Project Description
Builder’s Choice and Custom Home Awards Finalist
Months after a leak created unimaginable amounts of damage to the homeowner’s master bathroom it was still in disrepair. The client was struggling to find a way to keep the mandatory remodel within the insurance reimbursements of $23,000 and create a space that was a reflection of her personal style. We were called upon to help achieve just that. Many factors were taken into consideration when making design decisions. The first was seamlessly integrating the homeowner’s traditional taste with the contemporary architecture of the home. This was increasingly important when considering the homeowner’s long term goals, and that resale was a likely possibility within the next 7-10 years.
We encountered our largest challenges with this project during the design process. To make the room feel larger, we created an oversized 101” x 57” mirror to be placed above the vanity. This new mirror would replace the smaller original mirror. Installation of the mirror was a feat of engineering which required coordination of a team of skilled craftsmen. We started by ordering the frame to our custom specs, and then worked with a mirror fabricator to create and place the mirror itself, carpenters to provide plywood backing, and an electrician to assist in attaching sconces to the front of the frame. This leads to an additional challenge. To keep the light source in the same original location, we designed the new mirror to have sconces attached to its custom frame. But because of the profile of the frame itself, the mirror is 2.25” proud of the wall, posing a challenge in anchoring the light fixtures to the wall. Our solution to bridge the gap, was to fur out the wall behind the mirror, where it would not be visible, but would be sturdy enough to handle the weight of the light fixtures.
To mesh our client’s traditional style with the contemporary look of her home, we made careful material selections, including dark wood porcelain tile accented with rustic mosaics. To keep costs down we refinished the existing white enameled cabinetry and trim. To accommodate the client’s busy lifestyle, we eliminated a large underused tub. With some smart planning we converted the tub’s old drain and water supply to fit the plumbing of a new luxurious shower, which also kept costs low. With the cost savings, we were able to specify a wall-mounted shower head, a rain head and a hand-held to offer ease in cleaning and to accommodate universal design principles.
To step beyond the insurance restoration, and to make the space more functional for the client, we transformed the old shower enclosure into a quaint accessory closet for displaying her accessories collections. We continued the remodel into the master closet with a fresh coat of paint and by replacing old carpet flooring with the porcelain tile flooring used in the bathroom.