Transformations

What was originally a "contractor-grade" bathroom in this client's home is now taking on the excitement and vibrancy that this artist-owner deserves! A space that seemed cramped with an over sized shower stall and a single sink now feels open and bright.

There are always exciting milestones in any renovation process, and to me, cabinet installation day is one of the best. For this renovation, we had custom cabinets made by Richard Hunt of Fine Design Cabinetry. To our specifications, he built a sink/makeup-vanity combination cabinet, with storage tower in between, a tall curio-cabinet and a beautiful storage cabinet for the WC nook.

Richard makes a few last-minute adjustments while installing.

"Cookie" seems to love Mom's new digs!

A milk-white paint finish was chosen with a custom-colored glaze to complement the travertine floors.

As beautiful as these cabinets are, it was important that they be practical as well. Richard worked closely with us and the client to make sure there would be adequate storage. The extra-deep drawers and the "appliance garage" (for hair dryer, curling iron, etc.) really fit the needs. This is a case where very careful planning on the front end of the project will help assure the hoped-for outcome. (By the way, the blue painters tape "drawer pulls" are just there until proper knobs are installed...just in case you were wondering!)

Since these photos were taken, the tub has finally arrived, which will help the project move towards completion. As we mentioned in previous postings, material delivery schedules can create major problems, and sometimes they are unavoidable. It's important to create a good relationship with your suppliers, but it's also good to know when it's time to pull the plug and move on! And the best part is, those "bad moments" during the process will be nothing but memories when the project is complete!

Let the Art Begin!

Let's check in on our bathroom project. Progress has stumbled a little, due to some materials not arriving when expected, but luckily work is still progressing.

Bead-board wainscoting has been installed, and all doors and windows received new trims more appropriate to the design. The travertine floors have been completely covered to protect them during the remainder of the construction process.

As we begin to piece together the artistic project, the client has chosen artisan Ron Francis to do a Venetian plaster finish on the ceiling, and behind the vanity mirrors. The first coats in the process were layers of cream colors, in finishes and glazes that will reflect the light and give the ceiling texture. A very small amount of color was added in the final coats...a green-blue that mimics the color of the integral glass sink and counter top.

You'll see how beautifully this ceiling color works in our next photos, where we'll reveal the installed cabinetry, and the sink-counter top. We're currently waiting for a tub, toilet, sconces and faucets...but, next week I can reveal the cabinetry to keep you on the hook!

Piecing It Together

Back to our latest bath renovation. The last time we looked in on it, the demolition was complete, new framing, plumbing and wiring all in. Most of the material selections have now been made, and the pieces are coming together.

Deciding on a logical order for the work to progress is generally a fairly simple process, but in this case it's a little more complicated due to some elements that won't come in for a while, and other elements that should happen somewhat "out of logical order" due to their unusual nature.

One pretty easy decision is to install the flooring material. Cabinetry, base mouldings and toilet will sit on top of it, so it should almost always happen first.

18" square Travertine was selected for this floor. There will be both traditional and somewhat more modern elements in the finished bathroom, so the large stone tile was a logical choice. The stone is both "old-world" and timeless, and the size creates more of a contemporary look. The tiles were installed in a staggered pattern to further the timeless feel, and since the tiles were justified (or rectified, depending on who you ask), they could be laid with very small--1/16"--grout joints.

Once the floor tile was in, we could begin to make final color choices for the walls, cabinetry, etc.

And so the "pretty" begins!

As in all renovation projects, the beginning elements of the work are more nuts-and-bolts than anything, but you have to start there! With a careful design approach, the new plan will show you where plumbing needs to be moved, lights, outlets and switches rewired and relocated, and old walls removed and new walls added as needed.

In this bathroom, the toilet is moving to the other side of the room to allow space for a longer vanity and storage cabinet. The original jumbo-sized shower area allows space for the relocated toilet, and a tub/shower area. All-in-all, a much better usage of space.

We are also adding additional can lights into the ceiling to more appropriately light the bathroom, which will make the bathroom both more pleasant, and more efficient.

Though it will remain a pretty traditional bathroom layout, what is going to make this bathroom truly special is the finishes. The choices have now all been made, and I think they are exciting! There are still some challenges ahead, and we are counting on some careful color decisions to pull it all together.

I'm looking forward to "solving" this final puzzle.

Making Sense Of It

Currently, I'm helping a client with a full bathroom renovation that she's been waiting for a good long time! The bathroom was functional, in a generic sort of way, but the over sized shower stall barely allowed space for the bare necessities--sink and toilet--and certainly didn't provide any storage opportunities. Okay, I'm going to say it....it just wasn't pretty!

After a considerable amount of back and forth, give and take in the design, we're ready to get started! But as always, lots of work to do before the "pretty" starts to happen.

Out with all the old! By removing the large shower area, we're giving ourselves ample space for a tub/shower combination, and still plenty of room for the toilet area.

This will leave the other wall open for a lavatory-vanity combination, and include a tower of upper cabinets for linen and accessory storage. And since this client is an artist in her own rite, I promise there will be lots of other surprises in store!