This is an example of a small scandinavian master bathroom in Tampa with flat-panel cabinets, brown cabinets, an alcove tub, an alcove shower, white tile, subway tile, white walls, ceramic floors, an integrated sink, engineered quartz benchtops, black floor, a shower curtain, white benchtops, a single vanity and a freestanding vanity.

An Arts & Crafts Bungalow is one of my favorite styles of homes. We have quite a few of them in our Stockton Mid-Town area. And when C&L called us to help them remodel their 1923 American Bungalow, I was beyond thrilled. As per usual, when we get a new inquiry, we quickly Google the project location while we are talking to you on the phone. My excitement escalated when I saw the Google Earth Image of the sweet Sage Green bungalow in Mid-Town Stockton. "Yes, we would be interested in working with you," I said trying to keep my cool. But what made it even better was meeting C&L and touring their home, because they are the nicest young couple, eager to make their home period perfect. Unfortunately, it had been slightly molested by some bad house-flippers, and we needed to bring the bathroom back to it "roots." We knew we had to banish the hideous brown tile and cheap vanity quickly. But C&L complained about the condensation problems and the constant fight with mold. This immediately told me that improper remodeling had occurred and we needed to remedy that right away. The Before: Frustrations with a Botched Remodel The bathroom needed to be brought back to period appropriate design with all the functionality of a modern bathroom. We thought of things like marble countertop, white mosaic floor tiles, white subway tile, board and batten molding, and of course a fabulous wallpaper. This small (and only) bathroom on a tight budget required a little bit of design sleuthing to figure out how we could get the proper look and feel. Our goal was to determine where to splurge and where to economize and how to complete the remodel as quickly as possible because C&L would have to move out while construction was going on. The Process: Hard Work to Remedy Design and Function During our initial design study, (which included 2 hours in the owners’ home), we noticed framed images of William Morris Arts and Crafts textile patterns and knew this would be our design inspiration. We presented C&L with three options and they quickly selected the Pimpernel Design Concept. We had originally selected the Black and Olive colors with a black vanity, mirror, and black and white floor tile. C&L liked it but weren’t quite sure about the black, We went back to the drawing board and decided the William & Co Pimpernel Wallpaper in Bayleaf and Manilla color with a softer gray painted vanity and mirror and white floor tile was more to their liking. After the Design Concept was approved, we went to work securing the building permit, procuring all the elements, and scheduling our trusted tradesmen to perform the work. We did uncover some shoddy work by the flippers such as live electrical wires hidden behind the wall, plumbing venting cut-off and buried in the walls (hence the constant dampness), the tub barely balancing on two fence boards across the floor joist, and no insulation on the exterior wall. All of the previous blunders were fixed and the bathroom put back to its previous glory. We could feel the house thanking us for making it pretty again. The After Reveal: Cohesive Design Decisions We selected a simple white subway tile for the tub/shower. This is always classic and in keeping with the style of the house. We selected a pre-fab vanity and mirror, but they look rich with the quartz countertop. There is much more storage in this small vanity than you would think. The Transformation: A Period Perfect Refresh We began the remodel just as the pandemic reared and stay-in-place orders went into effect. As C&L were already moved out and living with relatives, we got the go-ahead from city officials to get the work done (after all, how can you shelter in place without a bathroom?). All our tradesmen were scheduled to work so that only one crew was on the job site at a time. We stayed on the original schedule with only a one week delay. The end result is the sweetest little bathroom I've ever seen (and I can't wait to start work on C&L's kitchen next). Thank you for joining me in this project transformation. I hope this inspired you to think about being creative with your design projects, determining what works best in keeping with the architecture of your space, and carefully assessing how you can have the best life in your home.

This is the remodel of a hall bathroom with mid-century modern details done in a modern flair. This hall bathroom maintains the feel of this 1920's home with the subway tile, living brass finish faucets, classic white fixtures and period lighting.

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary kids bathroom in Boston with flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, an alcove tub, a shower/bathtub combo, a one-piece toilet, white tile, ceramic tile, white walls, ceramic floors, a vessel sink, engineered quartz benchtops, white floor, a shower curtain, white benchtops, a single vanity and a floating vanity.

Modern Mid-Century style primary bathroom remodeling in Alexandria, VA with walnut flat door vanity, light gray painted wall, gold fixtures, black accessories, subway wall tiles and star patterned porcelain floor tiles.

