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.

Photography by: Connie Anderson Photography

This bathroom was inspired by nature and designed to feel larger than its 5'ish x 8'ish footprint. We accomplished this by accenting the back wall and tiling the shower surround to the ceiling to draw the eye back and up. Sticking with a neutral, bright color scheme and using a tall vanity mirror helps bounce the light to create the illusion of space.

Black metal hardware, floor and shower tile, quartz countertops are all elements that pull this farmhouse bathroom together.

The client came to us looking for a bathroom remodel for their Glen Park home. They had two seemingly opposing interests—creating a spa getaway and a child-friendly bathroom. The space served many roles. It was the main guest restroom, mom’s get-ready and relax space, and the kids’ stomping grounds. We took all of these functional needs and incorporated them with mom’s aesthetic goals. First, we doubled the medicine cabinets to provide ample storage space. Rounded-top, dark metal mirrors created a soft but modern appearance. Then, we paired these with a wooden floating vanity with black hardware and a simple white sink. This piece brought in a natural, spa feel and made space for the kids to store their step stool. We enveloped the room with a simple stone floor and white subway tiles set vertically to elongate the small space. As the centerpiece, we chose a large, sleek tub and surrounded it in an entirely unique textured stone tile. Tactile and warm, the tile created a soothing, restful environment. We added an inset for storage, plenty of black metal hooks for the kids’ accessories, and modern black metal faucets and showerheads. Finally, we accented the space with orb sconces for a starlet illusion. Once the design was set, we prepared site measurements and permit drawings, sourced all materials, and vetted contractors. We assisted in working with vendors and communicating between all parties. This little space now serves as the portfolio piece of the home.

Both the master bath and the guest bath were in dire need of a remodel. The guest bath was a much simpler project, basically replacing what was there in the same location with upgraded cabinets, tile, fittings fixtures and lighting. The most dramatic feature is the patterned floor tile and the navy blue painted ship lap wall behind the vanity. The master was another project. First, we enlarged the bathroom and an adjacent closet by straightening out the walls across the entire length of the bedroom. This gave us the space to create a lovely bathroom complete with a double bowl sink, medicine cabinet, wash let toilet and a beautiful shower.

Photography: Callie Cranford, Charleston Home + Design

This 2-story home boasts an attractive exterior with welcoming front porch complete with decorative posts. The 2-car garage opens to a mudroom entry with built-in lockers. The open floor plan includes 9’ceilings on the first floor and a convenient flex space room to the front of the home. Hardwood flooring in the foyer extends to the powder room, mudroom, kitchen, and breakfast area. The kitchen is well-appointed with cabinetry featuring decorative crown molding, Cambria countertops with tile backsplash, a pantry, and stainless steel appliances. The kitchen opens to the breakfast area and family room with gas fireplace featuring stone surround and stylish shiplap detail above the mantle. The 2nd floor includes 4 bedrooms, 2 full bathrooms, and a laundry room. The spacious owner’s suite features an expansive closet and a private bathroom with tile shower and double bowl vanity.

This stylish update for a family bathroom in a Vermont country house involved a complete reconfiguration of the layout to allow for a built-in linen closet, a 42" wide soaking tub/shower and a double vanity. The reclaimed pine vanity and iron hardware play off the patterned tile floor and ship lap walls for a contemporary eclectic mix.

Athos Kyriakides

Diseño: Ramón Castellanos. Fot.: Pablo Cousinou

Photography by: Connie Anderson Photography

Q Avenue Photo

This bathroom was inspired by nature and designed to feel larger than its 5'ish x 8'ish footprint. We accomplished this by accenting the back wall and tiling the shower surround to the ceiling to draw the eye back and up. Sticking with a neutral, bright color scheme and using a tall vanity mirror helps bounce the light to create the illusion of space.

Photography: Rustic White