Bathroom of the Week: Whimsical Yet Sophisticated Kids’ Space
Playfully illustrated blowfish swim across the walls of this 40-square-foot bath in New England
Becky Harris
October 13, 2020
Houzz Contributor. Hi there! I live in a 1940s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe as "collected."
I got into design via Landscape Architecture, which I studied at the University of Virginia.
Houzz Contributor. Hi there! I live in a 1940s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe... More
This compact kids’ bathroom in Wellesley, Massachusetts, was lacking in personality. “The children who share it were 5 and 8, and their parents wanted the room to grow up with them,” interior designer Katrina Bogart says. She came up with a transitional design that has a sophisticated under-the-sea vibe.
Before Photo
“After” photos by Sheryl Kalis Photography
Bathroom at a Glance
Who lives here: A family of four
Location: Wellesley, Massachusetts
Size: 40 square feet (3.7 square meters); 5 by 8 feet
Designer: Katrina Bogart of Bogart Interiors
Contractor: Mike Bogart of The Bogart Finish
Before: The bathroom in the 1950s Garrison Colonial had undergone a “beige and brown” remodel in the late 1980s or early 1990s, Bogart says.
Knowing her client loved whimsy, she arrived at their first meeting armed with a design plan and a whimsical blowfish wallpaper sample. “My client gasped, ‘Oh my goodness!’ and ran out of the room. She came back with a blowfish plate she loved. It was serendipitous,” Bogart says.
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Bathroom at a Glance
Who lives here: A family of four
Location: Wellesley, Massachusetts
Size: 40 square feet (3.7 square meters); 5 by 8 feet
Designer: Katrina Bogart of Bogart Interiors
Contractor: Mike Bogart of The Bogart Finish
Before: The bathroom in the 1950s Garrison Colonial had undergone a “beige and brown” remodel in the late 1980s or early 1990s, Bogart says.
Knowing her client loved whimsy, she arrived at their first meeting armed with a design plan and a whimsical blowfish wallpaper sample. “My client gasped, ‘Oh my goodness!’ and ran out of the room. She came back with a blowfish plate she loved. It was serendipitous,” Bogart says.
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After: Now a multitude of blowfish are on the walls from floor to ceiling. The pattern is playful enough for young children, but the artwork and color palette are sophisticated, which will allow the space to grow up with them. Bogart opted for wallpaper with a cream background to bring warmth into the room. The nautical light over the mirror continues the marine theme without going over the top. Other lighting includes a fan light in the shower and recessed lighting over the toilet and vanity.
The vanity is custom. Bogart designed it so that each child would have their own drawer and one to share. She chose a rich jewel-toned enamel paint rather than an overtly nautical hue. The hardware is brass and the pulls have star-shaped backplates.
The window treatment is a lined linen Roman shade. “The shade is soft and adds some depth,” Bogart says.
Wallpaper: Mr. Blow, Abnormals Anonymous
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The vanity is custom. Bogart designed it so that each child would have their own drawer and one to share. She chose a rich jewel-toned enamel paint rather than an overtly nautical hue. The hardware is brass and the pulls have star-shaped backplates.
The window treatment is a lined linen Roman shade. “The shade is soft and adds some depth,” Bogart says.
Wallpaper: Mr. Blow, Abnormals Anonymous
Hire a cabinet pro
For the countertop, Bogart used a remnant of quartz left over from the clients’ kitchen renovation, which took place at the same time. The hardware and mirror are brass and the faucet and light fixture are polished nickel. “I like to mix metals. It makes it feel more curated and intentional,” Bogart says. “When everything matches, it can look like it all came straight out of a catalog.”
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Browse bathroom mirrors in the Houzz Shop
Bogart chose classic finishes for all of the more permanent elements, such as tile. The black-and-white color palette has lasting style, and traditional subway and penny tiles go with the architectural style and era of the home. If the couple ever want to change the look of the room, it will be inexpensive to make a few cosmetic changes such as to the wallpaper or vanity color.
The designer recommended a clear glass shower enclosure to maintain an open feel in the compact space. The shower door handle doubles as a towel bar.
The shower niche extends almost the entire length of the back wall. “The long niche plays off the symmetry of the tub,” Bogart says. “And there’s plenty of space for multiple kids’ things.” She backed the nook in black penny tile that matches the floor. And she used a solid white quartz to trim it out for a clean look.
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The designer recommended a clear glass shower enclosure to maintain an open feel in the compact space. The shower door handle doubles as a towel bar.
The shower niche extends almost the entire length of the back wall. “The long niche plays off the symmetry of the tub,” Bogart says. “And there’s plenty of space for multiple kids’ things.” She backed the nook in black penny tile that matches the floor. And she used a solid white quartz to trim it out for a clean look.
More on Houzz
Read more bathroom stories
Browse bathroom photos
Find a local bathroom remodeler
Browse vanities in the Houzz Shop
Shop for your bathroom
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@Kathleen Marineau You have a point but I bet there's a lot less fighting amongst siblings these days, at least over use of bathrooms.
Love the wall niche in the shower and the wallpaper, it looks fantastic. I grew up in the 60's & 70's in a very small house with 3 giant brothers and my parents. We had 1 small bathroom and managed just fine, although (as is common in Australia) the toilet was in a separate (adjacent) room from the bathroom, so there was some privacy! Actually I've always found it curious why having the toilet in the bathroom is a thing, especially in the USA where a lot of houses seem to be very spacious. I can sort of understand it in small apartments or flats, but why in a house?
I agree, LH. One house we lived in for a period (an old farmhouse) had the separate toilet out in the backyard. At least it was a flushing toilet by the time we lived there!