Bathroom Design
Before and Afters
Bathroom of the Week: Classic Style in a Bed-to-Bath Conversion
A design duo transforms a bedroom into a stylish en suite with a low-curb shower, slipper tub and dark green vanity
Designer Jesse Strickler faced a dilemma. He’d recently bought a 1,000-square-foot 1950s home in Tulsa, Oklahoma, that had just one hallway bathroom shared among its three bedrooms. Wanting an en suite bath, he put his head together with sister-in-law Jennifer Strickler, who’s also a designer.
The pair turned their attention to one of the bedrooms, which offered the right amount of square footage to be a spacious bathroom. They closed up that bedroom’s entrance, then created an opening in the primary bedroom to connect the two rooms. This allowed them to create a light and airy layout in the former bedroom with a corner glass-enclosed, low-curb shower, freestanding tub and a double vanity, with plenty of breathing room in the 145 square feet. White and black tile and finishes and brushed nickel fixtures bring a classic touch, while the hunter green vanity and brass details deliver a punch of modern appeal.
The pair turned their attention to one of the bedrooms, which offered the right amount of square footage to be a spacious bathroom. They closed up that bedroom’s entrance, then created an opening in the primary bedroom to connect the two rooms. This allowed them to create a light and airy layout in the former bedroom with a corner glass-enclosed, low-curb shower, freestanding tub and a double vanity, with plenty of breathing room in the 145 square feet. White and black tile and finishes and brushed nickel fixtures bring a classic touch, while the hunter green vanity and brass details deliver a punch of modern appeal.
After: The designers walled off the entrance to the former bedroom and created a new entrance from Jesse’s main bedroom into the newly created bathroom. The home is built over a crawl space, so upgrading the electrical and routing the plumbing were fairly straightforward.
The spacious low-curb shower occupies the corner between the windows and features a frameless glass enclosure that capitalizes on the abundant natural light. The bathtub sits beneath one window, and the vanity is along the opposite wall. The toilet sits in an alcove at about where this photo was taken. (See floor plan below.) An added exhaust fan on the ceiling between the shower and tub helps keep moisture levels under control.
Cool taupe paint on the walls and ceiling (Heron Plume by Sherwin-Williams) and warm gray trim (Pachyderm by Sherwin-Williams) create a neutral backdrop for the high-contrast white and black tiles.
Find a bathroom designer near you
The spacious low-curb shower occupies the corner between the windows and features a frameless glass enclosure that capitalizes on the abundant natural light. The bathtub sits beneath one window, and the vanity is along the opposite wall. The toilet sits in an alcove at about where this photo was taken. (See floor plan below.) An added exhaust fan on the ceiling between the shower and tub helps keep moisture levels under control.
Cool taupe paint on the walls and ceiling (Heron Plume by Sherwin-Williams) and warm gray trim (Pachyderm by Sherwin-Williams) create a neutral backdrop for the high-contrast white and black tiles.
Find a bathroom designer near you
The 60-inch ready-made hunter green double vanity adds a punch of color. “He’s not a fan of white cabinets and wanted something unique,” Jennifer says. “He’s typically drawn to darker, richer colors.” An open shelf of white oak adds a touch of warmth and a place to store clean towels.
The vanity has a black granite countertop and short backsplash. White vessel sinks pair with brushed nickel faucets that feature a gooseneck spout and cross handles. “They’re a modernized play on a vintage look,” Jennifer says.
Gold cabinet knobs coordinate with the antique brass finish on the light fixture. The black finish on the light works with the black finish on the mirrors. Burnished silver accents on the mirrors complement the faucet finish. The mixed-metal look in the vanity area adds layers of interest.
Mirrors: Carrick black oval, Uttermost; faucets: Exira single-hole vessel faucet with pop-up drain in brushed nickel, Signature Hardware; vanity light: English Pub four-light in antique brass and tarnished graphite, Elk Home
Shop for green bathroom vanities
The vanity has a black granite countertop and short backsplash. White vessel sinks pair with brushed nickel faucets that feature a gooseneck spout and cross handles. “They’re a modernized play on a vintage look,” Jennifer says.
