Bathroom Design
Narrow 53-Square-Foot Bathroom Goes Glam
A New York designer works with landmark preservation restrictions to create a luxe bath
Remodeling a 4-foot-7-inch-wide bathroom would be enough of a challenge. But for this remodel, interior designer Joe Human also had to work around building and structural restrictions. The bath was a part of a one-bedroom apartment in Brooklyn Heights, a historic neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. Even with those obstacles, Human and the apartment dweller were up for the challenge of creating a modern, glam space that felt authentic to the building.
After. Once Human received approval for the project, he had the space taken down to the masonry walls and concrete floors. Then, he dropped the ceiling down 2½ inches, and had recessed lighting and a recessed shower curtain track installed.
At first, the owner was not convinced that dropping the ceiling farther was a good idea in this small area. However, Human explained that adding more light and leveling the ceiling would actually make the small room feel bigger. When the client saw the results, she understood what Human meant.
Shapes. You may notice that this room is full of right angles, from the floor tile to the bathtub to the vanity. This was intentional. “Our hashtag/motto in our office is #detailsmatter, and this is one of those background details that really pushes the space from an everyday bathroom to a designer bathroom,” Human says.
He used square-edged marble on the vanity countertop and bathtub surround, and outlined the floor tiles in black marble. These details, Human says, while simple, help make the overall design elegant.
Splurge. Because the room was small, Human could splurge on more expensive floor tile. He searched for the right statement piece and finally found this design. The tile is made from two types of marble strips that create a tight basket-weave pattern. “Something unique was a must,” he says.
Floor tiles: Jet Black basketweave, Thassos, Ann Sacks; baseboard and wall trim: box liner, Nero Marquina marble, Ann Sacks
At first, the owner was not convinced that dropping the ceiling farther was a good idea in this small area. However, Human explained that adding more light and leveling the ceiling would actually make the small room feel bigger. When the client saw the results, she understood what Human meant.
Shapes. You may notice that this room is full of right angles, from the floor tile to the bathtub to the vanity. This was intentional. “Our hashtag/motto in our office is #detailsmatter, and this is one of those background details that really pushes the space from an everyday bathroom to a designer bathroom,” Human says.
He used square-edged marble on the vanity countertop and bathtub surround, and outlined the floor tiles in black marble. These details, Human says, while simple, help make the overall design elegant.
Splurge. Because the room was small, Human could splurge on more expensive floor tile. He searched for the right statement piece and finally found this design. The tile is made from two types of marble strips that create a tight basket-weave pattern. “Something unique was a must,” he says.
Floor tiles: Jet Black basketweave, Thassos, Ann Sacks; baseboard and wall trim: box liner, Nero Marquina marble, Ann Sacks
Shower. When the room was gutted, Human got the go-ahead to improve the plumbing. Originally, the faucets were off-centered on the wall along the long side of the tub and at an awkward height, both functionally and aesthetically.
Now, the plumbing runs up the back wall and the shower has all-new fixtures. This look required many permits, fees and approvals from the city and the building’s board.
Now, the plumbing runs up the back wall and the shower has all-new fixtures. This look required many permits, fees and approvals from the city and the building’s board.
Fixture style. While brass is trendy right now, Human chose it in its natural finish, without lacquer, to fulfill the room’s sophisticated 1920s theme. “In this case, we chose it not to be trendy but to make a simple statement,” he says, “and also put back what might have been in the apartment originally.”
Subway tile. Human chose white subway tile with white grout for the shower walls. The clean white walls work best here, he says, because they add sophistication without detracting from the bold floor tile. He considered dark grout but decided it was too trendy and too rustic for this New York apartment.
Plumbing fixtures: unlacquered brass, Waterworks; wall tiles: 4-by-12-inch white subway tiles
Browse brass tub and shower faucets
Subway tile. Human chose white subway tile with white grout for the shower walls. The clean white walls work best here, he says, because they add sophistication without detracting from the bold floor tile. He considered dark grout but decided it was too trendy and too rustic for this New York apartment.
Plumbing fixtures: unlacquered brass, Waterworks; wall tiles: 4-by-12-inch white subway tiles
Browse brass tub and shower faucets
Marble countertop. Because the position of the toilet, bathtub and sink could not change, Human had to consider how those elements — and the materials they were made from — would interact. For example, Human was worried that water from the shower would get on the vanity, shown here at the end of the tub.
