New Town Heritage Bathroom Project
Not every bathroom renovation is about starting from scratch. Sometimes the best result comes from knowing what to preserve.
For this bathroom renovation in New Town, our client wanted to replace a dated bathroom with a spacious walk-in shower while maintaining the beautiful Federation character of their home. The challenge was to introduce modern functionality without losing the warmth, craftsmanship and timeless features that had been part of the property for generations.
The completed renovation combines contemporary building techniques with carefully restored heritage elements, resulting in a bathroom that feels elegant, practical and perfectly suited to the home.
“It has been a pleasure to undertake this major renovation project with D. Williams Builders. Together, we were able to co-create a design that sensitively blended old cabinet ware with a thoroughly modern bathroom. The quality of the craftsmanship, the courteous, problem-solving approach of workers on site and the excellent coordination of tradesmen was faultless. This thoroughness and attention to detail was reflected in the final clean and walk through. D. Williams aim to get the best possible outcome for a client - and they succeed.”
The original shower-over-bath arrangement limited accessibility and made everyday use less practical, while the finishes no longer reflected the quality of the rest of the home. At the same time, the homeowner was passionate (rightly so!) about preserving the character that made their Federation home unique.
The project required significant structural work, including demolition, floor modifications to create compliant shower falls, complete waterproofing, new plumbing and electrical services, while carefully protecting and reinstating original heritage features throughout the renovation.
What We Delivered
For this project, we collaborated with the client right from the design phase. Developing concept plans to ensure the final outcome was exactly what the client envisioned.
Extract of concept plan detailing tile layout
Working closely with the homeowner, our team completed a full heritage bathroom renovation that respected the home's original architecture while introducing modern comfort, accessibility and performance.
The project included:
Complete demolition of the existing bathroom
Structural floor modifications to create a walk-in shower with a recessed linear strip drain
Frameless fixed glass shower screen
Large-format porcelain wall and floor tiling
Full waterproofing system
New plumbing and electrical services
Underfloor heating with touchscreen controller
Heated towel rail
New ventilation and heating unit
Reinstallation of the original timber vanity
Reinstallation of the original vanity mirror
Preservation of the original stained-glass Federation window
Installation of green feature tiles inspired by traditional heritage colour palettes
Every detail was carefully considered to ensure the new work blended seamlessly with the existing home while meeting modern building standards and providing lasting durability
The Result
The finished bathroom feels bright, spacious and timeless.
Replacing the bath with a generous walk-in shower immediately opened the room, while the frameless glass shower screen allows natural light from the original stained-glass window to flow throughout the space.
A restrained palette of marble-look porcelain floor tiles, crisp white wall tiles and rich green feature tiles creates a calm, elegant backdrop that complements the home's Federation character rather than competing with it.
One of the standout features is the beautiful timber vanity. By carefully preserving and reinstalling this original piece, the renovation maintains an authentic connection to the home's history while delivering the functionality expected of a modern bathroom.
Hidden beneath the finished surfaces are upgraded plumbing, electrical services, premium waterproofing, underfloor heating and improved ventilation, ensuring the bathroom performs as beautifully as it looks.
Why It Matters
Projects like this highlight the value of thoughtful collaboration between homeowners, designers and skilled trades.
Good renovations are not simply about adding rooms. They are about understanding how people live and shaping spaces to support that.
By reworking the existing structure, carefully integrating new services and applying skilled craftsmanship, a once-underutilised room has been transformed into a space that will support the household for years to come.
It’s a reminder that the most impactful renovations often come not from building bigger — but from building smarter.
Project Completed: June 2026
Photographer: Adele Sherrin Photography