Bathroom Design
Before and Afters
Before and After: A Revamped Master Bathroom Shines Bright
Layered lighting, muted colors and reflective finishes transform this Minnesota master bath
Before. As you entered the former master bathroom from the bedroom, the sinks were to the left. The two sinks were separated by a makeup counter in the corner.
After. Knutson located the new two-sink vanity on the same wall to the left of the entrance. The sinks now are side by side and adjacent to the new freestanding soaker tub. The custom vanity has furniture detailing, a white lacquer finish and black granite countertops. A trio of Keller sconces from RH alongside custom mirrors illuminates faces better than the previous overhead lighting.
Browse double vanities
Browse double vanities
Before. The dimensions of the existing built-in tub did not allow for a bather to stretch out fully. With only one overhead downlight, the bathing area was also rather dark. The former enclosed shower was to the right of the tub; the entrance to the shower is just out of view.
After. To open up the space, the design team reduced the vanity’s footprint, replaced the solid shower wall with glass and added silver leafing to the ceiling along with a new dazzling chandelier to make the room feel larger. Each area of the bath, including the tub, vanity and toilet areas, were “designed to be individual formal compositions,” Knutson says, “and we used symmetry and a repetitive rectangular tile motif to connect them to one another for a more unified architectural expression.”
Knutson laid the Calacatta marble floor in a herringbone pattern with an inlaid “rug” of smaller tiles near the vanity. The tile niche above the tub is for art or flowers and features two inset lights to provide a warm glow.
Knutson laid the Calacatta marble floor in a herringbone pattern with an inlaid “rug” of smaller tiles near the vanity. The tile niche above the tub is for art or flowers and features two inset lights to provide a warm glow.
Before. The former toilet area was to the right of the door leading from the master bedroom.
After. The design team built custom cabinetry around the commode to ensure plentiful storage. New frosted-glass doors separate the bath and bedroom. The silver-leaf tray ceiling was created by Trompe Decorative Finishes and houses a Petit Crystal chandelier from Schonbek. The result is a spa-like bath.
Builder: Ben Quie & Sons
More
Before and After: 6 Dream Bathrooms That Free the Tub
How the Heck Do You Clean a Glass Shower Door?
Builder: Ben Quie & Sons
More
Before and After: 6 Dream Bathrooms That Free the Tub
How the Heck Do You Clean a Glass Shower Door?
Bathroom at a Glance
Who lives here: A professional couple
Location: Edina, Minnesota
Size: About 300 square feet (28 square meters)
Designer: Paul Knutson of Knutson Residential Design
The master bath was the only area left in the house that hadn’t been remodeled since the homeowners moved in. But just because it was the last room transformed in the house doesn’t mean it was the least important. “Our clients desired a glowing transitional bathroom with the same sophistication and cohesive architectural vocabulary found throughout their home,” says designer Paul Knutson. “They wanted a more open plan, better lighting and storage, a more luxurious bathing experience and a more defined connection with the master bedroom.”