Room of the Day: Children’s Bathroom Gets a Rustic-Chic Makeover
A designer remains focused through challenges to deliver a luxurious gender-neutral bathroom the kids will not outgrow
Morgan Province
May 9, 2017
Houzz Contributor. Enjoying a life of travel around the world and writing fun stories along the way. In my spare time, I plan my dream home on Houzz, read all kinds of books, and cuddle with my two Westies.
Houzz Contributor. Enjoying a life of travel around the world and writing fun stories... More
A couple with twins needed to update their children’s bathroom, and luckily they hired a designer who was up for a challenge. Despite several derailments, Samantha Crow, owner of and principal designer at Juxtaposed Interiors, created a design that would stay relevant for the twins at any age.
“After” photos by Kat Alves Photography
Bathroom at a Glance
Who uses it: A real estate agent couple and their twins
Location: Loomis, California
Size: 73 square feet (6.8 square meters)
Designer: Samantha Crow of Juxtaposed Interiors
This is the main bathroom for a set of 5-year-old twins, but the old design was not a practical space for a growing boy and girl. The homeowners asked for a shower instead of a bathtub and a two-sink vanity instead of one sink. They needed this small room to pack a lot of punch.
Aside from the shower and the double-sink request, the clients left the design up to Crow. The family lives in the countryside on an equestrian farm, so Crow leaned into ranch-style details that would work for the homeowners’ son and daughter. Instead of going with a juvenile theme, Crow created a luxurious bathroom that will be in style no matter how old the kids are.
You can’t tell by the finished look, but this bathroom remodel was no easy feat. In fact, the project took twice as long as expected. One contracting company tore up the room but was unable to finish the plumbing changes required. The water drain for the shower needed to be relocated, and the toilet had to move 15 inches.
“There were a lot of underground changes that happened that were a little overwhelming,” Crow says.
Wall paint: Simply White, Benjamin Moore; wall art: Pottery Barn; ladder towel rack: PB Found Wood Ladder, Pottery Barn
Bathroom at a Glance
Who uses it: A real estate agent couple and their twins
Location: Loomis, California
Size: 73 square feet (6.8 square meters)
Designer: Samantha Crow of Juxtaposed Interiors
This is the main bathroom for a set of 5-year-old twins, but the old design was not a practical space for a growing boy and girl. The homeowners asked for a shower instead of a bathtub and a two-sink vanity instead of one sink. They needed this small room to pack a lot of punch.
Aside from the shower and the double-sink request, the clients left the design up to Crow. The family lives in the countryside on an equestrian farm, so Crow leaned into ranch-style details that would work for the homeowners’ son and daughter. Instead of going with a juvenile theme, Crow created a luxurious bathroom that will be in style no matter how old the kids are.
You can’t tell by the finished look, but this bathroom remodel was no easy feat. In fact, the project took twice as long as expected. One contracting company tore up the room but was unable to finish the plumbing changes required. The water drain for the shower needed to be relocated, and the toilet had to move 15 inches.
“There were a lot of underground changes that happened that were a little overwhelming,” Crow says.
Wall paint: Simply White, Benjamin Moore; wall art: Pottery Barn; ladder towel rack: PB Found Wood Ladder, Pottery Barn
Fortunately, the project got back on track after Crow brought in her tile-installing contractor. He was able to finish the plumbing and offer valuable design advice.
The first design problem the contractor helped solve involved the shower wall tiles. When Crow drew up the design for the main shower wall, she created a large “X” with tile placement to mimic a barn door. But because of the plumbing and fixtures, the tiles would not be able to properly align if an “X” was created. Her contractor helped her draw up another design that still referenced an old farmhouse door.
Secondly, the new shower also required the design team to rethink the exterior window. Placement of the window in the wall had two considerations: privacy and balance. Because the ceiling is lower than one in a normal room, Crow had to be thoughtful about where in the wall the window would be placed and how big it should be.
