How Millie Schilling transformed her ‘small, narrow’ ensuite into a ‘show-stopping’ space. Buying a house over FaceTime could seem risky. But Millie Schilling and her family did just that in the depths of Covid lockdown three years ago, buying a house in Iluka, NSW, after only viewing it virtually. 

From the beginning, Millie and her husband’s intention was to fully renovate the house after purchasing it – with dreams of making it a special family home for years to come. “This is our home that our children will grow in, a home that will provide us with so many core memories,” Millie says of why they were inspired to renovate. 

So, as soon as the deal was signed, sealed and delivered, their imagination was off and running from the get go. “Once the home was ours, that’s when our minds started racing with ideas,” Millie says. “My husband let me take charge with designs and he basically does everything else and I assist where I can, while also looking after small children.”

One of the first spaces on the list to be transformed, the main bedroom, ensuite and walk-in-robe – with the ensuite area measuring approximately 3m x 1.6m. “Our ensuite was a ‘small, narrow’ space. We chose not to extend or move the ensuite for a number of reasons, firstly we didn’t want to move a big window or plumbing,” Millie says. “So on the other side of the shower was a linen cupboard, which we chose to move elsewhere and use that cavity to extend the shower space.”

Millie says she was determined to turn heads when it came to the ensuite, so some big design choices were necessary to pull it off. “With this space being on the smaller side for a main bedroom ensuite, I wanted to make this space a show stopper!” she admits.

“Carrying through with the arches from other areas of the home, I knew that arches would also feature in here, I also knew I wanted some other organic curves, and that’s where the floating curve vanity was brought to light, the wavy half wall and the curved shower ceiling.”

She adds, “My husband wanted a sky light, and he also lead the way with the lighting design (he is an electrician)”. For tapware, Millie says she had previously used Yabby’s Antique Brass Tapware in their guest bathroom/laundry space and were so pleased with it – calling the colour “perfection” – they almost chose it again for the ensuite.

In the end, Millie opted for Yabby’s Warm Brushed Nickel range. The Ceiling Shower Head and Arm, Round Progressive Mixer, Basin Spout, Toilet Roll Holder, Tile Insert Floor Waste and Robe Hook were all incorporated into the ensuite’s design.

“Ultimately I chose the warm brushed nickel as it seamlessly blended in,” she explains of the decision. “I think having that seamless blend was one of my main design elements I wanted to achieve.” Yabby was the right choice to ensure Millie was able to achieve her much desired seamless blend for the space.

“We chose Yabby because we have used the products previously, and the colours are the perfect shades,” Millie says. “I also needed matching hardware and accessories for that seamless look and Yabby do a fantastic job offering this.”

Meanwhile, there was one element the couple really went all out on and spent up big to ensure it made a statement – microcement. “I have always wanted to use microcement in the home… finally, hubby agreed to let me do it in our ensuite,” Millie says. Clearly happy with the results, Millie adds, “I’m not going to lie, it’s an expensive product to buy and to install! But man, it is exquisite!”

Taking into account delays and only working on the renovation on weekends, the ensuite transformation took around 4.5 months from start to finish. Not bad for a “show-stopping” result!