A French Provincial guest bathroom

Debbie Anastassiou of Despina Design turns her talents on her own guest bathroom with this charming French style bathroom re-fit.

Time is often a luxury in a bathroom renovation. But for Debbie Anastassiou of Despina Design, turning her hand on her own guest bathroom meant she had a lot of time to plan and get it just right. "I didn't have a deadline, so I planned it over eight months and found the pieces I wanted," says Debbie.

Designed to complement the look of the guest bedroom, the bathroom incorporates French provincial themes with an eclectic style, while maximising the small space.

"The guest bathroom only had a single basin and very big shower," says Debbie. "We wanted to convert it to accommodate a couple of people, and by reconfiguring the space we were able to fit in a double vanity, bath and toilet."

Inspired by the need to make the space appear larger, Debbie's design all began with the mirrors. "I thought by using those mirrors that go from the basin to the cornice, it would take the eye upward and make the room appear more spacious," she says.

Originally intending to have the mirrors custom made, she was pleased to come across some that matched her French style bathroom design exactly. Other fittings were cleverly adapted for the eclectic style of the bathroom, such as the wooden vanity unit, which was modified from a rustic wooden sideboard and handmade vessel basins.

"Ideally it would be good to have a stone top on the vanity, especially if children are using the bathroom, but we wanted more of an old-world look," says Debbie. "But the wood responds very well; you just need to put a little oil over it every now and then when you do your housework, and that keeps the moisture out," she says.

Debbie also took a novel approach to the borders on the travertine tiles. "Normally you use matching borders for the tiles, but because we got the stone a while ago, it was hard to find something in the dimensions we wanted," she says.

Her solution was to source some plasterboard moulding that had been sealed with marine varnish. "You can use it in wet conditions if it's sealed, and I was able to create a marble effect on the plasterboard to match the tiles," says Debbie.

One of the biggest changes in the guest bathroom was the addition of a large corner bath, which replaced the bulky shower. Now providing the option for either a quick shower or a long soak for her guests, Debbie also takes advantage of the new bath from time to time. "I don't have guests all the time, so sometimes I get to use it," she laughs.

Debbie Anastassiou, from Despina Design

Was it difficult to source the period fixtures, such as the mirrors?

No, but I did it over eight months. We didn't have a deadline so I had time to find the pieces I wanted, to give the bathroom a distinctly French style. I was actually going to have the mirrors handmade for the bathroom, from drawings I did, but I ended up finding some that were exactly what I wanted.

Do you need to be careful not to get the wooden vanity wet?

The wood responds very well; you just need to put a little oil over it every now and then and that seems to keep the moisture out. Ideally it would be good to have a stone top, especially if children are using the bathroom, but we wanted more of an old-world look.

Is it much different designing for yourself than for a client?

It depends on the client. Sometimes convincing clients to do something different is a bit of a challenge, but normally when they do go with a different idea they're really happy.

What was the existing bathroom like?

It was a guest bathroom, with only a single basin and a large shower in a very tight space. We wanted to convert it to accommodate a couple of people with a double basin and add a toilet and a big bath with a shower.

What were you hoping to achieve with your design?

The style was influenced by the French provincial look of the guest bedroom, and we knew the colours we wanted. Because it wasn't a very big space, I wanted to accentuate the proportions of the room. By putting in those mirrors that go from the basin to the cornice, it takes the eye upward and makes the room appear more spacious.

What is your favourite aspect of your new French bathroom?

Definitely the basins and the mirrors, and also the bath, because you can actually sit and still be immersed, and have a nice soak. I don't have guests all the time, so I sometimes get to use it.

Visit Yellow™ to find local retailers selling bathroom fittings and accessories for your bathroom renovation. In this category you’ll find bathroom equipment and fittings, including vanities, basins, taps, shower screens, mirrors and other bathroom accessories. Speciality suppliers will offer antique or period-style fittings. Find a store near you: