Set designs for theatres are normally temporary affairs. Not so for this spectacular artwork, designed and painted in Resene paints by Tony Geddes for a production of Cabaret at the old Court Theatre in Christchurch. 

Created to look like a 19th-century mural, it now graces the bathroom of his and wife Toni’s old 1875 cottage in Lyttleton, and set the theatrical tone for the rest of the room. 

The mural is laid straight onto the original tongue-and-groove panelling, which has been protected with Resene AquaClear. 

High ceilings add to the drama, while the timber floors are simply covered with oriental rugs. A clawfoot bath with a rusty exterior is joined by an antique brass tap, a dressmaker's dummy, old outdoor chair and a chest of drawers.

It’s still a work in progress, says Toni, with the next job to paint the outside of the bath in Resene Black. “I think it’s time the rust should go.”

As part of a wider renovation plan, designer Debra DeLorenzo refreshed this bathroom with a lick of Resene Bright Red paint, inspired by the existing bright red clawfoot bath. Other walls in the bathroom are Resene Double Alabaster. 

The bathroom is used by two young girls, so adding a row of ‘flying’ buzzy-bees and a Mary Lou doll on the wall was an apt way to accessorise. 

A Red Cross cabinet is another quirky addition. 

Keeping with a traditional style, designer Susan Templer added a contemporary twist with a clean, fresh colour palette of Resene Half Robin Egg Blue and Resene Quarter Black White panelling to this bathroom. The custom designed vanity, in the same soft green of the walls, is a perfect complement to the bright white panelling and fixtures. 

The modern, trough sink is wide enough for two, and the very traditional taps marry the two styles with maximum practicality. To the side of the vanity, recessed cabinets disappear visually but contain loads of storage space.

The shower area was challenging in what is an odd-shaped room but creative use of space makes this traditional style shower enclosure quite special.