Before and Afters
Bathroom Design
Bathroom of the Week: Airy, Boho Look and a Wood Vanity
A designer gives a homeowner’s basic bathroom more openness and a fresh style with brass details and geometric pattern
The word “basic” pretty much summed up Jennifer Waldrip’s en suite bathroom in Gilbert, Arizona. The space functioned fine, but a standard shower enclosure with chrome frame and frosted glass, a generic vanity, a dated built-in bathtub and beige tile flooring created a low-energy look that Waldrip had grown tired of.
So she hired designer Lauren Lerner to help inject some fresh style into the space. Lerner ditched the bland finishes and features and gave the space an open feeling with a frameless glass shower enclosure and freestanding tub. She then created a modern-boho style with a light wood double vanity, geometric accents and brass details.
So she hired designer Lauren Lerner to help inject some fresh style into the space. Lerner ditched the bland finishes and features and gave the space an open feeling with a frameless glass shower enclosure and freestanding tub. She then created a modern-boho style with a light wood double vanity, geometric accents and brass details.
After: Lerner had the bathroom stripped but kept the new components in the same location. “We were able to work with her budget by not moving plumbing or changing out the window — and spend the money on the finishes,” Lerner says.
The enlarged frameless glass shower and freestanding tub create an airier layout. Gray vinyl wallpaper behind the vanity and tub features geometric shapes. “It has a slight pattern and some color,” Lerner says. “It gives warmth and dimension to the bathroom, without adding too much busyness.”
The wallpaper coordinates with white porcelain floor tiles in a rhomboid pattern. The matte finish on the tile provides grip.
Wallpaper: Milano Square in gray, Thibaut; floor tile: Allora rhomboid matte porcelain in solid white, Bedrosians Tile and Stone
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The enlarged frameless glass shower and freestanding tub create an airier layout. Gray vinyl wallpaper behind the vanity and tub features geometric shapes. “It has a slight pattern and some color,” Lerner says. “It gives warmth and dimension to the bathroom, without adding too much busyness.”
The wallpaper coordinates with white porcelain floor tiles in a rhomboid pattern. The matte finish on the tile provides grip.
Wallpaper: Milano Square in gray, Thibaut; floor tile: Allora rhomboid matte porcelain in solid white, Bedrosians Tile and Stone
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Before: A basic vanity with cultured marble countertop, frameless mirror and outdated light fixtures didn’t create the lively style Waldrip wanted. “The vanity was also at a low counter height, so you had to reach down to wash your face,” she says. “I’m not tall, but it was low even for me.”
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After: A new custom rift-cut white oak double vanity is taller and slightly longer than the old one, and it features more storage. Skinny Shaker-style fronts and brass hardware give it a fresh, modern style. “That particular wood and color of wood adds a soft look to the bathroom,” Lerner says. “And because [Waldrip] wanted that boho vibe, it adds another natural element to the room.”
A stool now sits where the basket is located under the countertop in this photo. Waldrip uses the spot for doing her makeup. “I love makeup and would rather do it in the bathroom with easy access to a sink,” she says. “I’m no longer doing my makeup in my master bedroom at a seated desk.”
Rectangular mirrors above the sinks feature a narrow border of faux shagreen that adds subtle texture and visual interest. Sconces above the mirrors have a classic-meets-contemporary look with clear ribbed glass and an antique brass finish.
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A stool now sits where the basket is located under the countertop in this photo. Waldrip uses the spot for doing her makeup. “I love makeup and would rather do it in the bathroom with easy access to a sink,” she says. “I’m no longer doing my makeup in my master bedroom at a seated desk.”
Rectangular mirrors above the sinks feature a narrow border of faux shagreen that adds subtle texture and visual interest. Sconces above the mirrors have a classic-meets-contemporary look with clear ribbed glass and an antique brass finish.
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A low-pile polyester rug in front of the vanity has a distressed Turkish diamond pattern in tones of light pink, blue, gold and brown.
Rug: Marquesa, Jaipur Living
Rug: Marquesa, Jaipur Living
The vanity’s marble-look off-white quartz counter with bold gray veining offers durability and an elegant vibe. Widespread faucets with cross handles and a brushed brass finish coordinate with other brass details in the space.
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New to home remodeling? Learn the basics
The acrylic 60-by-34-inch oval freestanding white tub has an ergonomic design with lumbar support at either end. “Since the space has a rectangular feel, we wanted to add something with curves,” Lerner says.
The side of the tub facing the window includes a wider deck to hold a candle or beverage. A few inches between the tub and wall allow Waldrip to use a microfiber mop to clean any dust buildup.
A floor-mount bath filler matches the brushed brass finish of the sink faucets. It also includes a hand shower function.
The pendant light over the tub is free-flowing rattan cinched by a band of rattan that has a gold finish. “It has an organic, different feel to it,” Lerner says.
A custom blue-and-gray shade in Belgian linen offers a decorative touch over the existing glass block window. “I would have loved to change the window, but the budget didn’t accommodate it,” Waldrip says.
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The side of the tub facing the window includes a wider deck to hold a candle or beverage. A few inches between the tub and wall allow Waldrip to use a microfiber mop to clean any dust buildup.
A floor-mount bath filler matches the brushed brass finish of the sink faucets. It also includes a hand shower function.
The pendant light over the tub is free-flowing rattan cinched by a band of rattan that has a gold finish. “It has an organic, different feel to it,” Lerner says.
A custom blue-and-gray shade in Belgian linen offers a decorative touch over the existing glass block window. “I would have loved to change the window, but the budget didn’t accommodate it,” Waldrip says.
14 Design Tips to Know Before Remodeling Your Bathroom
The updated shower has a taller, custom glass enclosure. The shower walls feature gray ceramic 5-by-5-inch tiles with a smooth gloss finish and variation in hue and tone. The same tiles in white, cut in half, form the band between the gray tiles. “The client loved that tile because it’s really pretty and has a dimension to it,” Lerner says. “We used the band of white tile because we wanted to make it a bit different from what you typically see.”
White matte penny round mosaic tiles on the shower floor offer good grip and a contrasting pattern to the wall tiles.
The water closet is to the left of the shower.
Shower tile: Cloe in gray and Cloe in white (walls) and Penny Rounds Mosaic in matte white (floor), Bedrosians Tile and Stone
White matte penny round mosaic tiles on the shower floor offer good grip and a contrasting pattern to the wall tiles.
The water closet is to the left of the shower.
Shower tile: Cloe in gray and Cloe in white (walls) and Penny Rounds Mosaic in matte white (floor), Bedrosians Tile and Stone
The brushed brass shower head, hand shower and cross handles are from the same line as the faucet and bathtub filler, creating design cohesion.
A small niche holds products, while a slimmer niche accommodates bars of soap and razors.
A small niche holds products, while a slimmer niche accommodates bars of soap and razors.
A custom barn door opens to an updated walk-in closet.
“It’s a tranquil space now,” Waldrip says of her refreshed bathroom. “I feel it completes the home.”
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“It’s a tranquil space now,” Waldrip says of her refreshed bathroom. “I feel it completes the home.”
More on Houzz
Read more bathroom stories
Browse bathroom photos
Find a local bathroom remodeler
Shop for your bathroom
Bathroom at a Glance
Who lives here: Jennifer Waldrip and her two kids
Location: Gilbert, Arizona
Size: 230 square feet (21 square meters)
Designer: Lauren Lerner of Living With Lolo
Before: The basic look of the former bathroom wasn’t the only issue. Bulky elements packed together created a cramped feeling in the room.