One of my first Design Online consultations was for one of myVelvet and Linen readers, Cathy. At first Cathy sent me an e-mail just asking a couple of questions. I happily answered them and thought that was going to be the end. Fortunately, it wasn't. A few days later, Cathy asked if I was interested in helping her design her small bathroom. I told her that I'd love to, and we were on our way.
When Cathy said that her daughter's bathroom was small, she wasn't kidding. At 67"x43" it was just big enough for a shower, sink, and toilet. Cathy sent me this sketch, which was very helpful.
Between the sketch and the BEFORE pictures below, I was able to get a pretty complete image of Cathy's bathroom.
Cathy's home was built in the 1950's. She wanted to replace the sink and toilet. She also wanted to update the tile. She preferred a neutral palette.
The shower would be completely redone as well. We would need to select a new shower door too.
There was a little window on the wall beside the toilet. Cathy was thinking that a white linen shade would work well. I definitely liked that idea.
She also wanted to get rid of the unattractive medicine cabinet that was across from the toilet.
Cathy sent me a list of the items she wanted me to select as well as her inspiration: She liked neutral colors. She described her taste as Traditional to Eclectic. She loved the bathrooms that we designed in our own home and for our clients.
After receiving all of Cathy's information, I talked to Steve about my ideas and asked him to do a quick drawing. His drawings are a wonderful way for our clients to get a clear picture of our design.
In an e-mail, I explained to Cathy that the key was to make a couple of changes that would cause her bathroom to feel bigger. Opening up the wall of the shower would make a world of difference. I also suggested adding a tile wainscot that would wrap around the room and continue into the shower.
I gave Cathy two tile options: She could do a 3"x6" white tile wainscot with a 6"x6" colored tile above in the shower. I suggested that she select a paint color that would match the color of the tile in the shower Another option would be to do a wainscot of 3"x6" Carrera marble tile with 6"x6" white tiles above. If she chose this option, then the walls should be painted white to match the white tiles in the shower.
I also sent Cathy images of all the pieces to purchase:
The St. Thomas Richmond Jr. Pedestal Sink. It was 24" wide, which would fit nicely in her bathroom.
The matching St. Thomas Richmond Elongated Toilet.
I also recommended the Newport Brass 930 Series and a matching Newport Brass shower set with a Speakman shower head.
For the bathroom accessories, I recommended the Restoration Hardware "Chatham Collection", and the Cartwright Inset Medicine Cabinet.
For the light fixture, I thought that the Alexandria light from Schoolhouse Electric in nickel would be a timeless option.
I liked this classic School House shade.
Cathy was thrilled with the design and began construction on her new bath last June. During the construction, Cathy sent me e-mails asking for clarifications and help answering her contractor's questions. I could tell by the questions that he was asking that the bathroom was going to look great. Then one day the questions stopped. A couple of weeks later Cathy sent me pictures of her completed bathroom. I think I was as thrilled as she was.
BEFORE:
I thought I would remind you of what Cathy's little bathroom looked like....
After:
Isn't it pretty! The wainscot is 42" tall so it works as a backsplash for the sink. The Cartwright Medicine Cabinet is a nice size above the 24" sink and provides Cathy's daughter some storage. Cathy is still looking for a painting to put above the toilet.
Another BEFORE picture:
AFTER:
The white linen shade looks perfect on the window. I love how the Chatham toilet paper holder and towel bar look under the window. The nickel finish adds sparkle and compliments the Carerra marble nicely.
The shower BEFORE
AFTER:
We chose a frameless glass shower door which really opened everything up and made the room feel twice as big. The white tile matches the white paint on the walls.
Cathy chose a 2"x2" Carerra tile for the shower to make sure her daughter wouldn't slip. A larger 4"x4" Carerra tile was used on the bathroom floor. Because the room is so small we decided not to use any border around the tile.
The new Schoolhouse light fixture was now in place.
Cathy is now starting construction on her Master Bathroom, with a little help from Giannetti Home: Design Online!
xo
Brooke