“When the contractor came in and squashed my design because of alignment issues, he helped me re-create the design and honestly made it all come together,” she says.
Shower wall and floor tile: Walker Zanger
The first design problem the contractor helped solve involved the shower wall tiles. When Crow drew up the design for the main shower wall, she created a large “X” with tile placement to mimic a barn door. But because of the plumbing and fixtures, the tiles would not be able to properly align if an “X” was created. Her contractor helped her draw up another design that still referenced an old farmhouse door.
Secondly, the new shower also required the design team to rethink the exterior window. Placement of the window in the wall had two considerations: privacy and balance. Because the ceiling is lower than one in a normal room, Crow had to be thoughtful about where in the wall the window would be placed and how big it should be.
“When the contractor came in and squashed my design because of alignment issues, he helped me re-create the design and honestly made it all come together,” she says.
Shower wall and floor tile: Walker Zanger
The new bathroom window, although nice, let in less natural light than the previous one. To brighten the room, Crow painted the walls white, added recessed lighting and placed a sconce above each mirror. Knowing that an entirely white room can look a little flat, Crow chose accents that were neutral and gold to add visual interest that draws the eye around the room.
While the room feels luxurious, it becomes quaint and ranch-like with details such as black and white portraits of horses and the natural wood ladder.
Light fixtures: Restoration Hardware; round mirrors: West Elm; vanity: Restoration Hardware; wall decor: Pottery Barn; all plumbing fixtures and towel ring: Vibrant Brushed Gold, Koehler Purist Collection
While the room feels luxurious, it becomes quaint and ranch-like with details such as black and white portraits of horses and the natural wood ladder.
Light fixtures: Restoration Hardware; round mirrors: West Elm; vanity: Restoration Hardware; wall decor: Pottery Barn; all plumbing fixtures and towel ring: Vibrant Brushed Gold, Koehler Purist Collection
The designer also considered who was going to use this bathroom the most. She added multiple storage options such as the initial towel hooks, a ladder towel rack, storage baskets under the sinks and a niche in the shower.
Storage baskets: Pottery Barn; stationary shower panel: custom made; initial towel hooks: Restoration Hardware
Storage baskets: Pottery Barn; stationary shower panel: custom made; initial towel hooks: Restoration Hardware
The floor tiles are another fun piece of the design, and they are actually the designer’s favorite element in this bathroom. Oddly enough, these were not even the tiles Crow initially selected. The cement tiles she wanted were too thick and did not align with the wood floors in the hallway. Later, Crow found this beautiful tile design, and when laid down they matched up with the hallway flooring.
Crow advises people considering a remodel to thoroughly research all the materials and interview multiple contractors who can handle the whole job. It may sound smart to hire a cheaper demolition team and spend more on the rebuild team. But come project time, it’s helpful to have a consistent contractor because he or she will provide continuity to the remodel.
Crow was happy with the way the project turned out, despite it not being her original vision. “It was, of course, frustrating, but it was also a challenge I wanted to overcome, so I enjoyed collaborating with others to find the best solutions,” Crow says.
Bathroom floor tile: Sterling Row Collection, Walker Zanger
Contractor and tile installer: Wardlow Tile and Stone
See more Rooms of the Day
Crow advises people considering a remodel to thoroughly research all the materials and interview multiple contractors who can handle the whole job. It may sound smart to hire a cheaper demolition team and spend more on the rebuild team. But come project time, it’s helpful to have a consistent contractor because he or she will provide continuity to the remodel.
Crow was happy with the way the project turned out, despite it not being her original vision. “It was, of course, frustrating, but it was also a challenge I wanted to overcome, so I enjoyed collaborating with others to find the best solutions,” Crow says.
Bathroom floor tile: Sterling Row Collection, Walker Zanger
Contractor and tile installer: Wardlow Tile and Stone
See more Rooms of the Day
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I love the combinations you made with the wood, tiles and overall design. World class beauty.
What a gorgeous, stylish bathroom...very impressive. Thanks for sharing.