Calacatta marble floor tile was installed in a diamond pattern in the hall bathroom and a coordinating basketweave mosaic was used in the large walk-in shower. We opted to use classic white subway tile on the shower walls and the fixed frameless glass enclosure keeps the space feeling light and airy. Relocating the shower controls to the side wall ensures that the water can be turned on without getting wet.

Nantucket Architectural Photography
Example of a large beach style master white tile and ceramic tile light wood floor bathroom design in Boston with white cabinets, granite countertops, white walls, an undermount sink and flat-panel cabinets

This project was a joy to work on, as we married our firm’s modern design aesthetic with the client’s more traditional and rustic taste. We gave new life to all three bathrooms in her home, making better use of the space in the powder bathroom, optimizing the layout for a brother & sister to share a hall bath, and updating the primary bathroom with a large curbless walk-in shower and luxurious clawfoot tub. Though each bathroom has its own personality, we kept the palette cohesive throughout all three.

An Arts & Crafts Bungalow is one of my favorite styles of homes. We have quite a few of them in our Stockton Mid-Town area. And when C&L called us to help them remodel their 1923 American Bungalow, I was beyond thrilled. As per usual, when we get a new inquiry, we quickly Google the project location while we are talking to you on the phone. My excitement escalated when I saw the Google Earth Image of the sweet Sage Green bungalow in Mid-Town Stockton. "Yes, we would be interested in working with you," I said trying to keep my cool. But what made it even better was meeting C&L and touring their home, because they are the nicest young couple, eager to make their home period perfect. Unfortunately, it had been slightly molested by some bad house-flippers, and we needed to bring the bathroom back to it "roots." We knew we had to banish the hideous brown tile and cheap vanity quickly. But C&L complained about the condensation problems and the constant fight with mold. This immediately told me that improper remodeling had occurred and we needed to remedy that right away. The Before: Frustrations with a Botched Remodel The bathroom needed to be brought back to period appropriate design with all the functionality of a modern bathroom. We thought of things like marble countertop, white mosaic floor tiles, white subway tile, board and batten molding, and of course a fabulous wallpaper. This small (and only) bathroom on a tight budget required a little bit of design sleuthing to figure out how we could get the proper look and feel. Our goal was to determine where to splurge and where to economize and how to complete the remodel as quickly as possible because C&L would have to move out while construction was going on. The Process: Hard Work to Remedy Design and Function During our initial design study, (which included 2 hours in the owners’ home), we noticed framed images of William Morris Arts and Crafts textile patterns and knew this would be our design inspiration. We presented C&L with three options and they quickly selected the Pimpernel Design Concept. We had originally selected the Black and Olive colors with a black vanity, mirror, and black and white floor tile. C&L liked it but weren’t quite sure about the black, We went back to the drawing board and decided the William & Co Pimpernel Wallpaper in Bayleaf and Manilla color with a softer gray painted vanity and mirror and white floor tile was more to their liking. After the Design Concept was approved, we went to work securing the building permit, procuring all the elements, and scheduling our trusted tradesmen to perform the work. We did uncover some shoddy work by the flippers such as live electrical wires hidden behind the wall, plumbing venting cut-off and buried in the walls (hence the constant dampness), the tub barely balancing on two fence boards across the floor joist, and no insulation on the exterior wall. All of the previous blunders were fixed and the bathroom put back to its previous glory. We could feel the house thanking us for making it pretty again. The After Reveal: Cohesive Design Decisions We selected a simple white subway tile for the tub/shower. This is always classic and in keeping with the style of the house. We selected a pre-fab vanity and mirror, but they look rich with the quartz countertop. There is much more storage in this small vanity than you would think. The Transformation: A Period Perfect Refresh We began the remodel just as the pandemic reared and stay-in-place orders went into effect. As C&L were already moved out and living with relatives, we got the go-ahead from city officials to get the work done (after all, how can you shelter in place without a bathroom?). All our tradesmen were scheduled to work so that only one crew was on the job site at a time. We stayed on the original schedule with only a one week delay. The end result is the sweetest little bathroom I've ever seen (and I can't wait to start work on C&L's kitchen next). Thank you for joining me in this project transformation. I hope this inspired you to think about being creative with your design projects, determining what works best in keeping with the architecture of your space, and carefully assessing how you can have the best life in your home.

