Bathroom of the Week: Bright and Lively With Vintage Details
Vibrant wallpaper, a 12-foot custom blue vanity and bold black elements bring pop and personality to a once-dated space
A North Carolina couple with two sons knew they disliked most elements in their primary en suite bathroom. They just didn’t know what to do about them. Looking to maximize storage, increase function, improve privacy and infuse new style into the space, they turned to designer Misty Molloy for help. She questioned the couple extensively to tease out how they would prefer to use the space and what colors and details would reflect their personalities.
Molloy removed a cluttered and inefficient linen closet and a bulky built-in tub to create a more streamlined layout with lots of breathing room. A new 12-foot custom vanity spans one side of the room and includes two storage towers. Blue paint adds a punch of color that complements the bright and lively botanical wallpaper wrapping the room. A new low-curb shower has a pony wall that creates some privacy. Blue polished wall tiles in the shower coordinate with the vanity and wallpaper. And a black-bottom cast-iron claw-foot tub and black-and-white basketweave floor tiles add bold vintage touches.
Molloy removed a cluttered and inefficient linen closet and a bulky built-in tub to create a more streamlined layout with lots of breathing room. A new 12-foot custom vanity spans one side of the room and includes two storage towers. Blue paint adds a punch of color that complements the bright and lively botanical wallpaper wrapping the room. A new low-curb shower has a pony wall that creates some privacy. Blue polished wall tiles in the shower coordinate with the vanity and wallpaper. And a black-bottom cast-iron claw-foot tub and black-and-white basketweave floor tiles add bold vintage touches.
After: Molloy removed the built-in tub and reworked the corner shower. A pony wall provides the privacy the homeowners wanted, while a fixed, frameless glass partition above it and a frameless glass door keep things light and airy. “The other nice thing about building that pony wall and making it a bit higher was that we were able to include a built-in shower niche on the inside of that wall,” Molloy says. “We put it higher so it’s easy for them to access the products while showering.”
On the other side of the pony wall is a Samsung Frame TV positioned for anyone lounging in the black-bottom claw-foot tub. The tub color complements the matte black tub filler and black details in the porcelain basketweave floor tile. “I wanted the floor to have a very vintage feel to tie into the bathtub,” Molloy says. “I didn’t want a large-format tile, because I wanted something with a smaller pattern to balance out the wallpaper. The smoky gray grout is also better at hiding dirt. They have two big dogs and two boys, so there’s a lot of action going on. We selected very durable materials.”
Inside the shower, 4-by-8-inch polished blue ceramic wall tiles create a serene atmosphere and coordinate with the blue in the vibrant wallpaper that wraps the room. The shower floor has 2-by-2-inch matte black hexagonal tiles that help prevent slipping.
Shower wall tiles: Vector collection in Azul Blue, 4 by 8 inches, TileBar; tub filler: Stryke, Delta
On the other side of the pony wall is a Samsung Frame TV positioned for anyone lounging in the black-bottom claw-foot tub. The tub color complements the matte black tub filler and black details in the porcelain basketweave floor tile. “I wanted the floor to have a very vintage feel to tie into the bathtub,” Molloy says. “I didn’t want a large-format tile, because I wanted something with a smaller pattern to balance out the wallpaper. The smoky gray grout is also better at hiding dirt. They have two big dogs and two boys, so there’s a lot of action going on. We selected very durable materials.”
Inside the shower, 4-by-8-inch polished blue ceramic wall tiles create a serene atmosphere and coordinate with the blue in the vibrant wallpaper that wraps the room. The shower floor has 2-by-2-inch matte black hexagonal tiles that help prevent slipping.
Shower wall tiles: Vector collection in Azul Blue, 4 by 8 inches, TileBar; tub filler: Stryke, Delta
The shower has a pressure-balanced system with thermostatic valve, fixed shower head, integrated diverter and a multifunction hand shower, all in matte black. “We also specifically designed it so they can wash their dogs,” Molloy says. “We had to make sure the placement of the hand shower was long enough so she could actually wash the dogs. And they can also walk into this shower and turn the water on without getting wet. Before, where it was placed, you were getting wet no matter what.”
