Picture stepping into a bathroom that once felt boxed-in and dim, and finding it now open, sun-filled and calm, the kind of space you would expect in a boutique hotel rather than a family home in Dural.
That was the transformation our client came to us for. The original bathroom was closed in and disconnected, with a layout that fought against the room instead of working with it. Rather than tile over the same problems, our in-house design and building team took the space back to first principles: we removed an internal wall, extended the bathroom footprint and redesigned the entire layout from the ground up.
The finished bathroom feels significantly larger, lighter and more luxurious, while staying warm and genuinely practical for everyday family use. As a Dural-based renovator, this project sits just minutes from our showroom, and it is one we are proud to point to as a local example of what a full structural renovation can achieve.
A complete layout redesign
Extending the bathroom and removing the dividing wall let us dramatically improve both the function and the visual flow of the room. Working from a blank canvas, the new layout delivered a larger open shower area, better circulation from door to vanity to bath, a freestanding bath as the centrepiece, a double vanity configuration for busy mornings, improved natural light, and a much stronger sense of architectural balance, all very important factors with modern bathroom renovations.
The redesign turned a standard enclosed bathroom into an open-plan luxury retreat, proving that the single biggest gain in most renovations comes from getting the layout right, not just the finishes.
Why a structural renovation needs a licensed builder
This was not a cosmetic update. Removing an internal wall and extending the footprint are structural works, which is exactly why the project was carried out under a licensed builder from the very first day.
Structural bathroom renovations demand proper planning, hands-on experience and full compliance with Australian building standards so the work is completed safely and legally. Building under a licensed builder means structural changes are engineered and executed correctly, waterproofing is installed to Australian Standard AS 3740, plumbing and electrical works are properly coordinated, engineering requirements are addressed where needed, the project is fully insured, every trade is correctly licensed and managed, and the finished bathroom meets the building code.
Bathrooms are one of the highest-risk areas in any home. Waterproofing, moisture, ventilation and structural loads all have to be handled correctly, and poor workmanship shows up later as water damage, movement, mould and expensive repairs. The moment a structural wall comes out or a layout changes, disciplined project management stops being a nice-to-have and becomes essential.
This is where Empire Bathrooms is built differently. Enzo Giallonardo is a licensed builder and Michael Carn is a licensed plumber, drainer and waterproofer, and our core trades, including demolition, tiling, carpentry, plumbing and waterproofing, are our own people rather than a rotating cast of subcontractors. Every stage of this renovation was managed through our licensed building team, and every waterproofing membrane we install is backed by our 10-Year Leak-Free Guarantee.
Maximising natural light with hanging mirrors
One of the standout solutions in this project was suspending the vanity mirrors from the ceiling, directly in front of the windows.
A conventional wall-mounted mirror would have blocked the glazing and choked off the light. By hanging the mirrors instead, we kept daylight flowing through the room while still giving the client full functionality at the vanity. The result preserves natural light, maintains privacy, adds real architectural interest, and creates a soft floating appearance that lifts the whole space toward a luxury hotel aesthetic.
Hanging mirrors are increasingly sought after in high-end bathroom design precisely because they deliver a custom, designer feel while helping the room read as more open and spacious.
The crazy-pave stone feature wall
The feature wall became one of the hero elements of the entire project. We selected a Step Stone CrazyPave feature tile to introduce texture, movement and a natural, organic character across the room.
Crazy-pave finishes are having a genuine moment in luxury interiors, and it is easy to see why. The irregular stone shapes add depth and handcrafted character, break up large flat tiled surfaces, and create a statement without overpowering the space. Here, the natural stone softened the overall design and paired beautifully with the warm neutral palette and brushed bronze fixtures, giving the bathroom a resort-inspired feel with a strong sense of individuality.
A warm neutral palette and organic styling
The bathroom was designed around earthy tones, natural textures and soft curves to create a calming, timeless environment. OmniStone Beige Silk 600×600 tiles formed the foundation, delivering warmth and sophistication while remaining classic enough to age gracefully rather than date.
Layered with Coastal Oak cabinetry and brushed bronze fittings, the material palette came together as a balanced, cohesive designer finish, the kind of considered selection our in-house design team refines with every client through our Dural showroom.
A custom double vanity
The custom 1800mm ADP Waverley wall-hung vanity became a natural focal point. Selections included Coastal Oak cabinetry, a Cherry Pie Alabaster stone top, brushed brass handles and double above-counter basins.
The floating, wall-hung design keeps the floor visible from wall to wall, which reinforces the sense of openness and makes cleaning far easier. Double basins were chosen to suit busy family mornings while adding to the luxury feel. Together, the timber grain, stone surface and brushed metallic detailing create the warm, contemporary look that defines current premium bathroom trends.
Tiger Bronze tapware throughout
We specified Meir Tiger Bronze tapware and accessories to bring warmth and depth into the design. Brushed bronze continues to trend strongly in luxury renovations because it feels warmer and softer than chrome, pairs naturally with stone and timber, and adds richness without dominating the room.
Crucially, we carried that Tiger Bronze finish consistently across every touchpoint: wall mixers, basin spouts, shower fittings, heated towel rails, bath fittings and accessories. That discipline with finishes is one of the quiet details that separates a premium bathroom from an ordinary one.
A curved frameless shower screen
The custom frameless shower screen, with curved glass and brushed gold fittings, softens the room while keeping it open. Frameless glazing remains highly sought after because it lets light travel freely, makes the space feel larger, showcases the feature tiling rather than hiding it, and delivers a clean, minimalist look. The curved detailing also echoed the soft, organic shapes used throughout the rest of the design.
Luxury comfort features
Beyond the visual design, we built in genuine everyday comfort: heated towel rails, a ceiling heat module, LED lighting, the freestanding bath, a concealed-cistern toilet suite, the premium wall-hung vanity and custom frameless shower glazing. These are the details that make a bathroom feel as good to use on a cold winter morning as it looks in photos.
Delivered on time and within budget
Even with major structural changes and a complete layout redesign, this renovation was delivered efficiently, on schedule and within the client’s allocated budget, backed by our Fixed-Price Promise and On-Time Promise.
Careful planning, hands-on project management by our licensed team, and detailed product selection allowed us to create a highly customised bathroom without compromising build quality or design integrity. The final result is a spacious, architecturally considered bathroom that brings together function, warmth and premium finishes, and a clear demonstration of what thoughtful layout planning, quality craftsmanship and carefully curated selections can achieve.
If you are considering a structural or luxury bathroom renovation in Dural or across the Hills District, this is the standard we build to on every project.