After a difficult couple of years, working as a schoolteacher at home with her own two small children and in-class and remotely with her students during covid, our client was seeking calm. The more she spent time at home, the more she grew tired of her 1980’s builder-grade primary bathroom. The worn, fiberglass tub surround, low height, vanity with lack of storage was dull, lack-luster and not conducive to relaxing after a tough day at work.
This repeat client reached out to Renovisions Design Build to ensure that this project will be executed properly. Her first wish was to create a larger space by removing the wall between the bath and the adjacent walk-in closet, which proved oversized for her needs. Renovisions put forth a master plan to borrow space from the closet to increase the bath’s footprint. With the new square footage in mind, the design team tackled the next challenge- to create a layout that would accommodate a new walk-in tiled shower with half-wall configuration and new re-locations for a soaking tub, comfort height toilet, larger vanity with two sinks, plus a linen storage cabinet.Re-working the entrance by framing for a new pocket door was a innovative design idea that allowed for better flow in and out of the bathroom space.
To allow for the soaking tub to fit below the space for the new window, it was necessary to order one with tempered glass for safety as well as obscure glass for privacy.
Building a walk-in shower with half wall directly next to the bathtub provided a created use of the space with valve with tub spout on one side and shower valves on the other side. The frameless glass enclosure with pivot door helps with unencumbered space next to the vanity. The glass allows more natural light from the nearby window to brighten the shower space, giving the illusion of a larger shower space while the beautiful chrome shower fixtures shine through.
Top of mind for our client was to accommodate additional storage. The 36” w x 80” ht. linen tower with interior shelving in matching deep blue custom color allowed for ample storage for hair, make-up and bathing supplies and keeping the bathroom space neat and tidy. Matching framed recessed medicine cabinets with smart, interior adjustable magnifying mirrors for both his and hers needs.
The client loves the classic Carrara-look marble bath floor and shower tiles because it will stand the test of time. The repetition of natural stone pattern on shower floor and continuing as a strip on the shower wet wall is a stunning decorative choice. The accessories and fixtures complement each other from the square styled shower fixtures, square shower niche, cabinetry hardware with square bases, rectangular sinks, and lights fixtures.
Overall, we created a new bathroom space with a beautiful balance of light and a neutral palette, while honoring our client’s love for this rich blue hue, to enhance the look and create a sense of a spa-like feel.
Challenges:
Extended lead time procuring double hung window with tempered plus obscure glass for privacy while bathing.
Extensive plumbing piping required to pitch toilet properly. With the half wall configuration between walk-in shower and adjacent soaking tub, plumbing rough-in valves were spaced apart.
She wished not only for a larger space, but for easy to clean surfaces, countertops and tile that were non-porus and sanitary. A sustainable design was high on the list that included energy efficient LED lighting, Low-E glass window, water-sense fixtures and VOC free paint.
