Bathroom of the Week: A Fresh Take on Traditional Style
A designer mixes modern elements with classic finishes to create a timeless primary bathroom
Mixing old and new was the goal in this Naperville, Illinois, home. M House Development completed both the design and the build of the new custom home in collaboration with the homeowners. “Our clients had great taste and loved classic, traditional style,” interior designer Elizabeth Mathieson says. “We pushed them to be a little more modern while layering in traditional elements. And they were totally up for going along on that ride.” The result in this primary bathroom is a fresh take on traditional style.
The mirror’s reflection gives a view of the room’s layout. The shower stall can be seen on the left, the door to the toilet room is in the center, and the mirror over the other vanity is on the right.
The vanities are the most traditional elements in the space. The white oak cabinetry is Shaker style, with satin brass hardware. “The recessed toe kick lends a traditional furniture-like feel,” Mathieson says.
The finish on the wood is called Ledge Rock. A honed Carrara marble countertop and backsplash bring a classic stone into the room. Beautiful brass-and-glass hurricane sconces flank the brass-framed mirror.
How to Choose a Bathroom Vanity
The vanities are the most traditional elements in the space. The white oak cabinetry is Shaker style, with satin brass hardware. “The recessed toe kick lends a traditional furniture-like feel,” Mathieson says.
The finish on the wood is called Ledge Rock. A honed Carrara marble countertop and backsplash bring a classic stone into the room. Beautiful brass-and-glass hurricane sconces flank the brass-framed mirror.
How to Choose a Bathroom Vanity
The second vanity has the same finishes but is smaller due to the door opening on the left. “With the two different-sized vanities, it was important to cut the custom mirrors over each vanity in a way that was proportionally similar,” Mathieson says. “The way the size of each mirror relates to the size of each vanity, and using the same spacing for the sconces flanking the mirrors, made the two vanities look uniform.”
The designer also mixed metals in the room. “We always try to use at least two different metal finishes because it adds so much depth. We vary where we do it depending on the room and the finishes,” Mathieson says. In this case, the satin brass finish on the custom mirrors was a perfect match for the sconces. Polished nickel on the faucets adds a contrasting classic touch. Mixing metals also helps a room avoid succumbing to passing trends. When just one trendy finish is used, it can make a room look dated if that finish falls out of favor.
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The designer also mixed metals in the room. “We always try to use at least two different metal finishes because it adds so much depth. We vary where we do it depending on the room and the finishes,” Mathieson says. In this case, the satin brass finish on the custom mirrors was a perfect match for the sconces. Polished nickel on the faucets adds a contrasting classic touch. Mixing metals also helps a room avoid succumbing to passing trends. When just one trendy finish is used, it can make a room look dated if that finish falls out of favor.
New to home remodeling? Click here to learn the basics
The large shower stall measures 6 feet by 3 feet, 7 inches. Mathieson used another large-format porcelain tile on the walls and ceiling. This one looks like the Carrara marble she used on the countertops. It’s a 12-by-24-inch tile, and she composed it in a staggered pattern. The large tiles minimize the number of grout lines, making the shower easier to clean.
The shower includes a bench, handheld wand and a generous niche with three sections. Mathieson used a plain white quartz on the niche shelves, bench seat and threshold so as not to distract from the stunning veining in the tiles. The shower floor tiles are 2-by-2-inch hexagonal tiles made of the same material as the shower wall tiles.
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The shower includes a bench, handheld wand and a generous niche with three sections. Mathieson used a plain white quartz on the niche shelves, bench seat and threshold so as not to distract from the stunning veining in the tiles. The shower floor tiles are 2-by-2-inch hexagonal tiles made of the same material as the shower wall tiles.
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Hire a bathroom remodeler
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Bathroom at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple
Location: Naperville, Illinois
Size: 186 square feet (17 square meters)
Designer: Elizabeth Mathieson of M House Development
Centered beneath two windows, the tub makes a statement that blends old and new. “Using a freestanding bathtub is traditional, but this one has a modern shape,” Matheison says. “We love this tub because while it has a very modern form, the curves inside it make it comfortable.” The globe light overhead adds another modern touch.
A big must-have on the homeowners’ list was heated flooring that would keep the room toasty during the long winters in northern Illinois. The flooring has a natural quartzite-inspired look but is a more practical digitally printed porcelain. The large-format tiles are 12 by 24 inches and are easy to clean. Their size and composition give an up-to-date touch to the room.
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