One of the biggest honors I have as a designer is people trusting me with the most intimate and expensive investment that they own – their home. So, when someone asks you to design not one but two of their home’s most important spaces at the same time, it’s a large compliment and responsibility! I loved the challenge of providing a fun and enjoyable design and remodel experience for the client on this dual project.
While any bathroom remodel is in an undertaking, the hall bath was going to be by far the larger project and investment. Knowing that Megan and Mark wanted to do these bathrooms simultaneously, we wanted to make sure we were budget-conscious without sacrificing the design in either room. Because we were designing the rooms side-by-side, we gained cost savings through the use of the same large stone remnant for each countertop. I also proposed sourcing from the same manufacturers where possible to create cohesive lead times on product and streamline deliveries. You’ll see Kohler’s Purist Collection featured throughout both baths, along with Schaub Pub House Collection pulls for decorative hardware.
By far my biggest challenge on this job was selling the concept of a wet room to the installer. Wet rooms – where a bathtub is contained within the shower space – have been popular in Europe and Asia for some time now, but are less common in the states and just now gaining traction. Creating a wet room design allowed us to incorporate a bathtub in a space that otherwise would have been too small to accommodate it.
There were some small surprises after demo with an HVAC duct running right up the center of where we were going to do a niche feature in the wall above the tub. We ended up splitting it into two niches. We designed and built the shelves onsite (the carpenter was amazing!) with the parts intended for the first niche.
I love the custom tall shower niche with Ann Sacks Savoy ribbed 2x8 tile serving as a focal point. There are three textures at play, and even though they’re all neutrals, the combination is lovely and adds dimension. There are four different types of tiles in the hall bath, but it doesn’t feel busy or disruptive. Through this layering of visual textures, the whole room feels soft and bright without at all feeling stark or sterile.
The vanity features Dura Supreme cabinetry in the Hudson door style, using knotty alder with a Coriander finish. Lighting the vanity we have Melange 10” elongated sconces by Kelly Wearstler.
Some of my favorite features in the bathrooms are the little details. In the master, it’s the beautiful accent tile ‘rug’ we created with Liason Mulholland Small in Silver Blend Honed by Kelly Wearstler from Ann Sacks. The scalloped ends on the backsplashes lend an air of sophistication. The warm wainscoting (Dura Supreme wall paneling in quartersawn oak with sesame finish) against the navy blue and white marble offers some drama. All the material elements play together to make the room feel masculine without being theme-y. I love the feeling we were able to accomplish in here!
Besides being so proud of how both room designs turned out, by far the best part of this project was working closely with Megan to create these spaces. Now Megan and Mark both have their own getaways from the crazy busyness that comes from everyday life!