24th September 2025

Location: Melbourne

One of the most common questions I get — and it comes up early, often before we’ve even talked layout — is:

“Will it date?”

It’s a fair question. Bathrooms aren’t simple updates. There’s a lot involved — plumbing, joinery, lighting, tiles, trades — so when people are investing time and money, they want to know it’s not going to feel tired in five or ten years.

After ten years of Picchio, I’ve designed bathrooms in all kinds of homes — from 1890s terraces and 1920s brick beauties to coastal new builds. And while each of those spaces was shaped by different people, timelines, and needs, they all still feel right.

Not because we played it safe.

But because we didn’t try to follow anything.

Each bathroom was designed to suit the home it’s in, the people using it, and the practical realities of their lives. And whether our clients were planning to stay for ten years or forever, the approach was the same: clarity, care, and long-term thinking.

Here’s a look back at ten years of bathrooms — what still works, what’s gently dated, and what made these spaces hold up over time.

What actually makes a bathroom timeless?

It’s not about avoiding colour.
It’s not about being neutral.
And it’s definitely not about copying what’s safe.

To me, a timeless bathroom works because:

It feels like it belongs in the home — not in a display suite
The layout flows and makes sense to use, not just to look at
Materials have integrity — they wear in, not out
It’s designed with the people (and the architecture) in mind

We do consider resale, especially when clients tell us they’re likely to sell in 5–10 years. In those cases, we’re more conscious of polarising choices and often keep things a little more adaptable. But we still aim to create spaces with personality and warmth — not generic boxes.

Ten Years of Picchio Bathrooms — What We’ve Learned

2015 – 1920s Brick Renovation

This was a family bathroom with a patterned terrazzo-style floor that referenced the home’s original porch. The solid timber vanity still feels timeless today. The layout was simple and generous.
What dates it: The wide-angle real estate lens and it could probably use a little more storage.
What holds up: The materiality and overall tone.

2016 – 1930s Art Deco Clinker Brick

This one had a marble trough basin (great for kids all brushing their teeth at once), and a chevron-style patterned floor tile inspired by Art Deco geometry.
What I’d tweak now: A bit more storage and I’d probably change the pendant lights for wall sconces. But the design still works for a family, and the materials feel considered.

2017 – Federation Family Home

This bathroom let the leadlight window take the lead. We kept the palette calm, with a geometric wall tile and soft, traditional lines in the fixtures.
Still feels right: This bathroom is nestled amongst the Federation rooms of the home. It is respectful to the era, not trying to recreate the past or erase it.

2018 – Victorian Terrace Renovation

A compact ensuite with gloss navy Japanese mosaics, terrazzo flooring, and simple matte white tiles. It was minimal, but elegant.
Why it works: Strong materials, tight layout, and a palette that feels rich, not trendy.

2019 – 1920s Brick Home

Another small ensuite, with textured navy wall tiles, soft grey terrazzo floors, and bronze tapware that nodded to the home’s original hardware. The textured joinery tied in with cabinetry used throughout the house.
Still feels relevant: Beautiful natural stone will never date and when opting for a timeless colour, navy is a great option.

2020 – Art Deco Renovation

art deco bathroom with terrazzo — Photo by Suzi Appel

We used a chunkier terrazzo to reference the original porch, paired with a soft greige crackle subway tile. The room had texture without being busy.
Would I change anything now? Probably not — it’s still calm and considered.

2021 – Art Deco Home with Restored Pedestal Basin

The original pedestal basin was still in great condition, so we kept it. Paired with marble tiles and black-and-white marble flooring, the space felt authentic but not theme-y.
Proof you don’t have to start from scratch to make something feel fresh.

2022 – 1920s Brick Home

This ensuite used Elba marble and navy cabinetry, with a central bath separating twin vanities. We went heavier on material here, but the mood is still calm.
Why it lasts: The layout is generous and the textured marble is like an interesting artwork.

2023 – Coastal New Build

This bathroom has a soft, warm feel that suits the rest of the house. The finishes are natural, the layout is simple, and nothing feels overdone.
Why it still works: It’s calm, practical, and feels at one with the surrounding landscape.

2024 – Nature-Led Bayside New Build

Here, we leaned into soft travertine tones, oak joinery, and curved detailing. Everything was designed to connect back to the natural surrounds — no big gestures, just thoughtful layers.
In our view there is nothing trendy about the use of natural materials. Nature doesn’t date so we think this beautiful bathroom will stand the test of time.

2025 – A little playful, a little posh - Edwardian Home

This Edwardian home gave us the perfect excuse to lean into colour again. The spotted marble floor adds a bit of fun, and the blue vanity with soft brass details keeps it classic — just with a wink.

This bathroom will stand the test of time - it’s playful but grounded in classic colours, materials and the proportions work.

Can kids’ bathrooms be timeless too?

Absolutely.

We’ve created bathrooms with soft pink tiles, teal wallpaper, stormy blue zellige, even checkerboard floors — especially for children and teens — and they still feel right. Not because the colour’s neutral, but because the intention is clear.

These spaces reflect the personalities of the kids who use them. And they’re still designed properly — good layout, good lighting, good finishes.

They’re playful, not themed. Personal, not novelty. And they’ll still make sense as the kids grow.

So… will it date?

If the layout works, the materials are thoughtful, and the design is connected to the home?
Then no — it won’t.

Timeless design isn’t about playing it safe. It’s about making clear decisions that suit the architecture, the people, and the future — whatever that looks like.

And yes, we take resale into account when we need to. But whether you’re staying ten years or twenty, a bathroom that’s properly designed won’t age poorly. It’ll evolve gently. And you’ll enjoy living in it every single day.

Thinking about renovating?

If you’re planning a bathroom — or a whole home — and want a space that still feels right in ten years, we’d love to help.

Still Fresh: What 10 Years of Picchio Bathrooms Say About Timeless Design