Kennedy Residence
Interior Design Renovation in Toowoomba
Project Type: Renovation
Project Phase: Concept Design
The Starting Point
When a leak was discovered in the bathroom, a renovation was required. Aware of the dangers of mould and the need for a comprehensive approach, the owners reached out for my professional support. To compliment the work, an overall internal upgrade will improve natural light flow throughout the home.
The dangers of bathroom leaks
The difficulty with water leaks is that once water gets into inaccessible spaces (in this case, the wall cavities), it continues to flow through causing water damage.
Ideally, a leak needs to be dried out within 24 hours, or bacteria and fungi can start to develop. When this happens, mycotoxins can also form and deterioration of porous materials begins. You might think they’re contained to the walls, but these toxins can still have damaging health implications (speaking from personal experience).
Preliminary sketch of a vanity design
The owners agreed that the best course of action in this situation would be to renovate the bathroom (with the engagement of an IICRC-certified remediator on board to minimise any spores and toxins spreading through the home during the demolition phase).
The bathroom is currently on a slab, retaining the existing services location is preferred to minimise construction and project costs.
The existing layout was quite functional already, so the renovation is a rebuild right down to the wall linings (and any other damaged materials that may be concealed behind existing elements) while also updating the overall aesthetic.
Anything that is still is good working order is being retained in order to minimise waste. Though new finishes will be required post-demolition and a small selection of fittings.