A pair of waterproof and rustproof matte black suction cup towel hooks are affixed inside the shower on the right. “If you need to move them around and not make holes in your tile, you can do that,” Molloy says. “In this case, they’re far away enough from the shower head that they don’t get wet.”
8 Trends for New Kitchen and Bath Fixtures in 2025
A pair of waterproof and rustproof matte black suction cup towel hooks are affixed inside the shower on the right. “If you need to move them around and not make holes in your tile, you can do that,” Molloy says. “In this case, they’re far away enough from the shower head that they don’t get wet.”
8 Trends for New Kitchen and Bath Fixtures in 2025
Before: This photo of the former bathroom shows a linen closet awkwardly situated to the left of the built-in tub. “It was a dark hole,” Molloy says. “The hardest part was that the walls were angled. The angled walls just made it less useful. They also had a bifold door there at one time, but it kept breaking and they just took it off.”
After: With the built-in tub and linen closet gone, Molloy streamlined the space to create more breathing room with the claw-foot tub and wall-to-wall vanity. “I wanted the window to be the primary focal point from the primary bedroom, so we wanted something oversized to make that happen,” she says. “The husband is also 6 feet, 4 inches tall. He likes to take a bath on occasion, so we went with this large tub.” The chandelier has six layers of rattan that create a unique wave-like shape and add texture.
See why you should hire a professional who uses Houzz Pro software
See why you should hire a professional who uses Houzz Pro software
Before: Here’s a look at the former lackluster vanity area, which had limited storage and counter space. “It was pretty, but one of her biggest complaints was she had a hard time doing her hair because she didn’t have room,” Molloy says. A wall on the right separating the linen closet and a soffit made the vanity area feel tight.
4 Rookie Bathroom Remodeling Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
4 Rookie Bathroom Remodeling Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
After: Removing the linen closet and soffit allowed Molloy to create the 12-foot custom double vanity. Two cabinet towers flank the sinks, boosting storage and making up for the lost closet. “We added in-drawer electrical outlets so she could do her hair,” Molloy says.
The French blue complements the nonwoven, washable blue wallpaper with its vibrant botanical print. “She had a really unique request where she wanted black and blue,” Molloy says. “She wanted this space to feel feminine and fabulous. The wallpaper helped to meet that goal and also tie everything together. It’s also a really big room, and having that oversized print helps it feel cozier.” The mirror reflection on the left shows a peek at the door to the updated water closet.
Wallpaper: Pasadena in navy, Eden collection, Thibaut
Shop for bathroom vanities on Houzz
The French blue complements the nonwoven, washable blue wallpaper with its vibrant botanical print. “She had a really unique request where she wanted black and blue,” Molloy says. “She wanted this space to feel feminine and fabulous. The wallpaper helped to meet that goal and also tie everything together. It’s also a really big room, and having that oversized print helps it feel cozier.” The mirror reflection on the left shows a peek at the door to the updated water closet.
Wallpaper: Pasadena in navy, Eden collection, Thibaut
Shop for bathroom vanities on Houzz
The double vanity includes two 21-inch white rectangular vitreous china undermount sinks with matte black widespread faucets. Black Pearl granite in a leathered finish forms the countertop and backsplash. “One of the nice things about that leathered look is that you tend to get less water spots,” Molloy says. “We also wanted something black to tie together all the black elements in the space. The leathered finish helps elevate it without having to spend a lot of money.”
The mirrors feature natural abaca fiber frames. “I wanted to add texture but also warmth,” Molloy says. “There’s so much black and white, I needed something to warm up the space.” A single linear three-globe vanity sconce has a durable satin powder-coated black finish. “There was not a ton of space to put the sconce anywhere else and I didn’t want to limit the size of the mirrors,” Molloy says. “I just used one bigger light to make sure they had enough light there.” The bathroom also includes new LED recessed ceiling lights on dimmers, which were digitally removed from these photos by the photographer to help highlight other design details.
