Ken + Cynthia
Epsom, Auckland
Bathroom Renovations
There are renovations that modernise a home, and then there are renovations that honour it.
The work carried out at this character property in Epsom, a suburb well known for its beautiful heritage homes – is firmly in the second camp.
When Ken + Cynthia approached us about their bathroom and toilet, they weren't looking to erase what made their Epsom home special. Working alongside designer Joanne Godding, they wanted to bring it fully to life – pairing genuine heritage character with the comfort and finish of a contemporary home.
The Bathroom Renovation
Large-format Calacatta-look porcelain tiles wrap the walls floor to ceiling, reflecting soft recessed lighting and setting a tone of quiet luxury. But it's what's been kept that gives this bathroom its real character.
Two original leadlight windows have been lovingly retained and made a feature of. The tall window sits between the vanity and shower, throwing coloured light across the marble tiles. Above the bath, a smaller window sits in its original timber surround. Both anchor the room to its past while feeling entirely at home in the present.
The freestanding roll-top bath, finished in deep black on the outside with a classic white interior and original claw feet, commands the room beautifully. A spacious walk-in shower delivers a hotel-quality experience – rainfall head, handheld, and body jets, all in brushed nickel. A built-in niche runs along the shower wall, lit from above by a warm LED strip that highlights the textured mosaic tiles within. It's a small detail with a big impact.
The floating shaker-style vanity in muted grey-green, topped with white stone and a sculptural vessel basin, ties everything together – practical, elegant, and perfectly in keeping with the home.
The Toilet Renovation
Compact but full of personality. Original tongue-and-groove panelling painted in soft sage green sits above the same Calacatta-look tiling, while the original sash window looks out to the garden. A gallery wall of ornate antique frames – oils, mirrors, carved timber – lines one wall, lit by a pair of glass-shaded wall sconces.
The Result
Joanne Godding's design found exactly the right balance between the period character of this Epsom home and the expectations of a contemporary Auckland lifestyle. The leadlight windows are still here. The claw-foot bath is still here. The tongue-and-groove is still here. And alongside frameless glass and LED-lit niches, they look better than ever.
