Transforming Spaces: The Inglewood Project and its Renovation Journey from the Tired 80s to a Luxury, Modern Bathroom Retreat
Renovating a bathroom, kitchen or laundry can be an overwhelming prospect. But for some, there’s nothing more satisfying. To better understand the processes that make for a seamless renovation journey and outcome, we spoke to Kelly Donougher, Director, and Designer at 13 Interiors. With more than 300 interior transformations under her belt, Kelly tells us about her latest client renovation project, the reasons she selected certain laundry and bathroom taps, and why renovating your bathroom with a design studio on board is incredibly beneficial.
Kelly’s passion for design started from a young age, but really came to life when she was building and designing her own home. She now runs a successful interior design studio based in WA and says, “There’s nothing more satisfying than creating a dream space for [her] clients to call their forever home.”
When asked what factors she thinks lead to successful renovations, Kelly says “100% quality is key – this is the first step in any design process and continues into the trades and completion of a home. We work on at least 30 projects Australia wide at the one time, so clear processes, along with trusted brands, suppliers and trades make for a seamless journey.”
Quality tapware, showers, and accessories
The trend toward quality is one Kelly is seeing among her clients too. “There is a shift towards sustainability and harder wearing finishes and fixtures. Clients are really thinking about the longevity and functionality of their spaces. Basically, a higher level of consideration which is great.”
Having used Phoenix as a trusted supplier for many years, Kelly says the quality and product offering is hard to go past. “We often use Phoenix in our designs, with styles from traditional to modern and every collection available in a variety of finishes with accessories to suit. Plus, the quality PVD (Physical Vapour Deposition) finish is a win for us and our clients.”
Nuage Wall Basin/Bath Mixer Set in Brushed Carbon
The Inglewood project ‘s bathroom and laundry renovation
Her latest project, based in the inner-city Perth suburb of Inglewood, has seen an almost unrecognisable upgrade, with Kelly describing it as a “dramatic transformation from the tired old 80s laundry and bathroom into a luxury retreat away.” Where previously there were small multi-coloured tiles, and an old school vinyl covered vanity, Kelly’s team have crafted a space that is not only modern and elegant, but calming to enter. Briefed in by the clients to include maximum functionality and a luxury masculine feel, Kelly says that storage and use of space, as well as the colours, tapware and shower choices were crucial to the ‘wow’ factor of the Inglewood project.
A before shot of the Inglewood Project
Selecting the bathroom taps, showers and accessories
Alongside a luxurious double shower in the bathroom, striking porcelain panels and black framing, Kelly and her team chose to hero the Nuage Collection in Brushed Carbon. “I chose Nuage tapware and showers because they have a unique style that suit our client’s modern masculine brief. We wanted something that had a solid feel but was also balanced and in proportion to the space, with large vanity, basins and high raked ceiling.”
Like all good interior designers, Kelly has an eye for selecting fixtures that will fit seamlessly within a space. The Nuage collection’s organically derived contours add a modern, sculptural edge to the bathroom, and in the Brushed Carbon finish, Kelly observes that it picks up the warmth in the surrounding neutrals. “If ever there were a match made in heaven, it would be the Phoenix Nuage in Brushed Carbon and Cosentino Dekton Daze porcelain”. The Nuage collection has been recognised internationally for its unique and functional product composition with a Good Design award (2020 – 21), an iF Design Award (2021, 2023), and a Red Dot Award (2022).
The Nuage Collection in Brushed Carbon compliments the Cosentino Dekton Daze porcelain beautifully.
Nuage High Rise Shower Arm and Rose, Nuage Shower / Wall Mixers and Vivid Slimline Hand Shower all in Brushed Carbon
For the Inglewood Project’s laundry tap, Kelly chose the Vivid Slimline Pull Out Sink Mixer, also in Brushed Carbon. “It’s perfect with the pull down function making it easy to clean the large sink, and again, the Brushed Carbon finish paired beautifully with the warmer colour tones and added a touch of masculinity for our homeowner’s style. The quality finish is a huge too – you know it’s going to be good for long term use and wear.”
Functionality and form – the Vivid Slimline Pull Out Sink Mixer in Brushed Carbon
The benefits of renovating your bathroom with an interior design studio on board
To describe how the client and designer journey works, Kelly explains “It all starts with our meet and greet – we call this our design exploration meeting, where we really delve into what our clients want to see, their style, things they love and don’t love.”
Once they have this insight, Kelly and her team begin selecting materials and progress to 3D design and visualisation. “We refine and then send the conceptual designs to our client for review and feedback. Once our designs are approved, we move into documentation for our trades or builders to refer to. We create and design everything in-house so it’s a seamless journey for our clients.”
The 3D Design Visualisation that 13 Interiors created for their client prior to the project commencing.
Although Kelly loves to empower homeowners with the skills to style their own space, she’s certain that larger renovation projects are far more successful with a studio on board. “These skills are not something we’ve learnt overnight,” she explains, before listing the benefits of hiring experts, which include, maximising your space for functionality and longevity; selecting fixtures and finishes that pair based on the style and brief; the skills to translate what you want to see in your space and bring it to life; an understanding of spatial planning; using the right materials and knowing how they will impact and last in your home; as well as experience managing the project – including the difficulties – all the way through to completion.
Nuage Shower / Wall Mixers and Vivid Slimline Hand Shower in Brushed Carbon
Seeing the results of a project like Inglewood is obviously very rewarding, but for Kelly, there’s nothing better. “When you see the completed project is exactly what we’d designed for our clients and the ultimate transformation that it has created for them – it’s the best feeling in the world as a designer and business owner.”
You can see more on the Inglewood Project on the 13 Interiors website.
