These are pictures of one of our latest remodel projects. We replaced the shower and all the tile surrounding the garden tub. The cabinets were re finished black and the floor was replaced using these mat black hexagon shaped tiles. All of the faucet fixtures and lights were also replaced. To update the contractor wall mirror, we added two round gold mirrors and vanity lights above.

Small condo bathroom gets modern update with walk in shower tiled with vertical white subway tile, black slate style niche and shower floor, rain head shower with hand shower, and partial glass door. New flooring, lighting, vanity, and sink.

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.

Basement bathroom finish includes custom tile shower with acrylic shower pan, farm-house style framed black shower enclosure, black fixtures, kohler toilet, open shelves, and clear rustic finish hickory vanity and shelves. White subway tile shower with Corian Acrylic storage shelves and black hex tile on floor.

This homeowner loved her home, loved the location, but it needed updating and a more efficient use of the condensed space she had for her master bedroom/bath. She was desirous of a spa-like master suite that not only used all spaces efficiently but was a tranquil escape to enjoy. Her master bathroom was small, dated and inefficient with a corner shower and she used a couple small areas for storage but needed a more formal master closet and designated space for her shoes. Additionally, we were working with severely sloped ceilings in this space, which required us to be creative in utilizing the space for a hallway as well as prized shoe storage while stealing space from the bedroom. She also asked for a laundry room on this floor, which we were able to create using stackable units. Custom closet cabinetry allowed for closed storage and a fun light fixture complete the space. Her new master bathroom allowed for a large shower with fun tile and bench, custom cabinetry with transitional plumbing fixtures, and a sliding barn door for privacy.

The English Contractor & Remodeling Services, Cincinnati, Ohio, 2020 Regional CotY Award Winner, Residential Bath Under $25,000

Main Bathroom

Playful black and white bathroom with penny tile stripes Photo by Stacy Zarin Goldberg Photography

Bliss 16" modern bathroom vanity in gray Oak finish

The guest bath in this project was a simple black and white design with beveled subway tile and ceramic patterned tile on the floor. Bringing the tile up the wall and to the ceiling in the shower adds depth and luxury to this small bathroom. The farmhouse sink with raw pine vanity cabinet give a rustic vibe; the perfect amount of natural texture in this otherwise tile and glass space. Perfect for guests!

a duravit double vessel sink allows for additional counter space at the compact master bath vanity, with ceramic globe sconces at either side of the custom window and mirror frame that illuminate the coral hued heath wall tile

Tatjana Plitt

re-model of 1950's ranch style home. Photography by Tara Judd

Photos by Andrew Giammarco Photography.