A fiberglass shower surround where the shower head was painfully low for a homeowner that is 6’2”, (covered in years of calcium deposits) sat next to a tired vinyl floor, an never-used oversized jetted tub, and a double vanity with dated red oak cabinetry. The bathroom was tired.

The homeowners plan to remain in the home indefinitely and wanted a bathroom that met their wants and needs.
Goals included:
- A rustic contemporary aesthetic; a careful blend of crisp yet slightly unfitted.
- A walk-in shower-with limited glass
- Materials that are easy to maintain, including the grout
- A single vanity-they had very little storage needs and wanted to dedicate more room to the shower
- An appropriate sized soaking tub-no need to waste water or float away
- Replacing old windows that had failed
- Managing moisture/mold
Solutions included:
- The fixtures were all relocated to create a retreat with privacy while showering, relaxation while bathing, and a single vanity wide enough for two to use comfortably.
- The vanity features drawer-in-drawer storage to provide clean lines on the front face while giving good access for all of their small items stored inside.
- Rustic reclaimed wall paneling was installed at the vanity and two walls surrounding the smaller free-standing tub. Cedar was selected for its natural resistance to moisture.
- The new windows feature satin etched glass on the lower half only; providing privacy while maintaining the view out their second story windows. The rustic wood combined with the view out to their property gives the feeling of being in a tree house.
- The porcelain tile selected for the floor and shower walls is a light, warm, sandy color and includes epoxy grout-sealing is not required-providing lower maintenance and better protection against hard water.
- The finish on the plumbing fixtures is gunmetal, a rich deep grey with underlying gold tones-a beautiful contrast to the rustic wood and light color in the tile, quartz countertop and engineered veneer oak cabinetry.
- Small rustic details in the room include wrought iron cabinet pulls and towel hooks, including a ‘gate latch’ at the toilet room cabinet.
- The exhaust fan that was chosen has a humidity sensing module-it will turn on-and stay on-until the moisture in the room is below a certain level-improving indoor air quality.
- Heated flooring in the bathroom and shower is a benefit for many reasons-an ambient heat source for the room (especially with an open-air shower) as well as drying out the shower pan-reducing mold and mildew.