This existing sleeping porch was reworked into a stunning Mid Century bathroom complete with geometric shapes that add interest and texture. Rich woods add warmth to the black and white tiles. Wood tile was installed on the shower walls and pick up on the wood vanity and Asian-inspired custom built armoire.

VISION AND NEEDS: Our client came to us with a vision for their family dream house that offered adequate space and a lot of character. They were drawn to the traditional form and contemporary feel of a Modern Farmhouse. MCHUGH SOLUTION: In showing multiple options at the schematic stage, the client approved a traditional L shaped porch with simple barn-like columns. The entry foyer is simple in it's two-story volume and it's mono-chromatic (white & black) finishes. The living space which includes a kitchen & dining area - is an open floor plan, allowing natural light to fill the space.

Bathroom - mid-sized contemporary master green tile and ceramic tile slate floor, double-sink, exposed beam, vaulted ceiling and black floor bathroom idea in Chicago with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, an integrated sink, solid surface countertops, white countertops and a floating vanity

This small bathroom previously had a 3/4 shower. The bath was reconfigured to include a tub/shower combination. The square arch over the tub conceals a shower curtain rod. Carrara stone vanity top and tub deck along with the mosaic floor and subway tile give timeless polished and elegance to this small space. photo by Holly Lepere

The guest bath in this project was a simple black and white design with beveled subway tile and ceramic patterned tile on the floor. Bringing the tile up the wall and to the ceiling in the shower adds depth and luxury to this small bathroom. The farmhouse sink with raw pine vanity cabinet give a rustic vibe; the perfect amount of natural texture in this otherwise tile and glass space. Perfect for guests!

Modern Bathroom
Small trendy 3/4 brown tile and ceramic tile mosaic tile floor and brown floor bathroom photo in Los Angeles with light wood cabinets, a one-piece toilet, brown walls, a drop-in sink, quartzite countertops and white countertops

The shower includes dual shower areas, four body spray tiles (two on each side) and a large glass surround keeping the uncluttered theme for the room while still offering privacy with an etched “belly band” around the perimeter. The etching is only on the outside of the glass with the inside being kept smooth for cleaning purposes. The end result is a bathroom that is luxurious and light, with nothing extraneous to distract the eye. The peaceful and quiet ambiance that the room exudes hit exactly the mark that the clients were looking for.

Leonard Ortiz
Example of a beach style 3/4 black and white tile and ceramic tile mosaic tile floor and multicolored floor alcove shower design in Orange County with white walls, recessed-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, an undermount sink, tile countertops and a hinged shower door

This ensuite girl’s bathroom doubles as a family room guest bath. Our focus was to create an environment that was somewhat feminine but yet very neutral. The unlacquered brass finishes combined with lava rock flooring and neutral color palette creates a durable yet elegant atmosphere to this compromise.

This master bath was expanded and transformed into a light, spa-like sanctuary for its owners. Vanity, mirror frame and wall cabinets: Studio Dearborn. Faucet and hardware: Waterworks. Drawer pulls: Emtek. Marble: Calcatta gold. Window shades: horizonshades.com. Photography, Adam Kane Macchia.

The homeowner went retro fabulous with classic Black and White throughout - subway tile on the walls and hexagon mosaic on the floor - and a gorgeous console sink.

Olive ash veneer vanity cabinet floats above the grey tile floor, complementing a green tiled shower. photography by adam rouse
Inspiration for a small mid-century modern master green tile and ceramic tile porcelain tile alcove shower remodel in San Francisco with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, solid surface countertops and a one-piece toilet

What was once a dark, unwelcoming alcove is now a bright, luxurious haven. The over-sized soaker fills this extra large space and is complimented with 3 x 12 subway tiles. The contrasting grout color speaks to the black fixtures and accents throughout the room. We love the custom-sized niches that perfectly hold the client's "jellies and jams."

Alcove shower - mid-sized 1950s 3/4 gray tile and ceramic tile porcelain tile alcove shower idea in San Francisco with medium tone wood cabinets, a two-piece toilet, gray walls, an undermount sink, quartz countertops and flat-panel cabinets

Inspiration for a large transitional master gray tile and ceramic tile porcelain tile and gray floor bathroom remodel in Atlanta with gray walls, a hinged shower door, gray cabinets, a two-piece toilet, an undermount sink and quartz countertops