Michele Lee Wilson

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.

Traditional downstairs toilet with wood paneling and tiled floor.

Deep, rich green adds drama as well as the black honed granite surface. Arch mirror repeats design element throughout the home. Savoy House black sconces and matte black hardware.

Guest bathroom with dimensional tile wainscot

Sweeney Design Remodel updated all the finishes, including the flooring and wallpaper. We replaced a pedestal sink and wall-hung cabinet with a beautiful Mexican-painted sink the clients had collected and set it on a wooden vanity. Glacier-white granite was featured on the powder bath vanity. The floor was replaced with a terracotta-colored hexagon tile that complemented the ornate sink, and indigo wallpaper with a subtle botanical print tied the room together. A stunning crystal chandelier offered another focal point for the space. For storage, we added matching corner cabinets with granite countertops.

The master bath and guest bath were also remodeled in this project. This textured grey subway tile was used in both. The guest bath features a tub-shower combination with a glass side-panel to help give the room a bigger, more open feel than the wall that was originally there. The master shower features sliding glass doors and a fold down seat, as well as trendy black shiplap. All and all, both bathroom remodels added an element of luxury and relaxation to the home.

Interior and Exterior Renovations to existing HGTV featured Tiny Home. We modified the exterior paint color theme and painted the interior of the tiny home to give it a fresh look. The interior of the tiny home has been decorated and furnished for use as an AirBnb space. Outdoor features a new custom built deck and hot tub space.

Elegant powder bath is convenient to the patio and public spaces.

Demolition of existing bathroom tub/shower, tile walls and fixtures. Complete replacement of drywall and cement backer board. Removal of existing tile floor and floated with a self leveling compound. Replacement of all existing plumbing and electrical rough-in to make ready for new fixtures. Installation of fiberglass shower pan and installation of new water proof vinyl wall tile in shower. Installation of new waterproof laminate flooring, wall wainscot and door trim. Upgraded vanity and toilet, and all new fixtures (shower faucet, sink faucet, light fixtures, towel hooks, etc)