12 Custom Storage Solutions for a Clutter-Free Bathroom
The mirrors feature natural abaca fiber frames. “I wanted to add texture but also warmth,” Molloy says. “There’s so much black and white, I needed something to warm up the space.” A single linear three-globe vanity sconce has a durable satin powder-coated black finish. “There was not a ton of space to put the sconce anywhere else and I didn’t want to limit the size of the mirrors,” Molloy says. “I just used one bigger light to make sure they had enough light there.” The bathroom also includes new LED recessed ceiling lights on dimmers, which were digitally removed from these photos by the photographer to help highlight other design details.
12 Custom Storage Solutions for a Clutter-Free Bathroom
Before: Here’s a look inside the former water closet. “It was like a plain box, there was nothing happening in there,” Molloy says. “It wasn’t special.”
After: A washable wallpaper with a pink fretwork pattern dresses up the water closet walls. “This was a specific request from the homeowner,” Molloy says. “She wanted pink somewhere. I wanted to tie in with the pink in the main bathroom wallpaper. I also wanted the geometric pattern to counterbalance the floral wallpaper. The water closet is such a fun place to add a surprise.”
Abstract art encased in acrylic for durability and with a walnut frame decorates the water closet wall. A new white frame around the window adds a touch of character. “We chose a plantation shutter that opens from both the bottom and the top so they can keep the bottom closed for privacy but keep the top open for light,” Molloy says. “It’s faux wood and easy to clean and doesn’t take up a lot of space.” She also updated the toilet to an elongated model that sits higher to accommodate the tall husband.
Wallpaper: Fretwork in pink, Eden collection, Thibaut
New to home remodeling? Learn the basics
Abstract art encased in acrylic for durability and with a walnut frame decorates the water closet wall. A new white frame around the window adds a touch of character. “We chose a plantation shutter that opens from both the bottom and the top so they can keep the bottom closed for privacy but keep the top open for light,” Molloy says. “It’s faux wood and easy to clean and doesn’t take up a lot of space.” She also updated the toilet to an elongated model that sits higher to accommodate the tall husband.
Wallpaper: Fretwork in pink, Eden collection, Thibaut
New to home remodeling? Learn the basics
Custom arched double doors leading to the bathroom from the bedroom echo the arched window and give the bathroom more privacy. “There was an existing arched cased opening that was already there,” Molloy says. “So we wanted to keep that. We added the doors and were able to create this beautiful moment. We intentionally didn’t put window treatments on that window because they live in a wooded area. But there is a pull-down blind there that you can’t really see. It’s there if they need it.”
This view offers a stunning assemblage of the focal point window, dramatic tub, rattan chandelier, energetic wallpaper and basketweave floor tile. “I’m most proud of how all these elements came together,” Molloy says. “I love to play with pattern and color and layer those things together so the space doesn’t feel like you would find it elsewhere.”
More on Houzz
Read more bathroom stories
Browse bathroom photos
Find a bathroom designer
Shop for your bathroom
This view offers a stunning assemblage of the focal point window, dramatic tub, rattan chandelier, energetic wallpaper and basketweave floor tile. “I’m most proud of how all these elements came together,” Molloy says. “I love to play with pattern and color and layer those things together so the space doesn’t feel like you would find it elsewhere.”
More on Houzz
Read more bathroom stories
Browse bathroom photos
Find a bathroom designer
Shop for your bathroom
Sponsored
Virginia's Top Rated Kitchen & Bath Renovation Firm I Best of Houzz
Bathroom at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple with two sons and two dogs
Location: Huntersville, North Carolina
Size: 250 square feet (23 square meters)
Designer: Misty Molloy of CoCreative Interiors
Builder: Simple Solutions Home
Before: The former bathroom had lots of angles. Here’s a look at the corner shower, crammed between the water closet on the right and the built-in jetted tub. Pale blue walls, wood-look luxury vinyl plank flooring and dated shower wall tile made for a basic vibe. The homeowners wanted an airier look, more privacy for the shower and an updated, energetic style.
Find general contractors, bathroom designers and other pros near you