Gold cabinet knobs coordinate with the antique brass finish on the light fixture. The black finish on the light works with the black finish on the mirrors. Burnished silver accents on the mirrors complement the faucet finish. The mixed-metal look in the vanity area adds layers of interest.
Mirrors: Carrick black oval, Uttermost; faucets: Exira single-hole vessel faucet with pop-up drain in brushed nickel, Signature Hardware; vanity light: English Pub four-light in antique brass and tarnished graphite, Elk Home
Shop for green bathroom vanities
The 10-inch black hexagonal porcelain floor tiles conceal a radiant-heat system and anchor the room in a bit of drama. “I wanted something high-contrast and didn’t want to compete with the green I chose for the vanity,” Jesse says.
10 Bathroom Design Features Pros Always Recommend
10 Bathroom Design Features Pros Always Recommend
The shower floor features the same black hex porcelain tiles but in a 1-inch size. Glossy white 4-by-12-inch ceramic tiles with charcoal-colored grout wrap the shower walls. “I was going to go with regular subway tiles but decided to splurge and go with larger tiles that are a bit more bold,” Jesse says.
The custom glass enclosure maximizes light. “I didn’t want to go with any pony walls because I wanted the bathroom to feel as large as possible,” Jesse says.
Custom glass enclosure: A1 Glass Metro Mirror & Shower Door; tile: Imperial Bianco gloss ceramic, 4 by 12 inches, (walls) and hex matte black porcelain mosaic tile, 1 by 1 inches, (floor), The Tile Shop
The custom glass enclosure maximizes light. “I didn’t want to go with any pony walls because I wanted the bathroom to feel as large as possible,” Jesse says.
Custom glass enclosure: A1 Glass Metro Mirror & Shower Door; tile: Imperial Bianco gloss ceramic, 4 by 12 inches, (walls) and hex matte black porcelain mosaic tile, 1 by 1 inches, (floor), The Tile Shop
Dual brushed nickel shower heads are from the same collection as the vanity faucets; they feature thermostatic technology for consistent water temperature and hand showers for flexibility. “I wanted the external exposed pipes for that classic, old-fashioned look,” Jesse says.
Shower fixtures: Exira thermostatic shower with hand shower in brushed nickel, Signature Hardware
Shower fixtures: Exira thermostatic shower with hand shower in brushed nickel, Signature Hardware
Two niches — one short, one tall — help keep shower products off the floor.
New to home remodeling? Learn the basics
New to home remodeling? Learn the basics
A 67-inch modern white acrylic bathtub has a sleek look with curved lines. “It’s a pretty tub,” Jesse says. “I liked that it has a very exaggerated slipper on one side.”
Art: “Broken Clouds” by Stephanie Goos Johnson
Shop for freestanding bathtubs
Art: “Broken Clouds” by Stephanie Goos Johnson
Shop for freestanding bathtubs
A contemporary-style brushed nickel tub filler coordinates with the shower fixtures and sink faucets. A small wood table offers a spot for a candle, bath products or beverage.
This floor plan shows the converted bathroom (top) in what was once a bedroom. Jesse’s main bedroom (bottom) features an open doorway (center) that leads to a short hallway closet that leads to the bathroom. The toilet (center left) sits in an alcove.
“I love that I have the bigger bathroom now,” Jesse says. “It just elevates the quality of the house.”
More on Houzz
Read more bathroom stories
Browse bathroom photos
Find a bathroom designer
Shop for your bathroom
“I love that I have the bigger bathroom now,” Jesse says. “It just elevates the quality of the house.”
More on Houzz
Read more bathroom stories
Browse bathroom photos
Find a bathroom designer
Shop for your bathroom
Bathroom at a Glance
Who lives here: Designer Jesse Strickler
Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma
Size: 145 square feet (13 square meters)
Designer: Jennifer Strickler Design
Before: The former bedroom presented a basic shell to work with. Two windows meant the space would get adequate natural light.