My Daughter’s Master Bath Redo

Our daughter’s master bath redo is finally complete.

For the last three years, our youngest daughter has been updating a mid-90’s house to fit her eclectic decorating personality.  Her dining room redo was finished quickly after she moved in but a master bath redo topped her list from Day 1.  Some things are worth the wait, and there was plenty of waiting.  But that’s what happens when a project is a total gut, and life and work get in the way of progress. Her bath project was a mix of professionals and DIY (thank you, Mr. Shops!) with a happy ending. “I find myself going in the room just to stare,” she told me. So I know she was pleased.

The existing bath was far from appealing. There was a  basic builder grade vanity, cultured marble counter with integrated sink, pony wall and funky tiled corner shower (complete with soap scum etched glass).  The self-framed mirror wasn’t too bad, and might have been reused if not for the vanity which was so low, she practically had to get on bended knees to brush her teeth.  Opposite the original shower, an enormous non-jetted garden tub took up too much real estate without offering anything in return.  Dare I even point out the peeling rose-colored script wallpaper?

The plan included replacing the original 72-inch vanity with a 60-inch and removing the half wall to 18-inches to the lay-out. That was intended to create a more open space — visually and literally.  The new dark-stained vanity has cane inset doors that, along with the drawers, are soft closing.  The Carrara marble counter features a pair of undermount ceramic sinks.  While the cabinet with attached counter and sinks arrived in one piece, the backsplash did not, times 3. Several deliveries later, the vanity’s finishing detail was in place.

My daughter had been wavering on a design direction until she saw the Chocolate Bath.  The glass shower enclosure, with exposed riser shower set, was exactly the nudge she needed.  Ordering online gave her more options, including the ceramic sunflower shower head that delivers both in looks and function.  An awkward corner shower was replaced with a slightly larger square version that now reaches to the top of the window trim.  The shower’s  3″ x 6″ subway tile was ordered from a local tile showroom and internet price matching was ours for the asking.  The shampoo niche is lined in tile, edged in marble pencil trim and the shelves were cut from the broken backsplash remnants. Where the tile meets a wall (top and sides) edging includes the pencil trim.

A decorative row of the marble pencil trim was added just above the base cove.  By purchasing the trim at a big box store,  there was a savings of  $10 per piece over the same material offered at the tile store.  This small detail adds a little something special.  The shower curb [first photo] is covered with off the shelf marble tiles cut to size.  The white floor tile was replaced with octagon and dot, and Delorean Gray grout was chosen to coordinate with Ben Moore Stonington Gray wall color.  The Ultra White beadboard and crown paint is the trim color used throughout her home.

The original garden tub was generously oversized, so square footage was reclaimed in both width and length.  This allowed the shower door to open against the wall between shower and tub with room to spare.  The new deep-soak whirlpool tub is serviced by a vintage style wall mount gooseneck faucet.  It has a handheld shower that makes bathing her toddler easier.  With the ceiling height at 9 feet, Mr Shops installed the 1″ thick pine tongue and groove beadboard 60″ high.  It was carried across the front of the tub since the pump can be serviced via an access panel in the adjacent closet.  The Clarissa crystal chandelier and its antique silver filigree crown add a bit of sparkle.  After seeing vintage coat racks being used for towels in Red White and Blue Bath, one was purchased  for each bath.  With wall space at a premium, it’s a unique and attractive alternative.  Off-white burlap was shirred for a simple window treatment and frosted window film was applied to the glass for privacy.

Mr Shops built a bookcase at one end of the tub, and lined the back with beadboard. This charming feature allows for personalization with a display of favorite accessories and, with no linen closet, space for extra towels. Amy Butler towels and the abstract wrapped canvas above the tub bring in colors from the master bedroom. Keeping the remodel neutral will allow our daughter to easily change the color scheme as her taste evolves.

This “before” photograph shows Truett (the dog) peeking in from the master bedroom.  The racetrack style lighting was harsh and overheated the room.

What a difference!  Lighting was replaced with a pair of elegant fixtures.  Their metal frames have a rich patina and are complemented with serene opal etched glass.  There are plans to replace the vanity hardware with vintage style crystal knobs eventually.

Custom beveled mirrors using frosted moulding also have the mixed gold and silver patina finish.  Brushed nickel sink faucets have cross handles with ceramic buttons keeping the vintage feel.

A vintage tray on the vanity and turquoise ceramic garden stool in the shower are functional pieces added once she began using her new bathroom.  The master bath remodel is an aesthetic improvement our daughter will enjoy daily and there is no doubt it will dazzle potential buyers when the time arrives. For now, she can keep pinching herself.

Sources:
Vanity – Vintage Tub & Bath, Water Creations London Collection 60″ Double Vanity
Glass Shower Enclosure – Alabama Glass Specialist
Exposed Shower Set – Sunrise Specialty #522, Brushed Nickel, 8″ Center, 32″ Riser
Sink Faucets – Sunrise Specialty #12, #18 Cross Handles, Brushed Nickel
Tub – American Standard 5′ Evolution Deep Soak EverClean Comfort Jet Whirlpool
Wall Mount Tub Faucet – Strom Plumbing by Sign of the Crab #P1037M, Matte Nickel
Subway Tile – Dal Tile Rittenhouse, 3″ x 6″ White Semi-Gloss
Cove Base Tile – Dal Tile Rittenhouse, 3″ x 6″  White Matte
Marble Pencil Trim – Lowe’s, Venatino Polished Pencil Trim
Marble Tiles – Home Depot, Greecian White Polished Marble
Hexagon and Dot Floor – Dal Tile Rittenhouse, White Matte
Grout – Home Depot, Delorean Gray
Paint – Benjamin Moore Stonington Gray (walls) and Valspar Semi-Gloss Ultra White
Tongue & Groove Knotty Pine Pattern Beadboard – Home Depot #604437, 1″ x 6″ x 8′
Chandelier – Pottery Barn, Clarissa
Vanity Lights – Quoizel, Devereaux
Mirrors – David’s Arts and Frames, Roma Moulding #1654 Gianni 2″ Frosted Silver
Towels – Amy Butler, Bed Bath & Beyond
Garden Stool – HOMEdeco-direct, Turquoise Square Frame Lattice
Artwork over Tub – Imagekind, Wild Herringbone by Nancy Ramirez

For more of this young family home see Informal Picture Wall, Eclectic Gender-Neutral Nursery, Hidden Laundry Spaces , Guest Room Turned Playroom and  Master Bedroom Redo.

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