Simple Beauty

A modest budget and some good old-fashioned innovation come together in all the right ways in this bathroom remodel. A suspended custom vanity facilitates deeper sight lines, giving the illusion of openness to this narrow area. Drawn and polished by hand to create a natural flow, the cut limestone countertop edge undulates its way to the wall, where it meets a limestone cap running over the top of the bamboo wainscoting that connects with the shower area.

The exterior shower wall displays a collage of tiles that constitutes the room’s visual focus without dominating its other unique elements. The vanity backsplash reprises the red accent tile pattern of the wall to help balance the room, while the curve motif of the shower curb finds an echo in the vanity’s gently sloped edging. Smooth and comfy on the feet, the waterproof bamboo floor (and wainscoting) inspire a sense of warmth and tranquility that offsets the crisp coolness of the tile and stone.

Big on function as well as fashion, these homeowners requested grippy shower floor tiling for excellent traction, and grab bars for extra support and security. Facilitating splash-free temp-testing, the shower valve and heads are located on opposite sides of the stall. No shower door means easy access, greater clearance, and one less surface to keep clean. Solid maple doors finished off with grasp-friendly lever-style knobs replace the hulky oak core model for a more streamlined appearance.

To the right of the new mirror (replacing a larger model that didn’t quite jive with the new look), a wall recess gets covered with a smart, two panel bamboo access. New light fixtures round out the improvements to this fresh and vibrant 64-sf space.

Highlights

• Bamboo floors
• Remnant limestone countertop
• Custom vanity
• Ceramic tile
• Logical shower control location