This is an example of a mid-sized midcentury kids bathroom in Detroit with flat-panel cabinets, brown cabinets, an alcove tub, a shower/bathtub combo, a one-piece toilet, green tile, ceramic tile, white walls, ceramic floors, an undermount sink, quartzite benchtops, grey floor, a shower curtain, white benchtops, a double vanity and a floating vanity.

Builder: Michels Homes Architecture: Alexander Design Group Photography: Scott Amundson Photography
Large country master bathroom in Minneapolis with recessed-panel cabinets, green cabinets, a shower/bathtub combo, a one-piece toilet, ceramic tile, beige walls, ceramic floors, an undermount sink, engineered quartz benchtops, multi-coloured floor, a shower curtain, grey benchtops, a double vanity and a built-in vanity.

Photo of a large country bathroom in San Diego with shaker cabinets, green cabinets, a curbless shower, a one-piece toilet, green tile, marble, white walls, ceramic floors, an undermount sink, quartzite benchtops, beige floor, a shower curtain, white benchtops, a niche, a double vanity and a built-in vanity.

Photo of a small beach style master bathroom in Philadelphia with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, an alcove tub, a shower/bathtub combo, a two-piece toilet, gray tile, stone tile, ceramic floors, an undermount sink, engineered quartz benchtops, a shower curtain, white benchtops, a niche, a single vanity, a built-in vanity and planked wall panelling.

This is an example of a small eclectic master bathroom in Yekaterinburg with beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, a claw-foot tub, a shower/bathtub combo, white tile, ceramic tile, green walls, ceramic floors, a drop-in sink, white floor, a shower curtain, white benchtops, a single vanity, a freestanding vanity, exposed beam and wallpaper.

Inspiration for a small traditional kids bathroom in Moscow with beige cabinets, an alcove tub, a wall-mount toilet, beige tile, ceramic tile, beige walls, ceramic floors, an undermount sink, solid surface benchtops, grey floor, a shower curtain, beige benchtops, an enclosed toilet, a single vanity and a freestanding vanity.

Transforming this small bathroom into a wheelchair accessible retreat was no easy task. Incorporating unattractive grab bars and making them look seamless was the goal. A floating vanity / countertop allows for roll up accessibility and the live edge of the granite countertops make if feel luxurious. Double sinks for his and hers sides plus medicine cabinet storage helped for this minimal feel of neutrals and breathability. The barn door opens for wheelchair movement but can be closed for the perfect amount of privacy.

We took this north Seattle rambler and remodeled every square inch of it. New windows, roof, siding, electrical, plumbing, the list goes on! We worked hand in hand with the homeowner to give them a truly unique and beautiful home.

This is an example of a mid-sized transitional kids bathroom in Seattle with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, an alcove tub, a shower/bathtub combo, a one-piece toilet, white tile, porcelain tile, beige walls, ceramic floors, an undermount sink, engineered quartz benchtops, grey floor, a shower curtain and white benchtops.

Mid-sized transitional bathroom in Indianapolis with blue cabinets, an alcove tub, a shower/bathtub combo, a two-piece toilet, subway tile, white walls, ceramic floors, a trough sink, engineered quartz benchtops, multi-coloured floor, a shower curtain and white benchtops.

Inspiration for a large transitional master bathroom in DC Metro with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, a freestanding tub, a corner shower, a two-piece toilet, multi-coloured tile, ceramic tile, purple walls, ceramic floors, a drop-in sink, engineered quartz benchtops, grey floor, a shower curtain and white benchtops.

Photo by Nate Martin
Mid-sized transitional 3/4 bathroom in Other with recessed-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, an alcove shower, ceramic floors, a vessel sink, soapstone benchtops, multi-coloured floor, a shower curtain and multi-coloured benchtops.

We didn’t want the floor to be the cool thing in the room that steals the show, so we picked an interesting color and painted the ceiling as well. This bathroom invites you to look up and down equally.

Photo of a mid-sized transitional 3/4 bathroom in Tampa with white cabinets, a shower/bathtub combo, white tile, white walls, an undermount sink, a shower curtain, an undermount tub, a one-piece toilet, ceramic tile, ceramic floors, marble benchtops, black floor and white benchtops.