Before & After: Glitzy '80s Bathroom Goes Sleek Modern

A Michigan design-build firm gives a Hollywood-inspired bathroom a radical redo

Amara Holstein October 10, 2019

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MainStreet Design Build

This story is from our Trade Program email series.

Trends from prior decades don’t always suit today’s aesthetic. Case in point: an ’80s master bathroom in Bloomington Hills, Michigan, in which mirrors and lights collided in a jumble of corners and cubbies. After a total remodel, it’s now sleek and smooth, a far cry from its former self. We spoke with Christine Ramaekers, who’s part of our Trade Program and the vice president of and lead designer at MainStreet Design Build in Birmingham, Michigan, on how the team completely transformed the space.

Before Photo

MainStreet Design Build

What did the bathroom look like before?

It was mirrors everywhere, with old-fashioned Hollywood lights. It looked like the ’80s on steroids. There were paths and closets throughout the space, little cubbies and single-doored closets, just nowhere to move. It was really overwhelming.

What did the clients request?

They’re an older couple. They wanted it clean and open with a modern feel and with full access for future needs. They liked the original taupey-white palette, but we wanted to give it a much softer look.

Ramaeker’s Product Picks: Delta Vero Widespread Bathroom Faucet, Elegant Furniture & Lighting LED Mirror, Marble Systems Diana Royal Modern Tile

MainStreet Design Build

Any challenges?

It was about getting everything they wanted in terms of storage and utility, while keeping the same footprint. We had to gently prod them into opening up closets and creating a much larger thoroughfare. Also, it was hard to get a washer and dryer into a custom cabinet in terms of weight and ventilation needs. We created a pocket door and used high-end hardware so it doesn’t sag later.

What about all that marble?

Natural stone is really important to them; it’s throughout the house. We went back and forth between two marbles, French Vanilla and Diana Royal, but ended up with the latter because she really wanted a bit of color. It’s matte-finished to cut down on slippage. We used a Caesarstone countertop in Linen, a soft pattern with a tiny sand speck to it, and a 2¼-inch square edge, to be simpler than the marble.

MainStreet Design Build

Did you keep any bling?

She’d gotten used to Hollywood lights for putting on her makeup, so we added LEDs to the round mirror, then pendants and recessed lights since they didn’t want sconces. Everything’s on separate dimmer switches. Bright lights also will help as they age.

And storage?

The amount of storage in there is astronomical. All the cabinets are custom. For example, that wall unit over the sinks is five separate pieces, tied together with top and bottom trim. We didn’t want it to infringe on them shaving or brushing their teeth, so it’s only 6 inches deep, good for makeup and medicine but not for a hairdryer.

MainStreet Design Build

No bathtub?

They didn’t want a tub, just a massive walk-in shower. Because of its size and the linear drain, even without a door or threshold there’s no overspray into the rest of the room. There’s a handheld and a wall-mounted shower head, both on separate controls, with a six-way diverter for maximum control. We left room for a chair in the shower, if they should need it one day.

Any other accessible aspects?

All the drawers are full extension, and there are no lower cabinets. The vanity has enough width in the seating area, 36 inches, so that a wheelchair could slide in. And we floated the cabinets partially for looks, partially for utility for their next phase of life.

More of Ramaeker’s Product Picks: Top Knobs 9 in. Holland Pull, Elan Lighting Kabru LED Mini Pendant, Kohler Archer Under-Mount Sink