Rooms of the Day: Black, White and Wood Decor for 2 Bathrooms
A couple in Canada remodel both rooms at once, moving a tub and installing a shower
A pair of empty nesters wanted to create cohesion inside their 1940s home by remodeling their two bathrooms in a similar style. Designers Tanya McLean and Nichole Skladan took on this two-bathroom challenge. Although the bathrooms are fundamentally traditional in style, the designers used touches of nature from the homeowners’ collection to give both rooms an eclectic and retro edge. The project consisted of a smaller bathroom on the main level of the home and a larger bathroom on the second floor.
Scope of work: Plumbing changes can be costly for a home project, so the homeowners decided to update the fixtures and work with the existing layout.
Another element that was staying put was the glass block window. Replacing the window would be expensive, so McLean had to find a way to work it into her design.
Another element that was staying put was the glass block window. Replacing the window would be expensive, so McLean had to find a way to work it into her design.
Design solutions: The team replaced the shower with the claw-foot bathtub from the upstairs bathroom and painted the outside of the tub black to go with the room’s decor.
As for the glass block window, the finish carpenter cleanly framed it with white wainscoting and trim. “We created the top sill of the wainscoting deeper than usual so [the homeowners] could display some knickknacks,” McLean says.
Flooring: Narrow Douglas fir planks, installed in a herringbone pattern, match the wood floors in the hallway. This wood tone is seen throughout the design in both bathrooms.
Sink: Boulevard, American Standard; paint on custom wainscoting: Cloud White, Benjamin Moore
Rub-a-Dub-Dub, Add Color to Your Tub
As for the glass block window, the finish carpenter cleanly framed it with white wainscoting and trim. “We created the top sill of the wainscoting deeper than usual so [the homeowners] could display some knickknacks,” McLean says.
Flooring: Narrow Douglas fir planks, installed in a herringbone pattern, match the wood floors in the hallway. This wood tone is seen throughout the design in both bathrooms.
Sink: Boulevard, American Standard; paint on custom wainscoting: Cloud White, Benjamin Moore
Rub-a-Dub-Dub, Add Color to Your Tub
Style: “The acacia mirror and walnut shelves add warmth and a place for [the homeowner] to add her personal touches of nature,” McLean says. “The ravens, rocks, wood and feathers are from [her] collection and are a theme throughout the house.”
The white Shaker wainscoting, pedestal sink and claw-foot tub make the room more traditional, but by adding graphic wallpaper and using black and white, the designers were able to give the room a retro twist.
Faucets: Riobel via Wolseley Kitchen & Bath Classics; mirror: CB2; sconce: Archie collection, Progress Lighting via Home Depot; wallpaper: Woods, Cole & Son
The white Shaker wainscoting, pedestal sink and claw-foot tub make the room more traditional, but by adding graphic wallpaper and using black and white, the designers were able to give the room a retro twist.
Faucets: Riobel via Wolseley Kitchen & Bath Classics; mirror: CB2; sconce: Archie collection, Progress Lighting via Home Depot; wallpaper: Woods, Cole & Son
Upper-Level Bathroom
The backstory: The upper-level bathroom is near the home’s two bedrooms and was originally connected to the master bedroom. Structural changes were made during the remodel to create a more functional space inside the room.
Sconce and ceiling light: Archie collection, Progress Lighting via Home Depot
The backstory: The upper-level bathroom is near the home’s two bedrooms and was originally connected to the master bedroom. Structural changes were made during the remodel to create a more functional space inside the room.
Sconce and ceiling light: Archie collection, Progress Lighting via Home Depot
Scope of work: The team filled in the second doorway, the one that led to the master bedroom. The homeowners felt that they could live without direct access, and the extra wall space allowed the team to work around the fact that the plumbing lines were staying put.
One of the plumbing fixture updates requested by the homeowners was a shower instead of a bathtub. Since this would be the primary bathroom for getting ready in the morning, a shower was more practical for them.
Before and After: 6 Bathrooms That Said Goodbye to the Tub
One of the plumbing fixture updates requested by the homeowners was a shower instead of a bathtub. Since this would be the primary bathroom for getting ready in the morning, a shower was more practical for them.
Before and After: 6 Bathrooms That Said Goodbye to the Tub
Design solution: Closing off the door to the master bedroom left an odd-shaped nook near the toilet, so McLean installed shelving to make the most of the space.
Floor tile: Hydraulic series in black, C&S Tile; paint on walls: Stonington Gray, Benjamin Moore
Floor tile: Hydraulic series in black, C&S Tile; paint on walls: Stonington Gray, Benjamin Moore
The built-in shelves store towels and display home decor.
Shower: Although plumbing lines could not be moved, the design team switched the positions of the shower and the vanity. By filling in the second doorway, the team had room to put in a shower with built-in shelves on one wall and a larger vanity on the other.
Shower floor tile: Daltile
Shower floor tile: Daltile
Style: The team was able to redesign two bathrooms simultaneously without making them identical. “The bathrooms definitely relate to each other, but each has its now personality,” McLean says.
For example, black mosaic shower floor tiles and white subway wall tiles echo the bold black-and-white wallpaper and bathtub in the main-level bathroom.
To refer back to the wood-toned accent color in the main-level bathroom, the design team finished the custom vanity and nook shelves with a walnut stain. Creating spaces that go together doesn’t mean that they need to match. Rather, it is about creating cohesion in style, color and shape.
“This may come in using the same floor tiles throughout but changing up the wall tiles, or using the same cabinetry [in both] but changing the floors. Or just using materials and finishes that complement each other without being the same,” McLean says. “Matching is boring!”
Vanity and shelves: Custom Craft Cabinets & Millwork; vanity countertop with backsplash: Pure White, Caesarstone; faucet: Riobel; vanity hardware: Duluth in chrome, Restoration Hardware
General contractor: Blake Williams of Hillview Renovations
Custom building: Custom Craft Cabinets & Millwork
Flooring: Kado Hardwood Floors
More
Homeowner’s Workbook: How to Remodel Your Bathroom
Check out the latest bathroom photos on Houzz
Find bathroom products
For example, black mosaic shower floor tiles and white subway wall tiles echo the bold black-and-white wallpaper and bathtub in the main-level bathroom.
To refer back to the wood-toned accent color in the main-level bathroom, the design team finished the custom vanity and nook shelves with a walnut stain. Creating spaces that go together doesn’t mean that they need to match. Rather, it is about creating cohesion in style, color and shape.
“This may come in using the same floor tiles throughout but changing up the wall tiles, or using the same cabinetry [in both] but changing the floors. Or just using materials and finishes that complement each other without being the same,” McLean says. “Matching is boring!”
Vanity and shelves: Custom Craft Cabinets & Millwork; vanity countertop with backsplash: Pure White, Caesarstone; faucet: Riobel; vanity hardware: Duluth in chrome, Restoration Hardware
General contractor: Blake Williams of Hillview Renovations
Custom building: Custom Craft Cabinets & Millwork
Flooring: Kado Hardwood Floors
More
Homeowner’s Workbook: How to Remodel Your Bathroom
Check out the latest bathroom photos on Houzz
Find bathroom products
Bathrooms at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Sizes: Main-level bathroom of 38 square feet (3.5 square meters), upper-level bathroom of 62¼ square feet (5.8 square meters)
Designers: Tanya McLean, owner and principal designer, and Nichole Skladan, junior designer, of mango design co
Main-Level Bathroom
The backstory: This bathroom services the common spaces in the house — the kitchen, living room, dining room and den. The space mostly serves as a powder room.