Room of the Day: Bathroom Embraces an Unusual Floor Plan
This long and narrow master bathroom accentuates the positives
The 1970s ranch house this young couple bought in Austin, Texas, had great bones and was the type of home they could grow into while making improvements along the way. That is, except for the master bathroom, which was in desperate need of an immediate update. It had a long and narrow floor plan, and their interior designer encouraged the couple to embrace its character while updating its layout to better fit their needs.
The double vanity was custom-made extra wide to conform to the long and narrow dimensions of the bathroom, which measures 24 by 5 feet. To personalize the cabinets, the designer mixed the hardware: The middle pulls are a combination of brass and bronze, and the outside pulls are made of oxidized copper.
The frosted glass door near the bathtub opens to a water closet that houses the toilet.
The frosted glass door near the bathtub opens to a water closet that houses the toilet.
Saether says that going against some common “rules” of interior design is often the best approach. “Painting a small room a dark color might go against the typical advice that says keep a small room light, but going dark can add drama,” she says. “Sometimes it’s helpful to draw attention to a room’s unusual size or shape.” Therefore, a strip of geometric floor tiles running the length of the room both accentuates and embraces the dimensions of the space.
With the homeowners expecting a baby, it was important for them to add a tub for bathing their future newborn. Saether found a small tub with a shape similar to that of a Japanese soaking tub to accommodate the limited floor space. A shelf on the wall is ideally located to hold bathing supplies.
With the variety of materials and patterns present, Saether kept the tile in the walk-in shower minimalist. “It’s important to have areas in a room where your eyes can rest. You don’t want to overload the senses,” she says.
A small nightstand made of reclaimed wood is used as extra storage space for linens and bath accessories. “Adding a piece of furniture not typically associated with a bathroom can make it feel more lived-in and comfortable,” Saether says.
See more Rooms of the Day
See more Rooms of the Day
Who lives here: A young couple with a newborn baby
Location: Austin, Texas
Size: 120 square feet (11.1 square meters); 24 by 5 feet (7.3 by 1.5 meters)
Designer: Lieve Saether of Turnstyle Design
When you go with a bold wallpaper, it’s a good idea to pick one that won’t look dated in a few years. Working off this concept, interior designer Lieve Saether searched the Schumacher wallpaper catalog for a classic print. “This chinoiserie has been available for decades. It’s never been one of their most popular prints, but it’s always been in style,” she says.
The two mirrors above the vanity were once attached to a matching set of dressers. Saether had the mirrors lacquered in bright red to complement the subtle Asian theme introduced by the wallpaper.