He decided to install custom wood vanity cabinets that were sprayed with a matte lacquer finish. To further protect the vanity, Human topped the cabinets with a marble slab and added a waterfall edge. He then finished off the look by installing marble on the bathtub surround.
Vanity countertop: 2-centimeter Carrara marble slab; vanity cabinet: custom; vanity hardware: vintage brass pulls; sconce: brass, Davis Double Sconce, Schoolhouse Electric & Supply Co.; browse brass bathroom lighting
He decided to install custom wood vanity cabinets that were sprayed with a matte lacquer finish. To further protect the vanity, Human topped the cabinets with a marble slab and added a waterfall edge. He then finished off the look by installing marble on the bathtub surround.
Vanity countertop: 2-centimeter Carrara marble slab; vanity cabinet: custom; vanity hardware: vintage brass pulls; sconce: brass, Davis Double Sconce, Schoolhouse Electric & Supply Co.; browse brass bathroom lighting
Bathroom entry (before). Human looked for ways to maximize space. Although he could not push out the bathroom walls, he did find a small underutilized closet outside the bathroom door. But the wall between the closet and bathroom had to stay in place. It houses electrical and plumbing risers for apartments above and below his client’s space.
Bathroom entry (after). The closet area is now part of the bathroom, serving as its entry point. The closet itself is now a makeup vanity where Human’s client can sit and get ready for the day. He put in custom cabinets and a marble-topped vanity.
Stool. The stool at the make-up vanity is a nice touch of glam and luxury. It also sparked a joke between the homeowner and her friends: They say it resembles the client’s 7-year-old Bichon Frise, Lili.
Stool: West Elm
Stool. The stool at the make-up vanity is a nice touch of glam and luxury. It also sparked a joke between the homeowner and her friends: They say it resembles the client’s 7-year-old Bichon Frise, Lili.
Stool: West Elm
Glam details. Human accomplished an elegant look in the bathroom by incorporating small elements such as the brass hardware seen here. Human found these vintage semicircle drawer pulls and put them together in a circle on the vanities’ drawers for added drama.
Find brass hardware
Small-space advice. When renovating a small apartment, especially in a city like New York, Human recommends you start the design process by considering the building codes and regulations. Then, you’ll know from the beginning what you can and cannot change.
For example, the toilet in this bathroom could not be moved. Typically, Human would avoid a layout where you see the toilet when you first walk in, but in this case, he couldn’t avoid it. So instead of trying to force a toilet move, he worked to tone down the fixture and amp up the room’s beauty in other areas. “Now when you walk in, you really don’t notice the toilet as a focal point,” he says. “You notice all the subtle details and the beautiful tile work.”
Contractor: Rafal Gruszka of Empire Restoration and Management
More
Before and After: 9 Small-Bathroom Transformations That Wow
Browse small-bathroom photos
Find brass hardware
Small-space advice. When renovating a small apartment, especially in a city like New York, Human recommends you start the design process by considering the building codes and regulations. Then, you’ll know from the beginning what you can and cannot change.
For example, the toilet in this bathroom could not be moved. Typically, Human would avoid a layout where you see the toilet when you first walk in, but in this case, he couldn’t avoid it. So instead of trying to force a toilet move, he worked to tone down the fixture and amp up the room’s beauty in other areas. “Now when you walk in, you really don’t notice the toilet as a focal point,” he says. “You notice all the subtle details and the beautiful tile work.”
Contractor: Rafal Gruszka of Empire Restoration and Management
More
Before and After: 9 Small-Bathroom Transformations That Wow
Browse small-bathroom photos
Bathroom at a Glance
Who lives here: A marketing professional and her dog
Location: Brooklyn Heights neighborhood of New York City
Size: 53 square feet (5.3 square meters)
Designer: Joe Human, owner of designs by human
Before. The room needed an update, and Human’s client wanted to get more function out of the narrow space.
Challenges. Human had two big challenges for this renovation. First, the space could not be expanded because there is another apartment to the left, and the back and right sides are against exterior walls. Second, New York City restricts how residents of this landmarked building move the plumbing and structures within the apartments. Before any design changes could be made, Human had to submit a set of detailed drawings to the building’s co-op board and architect for approval.