailed mosaic pattern, while the shower walls are finished in a small green-blue square tile embossed with a subtle half-circle motif.
Tiles like these take real skill to set out and lay well, so an experienced tiler was brought in to do them justice. Because the tiling does so much of the visual work, the rest of the palette was kept deliberately restrained — chrome tapware in a subtle finish lets the tiles remain the clear feature of the space.
An Antique-Style Vanity to Suit the Home
The vanity is from Early Settler and was chosen specifically for its antique look, which suits the character of the house far better than a sharp, modern unit would. Positioned under the window, it pairs a traditional white cabinet with a speckled stone top and a classic undermount basin, tying in beautifully with the chrome tapware and patterned floor.
Inside the shower, the owners opted for extra glass shelving rather than a built-in niche — a simple, elegant way to keep everyday items within reach without breaking up the run of feature tiles.
Separate Toilet and Landing
The separate toilet and landing area were redone to match, with new floor tiles carrying the same character through to these spaces. A new window was added to the toilet, which required new framing internally and fresh weatherboarding outside to match the home’s exterior — a reminder that renovating an older Queenslander often means working well beyond the bathroom walls.
This project also came with a uniquely Queensland surprise. When the toilet ceiling was demolished, the team discovered a resident carpet snake living in the roof space. Completely unbothered by the renovation going on around him, he was happily left where he was — a quiet local who clearly didn’t mind the works one bit.
Materials and Finishes
The finished renovation balances bold, characterful tiling with classic, understated fittings. Key features include:
- Walk-in shower in place of the original bath and nib wall.
- Imported Italian floor tiles in a detailed mosaic pattern, supplied by Elite Bathware and Tiles in East Brisbane.
- Green-blue feature wall tiles with a subtle half-circle motif in the shower.
- Early Settler vanity with an antique look, positioned under the window.
- Chrome tapware in a subtle finish so the tiles remain the feature.
- Glass shower shelving instead of a built-in niche.
- New floor tiles carried through the separate toilet and landing.
- New toilet window with fresh internal framing and matching weatherboarding outside.
The Result: A Renovation That Respects the Home
The finished Graceville bathroom feels fresh, open and full of character. The walk-in shower has transformed how the room functions, while the imported tiles, antique-style vanity and chrome tapware give it a personality that genuinely belongs in an older Queenslander.
From the mosaic floor to the green-blue feature tiles and the refreshed separate toilet and landing, every detail works to honour the home’s original charm rather than fight against it — exactly the balance the owners were after.
After
Planning a bathroom renovation for a character home or Queenslander in Brisbane? Hunter Bathrooms Brisbane can help you create a space that feels modern and practical while respecting the character you love. For trusted bathroom renovations Brisbane homeowners can rely on, explore our bathroom renovation process or get in touch to discuss your project.