Considering Converting a Bathroom? – Part Two
This blog is part two of a series, read the earlier post here.
After our floor plan and wall elevations were reviewed and approved we worked on determining the surfaces for the project. The couple had a love for the classic look of Calcutta tile, but they weren’t wild about the upkeep of a natural stone. I hate to say it, but I agreed with them. Natural stone can create a good amount of maintenance to maintain in a shower. Damp, dark environments with a pervious surfaces generally are harder to maintain.
Fortunately, porcelain tiles have come a long way in our industry. Just a few years ago an interior designer worth his or her weight in gold could spot a reproduction natural stone a mile away. Today’s tile inkjet printing is almost invisible to the naked eye, and most pattern repeats today have several hundred square feet before a repeat. Porcelain requires almost no maintenance, just a cap full of Simple Green and warm water each time you clean will keep your shower looking pristine for years.
We selected a porcelain tile – mimicing a natural Calcutta look for the shower from a line at Oregon Tile and Marble. We decided to contrast the grout with a warm neutral. For the main master bathroom, we added a contrasting stripe of tile in the shower that matched the main flooring from s’Tile and selected a small rectangular bricklayed mosiac for the shower floor. We opted for authentic marble in areas that are easier to clean including the countertops – selected from a marble remnant from one of our partners. Our sweetheart of the surfaces (in my opinion) was a stacked, staggered natural Calcutta stone called Linergy that we used as a wainscoting in the powder bath.
Our paint color was really unexpected and that is exactly what I liked about it! I admit the couple had the idea of the warm, sombero yellow after seeing a bathroom at the Nines Hotel in downtown Portland. I loved it instantly. We just adjusted the yellow tones to coordinate with the gray and brown veining in the marble and porcelain surfaces.
In interior design and remodeling, aesthetics only work when the function is in place, so we spent some time adding some great jewels to this master suite that you won’t see in our photo gallery:
- We added radiant heating throughout. No need to worry about cold toes on rainy Oregon days.
- Our vanity top included a tower with an awning door, that once opened acted as an appliance garage, complete with electrical outlets for hairdryers, electric toothbrushes, etc.
- We added drawers to the bottom of the vanity cabinets for brushes, hand mirrors, and easily accessible towels.
- The project included energy efficient lighting, as well as dimmers, and a bathroom fan installed with a timer.
- We added an EBBE drain. One of my favorite finds! Just pull out the drain every couple of weeks with a key and voila! No more plugged drains from hair or residue build up. It is also sexy. The square shape is tres chic!
You will notice the attention to detail in the bathrooms fitting. We selected all of them from our friends at Fixture Gallery. To tie in the project, we updated the stair railing with a Stainless Steel cable railing system that fit the home’s simple modern lines.
Isn’t Steve Klingerman from T.H.E. Remodel Group fabulous? Nice work my friend.
What would you like to see in a master suite you create? We’d love to hear your feedback.
Angela Todd
Owner & Principal Designer
Angela is the principal designer at her boutique interior design firm in Portland, Oregon. She is known for creating memorable backdrops that tell the story of fascinating and intricate lives.
