Project Study: Modern Revival

The Bathrooms

Our 2024 renovation, affectionately named "Modern Revival", started when a young local professional reached out looking to update his childhood home. His career led him on the west coast for many years, but he was ready to settle down back home. We wanted to honor the memories the space held, while creating a home where he could build the next chapter of his life. Today I want to do a deep dive into the primary bathroom.

After years on the rental market, the home and definitely this bathroom needed some TLC.

Some priorities for our client included a double vanity with drawers, removing the outdated soaking tub, expanding the footprint of the shower and including double shower heads. However, for cost reasons, we didn't want to move the existing window and if possible, the toilet location.

In this 'galley' style footprint, it we wanted to make sure we didn't make the space feel cramped. We also wanted to create a refreshed yet classic space that felt 'trend proof.' It's important to us that our clients don't end up wanting to re-do their (costly) renovations in a few years' time.

During Phase I, we create schematic floor plans and mood boards to show the visual direction of the space. In Phase II Design Development, we build out our designs with finalized floor plans, elevation drawings for our builders, and all material and product selections. One of my favorite steps in the process is when we present the plans with materials samples to our clients. Not only can they see it all on paper, but they are able to touch the various materials, see colors in real life, feel the weight of the hardware. Home is a sensory experience!

We do everything we can to ensure our clients and builders know exactly how this space will come to life!

So let's breakdown the finished spaces!

The large glass doors on the shower is the single biggest factor that keeps this bathroom feeling spacious and airy. This kept the natural light and we get a great view of that gorgeous large format tile. Speaking of those tiles, those extra large tiles almost feel like a solid surface. Elegant, simple, clean.

This custom free standing vanity provided ample storage while also keeping sight lines open. Choosing feet over a toe kick at the base of the vanity is one of the small ways we tell your brain there is plenty of space in this room. Another feature are these long and skinny floor tiles in our favorite herringbone pattern. We get a good pattern contrast to our shower walls, while maintaining longer lines that give the illusion of more space. Finally, removing the tub left the perfect opportunity for custom storage next to the shower.

Our client also requested medicine cabinets for additional storage. With features like this precision is incredible important. The framing for the medicine cabinet needs to line up perfectly with the plumbing for the faucet, which needs to alight perfectly with the cut outs for the vanity drawers, which all affect the spacing on the wall sconces. And all of that needs to be documented - with cohesive material selections- before work even begins. THIS may be the #1 reason you need to hire a designer when tackling a renovation. These things don't happen by chance!

As for the powder bathroom. we went big and bold in our designs. I'm a big believer in the smaller the space, the stronger the punch. And I love a punchy powder room. How it started: