School teacher Alison Hayes turned to the Online Flooring Store when she and her husband decided to update the primary bathroom in their home.
Shop the Look
1 Cassa Design Egg Shape Freestanding Bath-Matte White 2 Rockstone 600×600 tiles in Grey Lappato 3 Livella on Slab Underfloor Heating Kit 4 Milli Glance Wall Basin Mixer Tap Set 5 Ian Monty Timber Stool 6 Timberline Denver Shaving Cabinet 7 Esko Sabbia Soap Dish- Sand 8 Oliveri Vienna BTW Toilet Suite 9 Celine Basin Sink – Matte White
Enjoy this excerpt from our interview with Alison.
Tell Us a Bit About Yourself, What You Enjoy, and Who Shares Your Home
My name is Alison Hayes, and I am a schoolteacher. I enjoy travelling, cooking, and decorating my home. I also love to get new inspiration for home decoration. I share my home with my husband and our daughter.
When Did You Get Your Home, and Why Did You Decide to Redo the Flooring?
My husband and I built our one-storey home in 2001. Over the past four or five years, we began renovating different areas of our home. Our tastes have changed, and so have decorating trends.
We began changing the floorplan of our ensuite to make better use of our walk-in-robe. The change included enlarging our bathroom, and we decided we wanted to use large format tiles because they give an updated look. We also wanted a more modern yet classic colour scheme and fixtures. We chose the Rockstone 600×600 Grey Lappato tile for the floor and feature wall. We felt it was a perfect contrast to the classic 600×300 gloss white wall tile covering all the remaining wall areas. We were keen to add underfloor heating and chose the Livella single-wire system as we could heat the entire floor area with no cold spots.
We also added plantation shutters to help with the ambient heat. They also look lovely and are easy to clean.
Describe Your Home Aesthetic and Style
I like a simplistic modern look with a lack of clutter. I like white with natural tones and a kick of colour in the right places.
Tell Us More About How You Decided to Install Heated Floors
While on holiday in New Zealand, our apartment had underfloor heating in the tiled spaces. We loved the comfort of having no cold spots on the floor.
I discovered the Livella system through Online Flooring Store and saw there are no ‘cold spots’ on the floor, unlike the underfloor heating that uses mats.
I was sold when I saw how affordable Livella underfloor heating is.
Did Installing the Heating System Cause Any Limitations Regarding the Style of Tiles You Wanted for Your Bathroom?
No. The Livella system is impressive. It is safe under any floor covering, including carpet. With tiles, though, there is no limit on how high you can set the temperature. Within reason, of course, since you still must be able to walk on it.
Was It Difficult to Install?
It took my husband and me about an hour to install the heating cable, as the directions were clear and simple. Then the tiler arrived and installed the tile over the top of the Livella system.
Do You Recommend Heated Floors, and Why?
Absolutely! The system is easy and affordable. You can create zones in different areas of the house and run each off its thermostat. Retrofitting is extremely easy as well.
If we build again, I want the ‘In Slab’ system put into the slab itself. This could tie into solar power and heat the floor for four hours during the day. Later in the day, the ambient heat in the slab can keep the floors warm for the other 20 hours.
What is Your Favourite Part of Your Bathroom?
Honestly, it is the underfloor heating system. Living in Queensland, I did not think it would make that much difference. I was wrong. I also like that having tiles from floor to ceiling. It is easy to keep clean.
What Are Your Top Five Tips for a Bathroom Reno?
1- Choose a colour scheme that compliments the rest of your house.
2- Install a Livella underfloor heating system.
3- If you can, install the tiles from floor to ceiling throughout, as it is easier to clean.
4- Dry off tiles and glass after showering to maintain the new look.
5- I like the look of a darker floor tile on the floor with a light wall to reflect the light. The light wall tile gives the impression of a larger area.
