Design Lessons From a Modern New Bathroom
For this family of four in Ottawa, Ontario, the choice was change their 1960s home or move to a larger house in the suburbs. Their love of city life won out, so they put in some sweat equity, got help from handy friends and enlisted the pros at OakWood Renovation Experts to convert a bedroom into a second full bathroom and walk-in closet. “These clients like the old details mixed with the new,” says OakWood’s Tim Moore. Here’s how the home was adapted to give Mom and Dad their own relaxing bathroom that suited their minimalist tastes.
It took a village to help the family to turn a spare bedroom into their dream master bath. When the Oakwood team started its part of the work, they had a head start. “They are handy people, and to help them save money, friends and family in the trades installed all of the plumbing and electrical rough-ins,” Moore says. “We came in when the drywall was installed but not finished.”
If you’re thinking about a master bathroom renovation, there are lessons to be learned from this example, some geared toward minimalist tastes, some applicable to all styles.
Let the most beautiful materials stand out. Simple, straight lines and a pale palette on the walls and floors allow the beauty of the new Silestone countertop and custom tiger wood cabinetry to shine. Rather than breaking things up with a backsplash, the builders installed a custom-cut mirror that maintains the clean lines.
Take inspiration from the architecture. While the windows are new and more energy efficient than the old windows, their shape mimics the original. The new elements in the room take their cues from the classically modern, long horizontal lines of the windows, creating connections between old and new. Also, the wood trimwork around the windows is a great match for the new tiger wood vanity and tub surround.
Punctuate a light-colored room with a few dark accents. While the palette of the room is soft, light and relaxing, mosaic accent tiles add dashes of dark color for contrast. They also provide a visual connection between the tub area, the shower surround and the countertop. The accent tiles are a unique detail that reflect the owners’ personal style.
Float the vanity to keep things looking spacious. Those few additional inches underneath make the vanity seem lighter and extend the view of the floor. Just be sure to sweep underneath once a week.
Use clear glass to continue the unbroken, spacious look. The entire room enjoys a long view of the beautiful mosaic accent tiles in the shower surround. This reinforces the strong connection between the shower stall and the bathtub across the room. Remember, if you use clear glass, you’ll need to think carefully about how the shower surround relates to the rest of the room.
To save money, plan your layout accordingly. The placement of the shower here accommodates a standard-size, short-width swivel glass shower door, which saved big bucks over a custom-made one.
In a minimalist scheme, small details matter. While the floor tiles are laid out as a simple grid of squares, the vertical brick tile pattern on the shower surround creates a subtle contrast.
The dark center and simple modern style of the showerhead suits the room’s uncomplicated geometry. “Delta products are very affordable, and this particular collection has a very contemporary look,” Moore says.
Add personality with artwork. This piece, depicting classic midcentury modern homes, is a great match for the shape of the window and the colors in the tiger wood.
Source: Houzz.com
Tags: Home improvements, Home maintenance, Tips
