Renovations are rarely just about tiles and tapware. When I redesigned the bathroom in our Sydney home, I found myself obsessing over finishes — but also reflecting on how a space can change the way you begin and end each day.
The process was full of meaningful decisions. Choosing a white paint, for example, became a months-long search — until Tint Paint stepped in with a custom colour match to my shower tiles. The result was perfect, and their low-VOC formula made me love it even more.
The floor was another labour of love. I wanted the mismatched charm of a French chateau, so we chose limestone-look Italian porcelain tiles for both beauty and practicality. Instead of following the recommended layout, we created our own pattern, with a one-centimetre grout line deliberately overfilled to soften the edges. The result? A floor with the time-worn character of cobblestones underfoot.
for your home
Le Parfum Charmant
I made Le Parfum Charmant Wash and Candle as a little ritual to bring French beauty into everyday life. The scent reminds me of mornings in Provence — soft, warm, and uplifting. I can’t wait for you to try it in your own home. Pre-order here.
Design shapes not only our spaces, but our daily rituals. I love to surround myself with calm & beauty.
Because the bathroom is small, I wanted the floor to take centre stage and create visual space. We restored an antique claw-foot bath in our own finishes, paired it with a vanity on decorative legs to feel more like furniture, and added a bench-mount sink. A mirrored antique frame and French sconces and antique brass tapware completed the space — destined to develop a soft patina over time, adding calm and lived-in beauty.
The walls were an adventure of their own: lime plastering. Messy, stressful at moments, but worth every bit of the learning curve. We deliberately left the trowel lines and subtle imperfections visible, giving the room the soulful, sun-worn texture of Provençal walls. Perfectly imperfect — and wonderfully alive.
What began as a practical renovation became a lesson in atmosphere. The finished room feels curated, calm, and deeply personal — a reminder that design isn’t just about how things look, but how they make you feel.
Le Parfum Charmant Wash & Candle
That journey inspired the creation of Le Parfum Charmant Wash and Candle. With warm, powdery notes of vanilla, sandalwood, and cinnamon, the fragrance carries the same sense of calm and beauty into my daily rituals. A way to bring the spirit of a time-worn Provençal bathroom — elegant, peaceful, and quietly indulgent — into your every day too.
Because design doesn’t end at the surfaces of a room; it carries into the way you live, the mood you want to create, and the small rituals you choose to surround yourself with.
Interior design & build – Karen Miles
Build – Stuart Miles
Antique Brass Bathrack – The English Tapware Company
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Great bathroom renovations teach you that living well is about intention—choosing quality over shortcuts, patience over rush, and comfort over trends. The process shows how thoughtful design and everyday functionality can quietly improve your routines and your quality of life.
I couldn’t agree more!
Great post! A bathroom renovation teaches you that living well is about comfort, functionality, and personal style. Upgrading fixtures, optimizing space, and creating a relaxing atmosphere shows how thoughtful design can improve daily routines and overall well-being.