A Tale of Two Bathrooms: Welcome to a Recent Remodel
When it comes to bathroom remodels, no two projects are the same. Each one comes with its own quirks and opportunities to create something truly special. This recent transformation of a master and guest bathroom for a client is one of those projects that just makes you smile when you see the results.
Master Bathroom: Overcoming Second-Floor Constraints
The master bathroom presented a unique challenge. Being on the second floor, the floor joists dictated how much we could move the plumbing—and let’s just say, they weren’t very flexible! The original tub was elevated to accommodate the plumbing, but that setup wasn’t going to cut it for long-term usability. We wanted something sleek, modern, and more friendly towards aging in place. After some careful planning, we made a freestanding tub work beautifully, all while respecting the existing drain and plumbing locations. By meticulously designing around these constraints, we achieved a space that is functional, stylish, and ready for years of use.
Another significant improvement was the shower. We expanded it by reclaiming space from a closet behind the original shower. This closet, which housed a water heater in an inconvenient location, was no longer needed after we upgraded to a space-saving tankless water heater. The extra square footage allowed us to create a luxurious, roomy shower. We even added walls to carve out a private toilet room, giving the bathroom a polished and practical layout.
Storage was key here, too. With the plumbing staying put, we maximized the remaining space by adding a corner tower for storage and sneaking in as many drawers as we could. The result? A master bathroom that’s as functional as it is fabulous.
Guest Bathroom: Small Space, Big Style
The guest bathroom was our chance to have a little fun with design. Even though it’s a smaller space, we packed it with personality. To brighten things up, we installed an LED medicine cabinet mirror paired with vanity lights. Not only does it add a warm glow, but it also brings a bit of elegance to the room.
For the floors, we chose a patterned tile that brings just the right amount of flair. It’s playful without being overpowering, and it pairs perfectly with the cabinetry—which, by the way, matches like they were meant to be together.
The tub surround might just be our favorite part. We went with a gorgeous dupe of Zellige hand-glazed tile called Soho Myorka Cream. It’s got that artisanal vibe but at a fraction of the cost, and it’s absolutely stunning. Honestly, it’s one of my current go-to tiles—it’s just that good.
The Final Look
This project was all about making the most of what we had to work with while infusing each space with style and functionality. The master bathroom is now a spa-like retreat designed for long-term comfort, while the guest bathroom exudes charm and personality in a compact package. Both spaces showcase how thoughtful design can turn even the trickiest setups into something truly special.
Let me know what your thoughts are! Comment below!
Comments (15)
PRO7 months agoKristen Oldfield Design thanked OTM Designs & Remodeling Inc.- PRO7 months ago
- PRO6 months ago
- PRO6 months ago
5 months ago- PRO5 months ago
5 months ago
5 months ago- PRO5 months ago
In this case again we could not move the plumbing left to right in the room because of the ceiling joists. This is a second story master bedroom and bathroom and per code, we could not cut through joists to relocate the plumbing. With a small footprint and the restriction on only being able to place the drain and faucet front to back within the joist where it originally fell, this was the best location for the floor mount faucet for several reasons. When you use a tub that is rounded or oval it creates great little corners to place the faucet and it not be in the walkway. When you go with a rectangle tub you do not have these great little corners available. I frequently have clients say "why would I spend this much money on this beautiful floor mount faucet and then hide it behind the tub?" You also have to push the tub at least 6 inches off the wall to fit a floor mount faucet behind it and in this case we did not have the 6 inches.
This photo might portray the space better. The one pic of the entire room the tub looks a little distorted compared to what it looks like in person. That was just the photographer editing the image a bit to show more in one pic. Notice in this photo the drain and faucet are within the same space we had to work with between joists.
- 5 months ago
PRO4 months ago- 4 months ago
RedRyder