Bathroom Design
Bathroom of the Week
Bathroom of the Week: Layers of Blue and Marble in 60 Square Feet
A designer uses natural stone, traditional details and a fresh palette to elevate the look and feel of a new guest bath
While reconfiguring their classic Tudor home, this couple wanted to gain a comfortable upstairs bathroom for overnight guests and family. They tapped designer Heather Kirk for help creating a workable layout and adding elevated but approachable style. Blue-toned Carrara Blanco and Thassos marble mosaic tiles in a kaleidoscopic design form a stunning feature wall in the shower-tub combo area. The accent wall helps highlight the room’s depth rather than its narrow width. A smoky blue double vanity complements the tiles and features a storage tower and a hidden laundry pullout. Heated marble hexagonal floor tiles add comfort and style.
The hardworking vanity features a storage tower for towels and linens. A tilt-out compartment in front of each sink holds bars of soap. A pullout hides a laundry hamper that helps keep dirty clothes and towels off the floor.
Two medicine cabinets add more storage and include an integrated outlet, USB port and interior lighting. “We wanted to give them function with aesthetics,” Kirk says. A double sconce above each mirror has a vintage look and an oil-rubbed bronze finish that coordinates with the vanity hardware.
Double vanity: Pendelton door in Smokey Blue, Showplace Cabinetry; vanity hardware: Rigdon in oil-rubbed bronze, Rejuvenation; medicine cabinets: M Series, Robern; sconces: Pittock in oil-rubbed bronze, Rejuvenation; door and ceiling paint: White Dove, Benjamin Moore
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Two medicine cabinets add more storage and include an integrated outlet, USB port and interior lighting. “We wanted to give them function with aesthetics,” Kirk says. A double sconce above each mirror has a vintage look and an oil-rubbed bronze finish that coordinates with the vanity hardware.
Double vanity: Pendelton door in Smokey Blue, Showplace Cabinetry; vanity hardware: Rigdon in oil-rubbed bronze, Rejuvenation; medicine cabinets: M Series, Robern; sconces: Pittock in oil-rubbed bronze, Rejuvenation; door and ceiling paint: White Dove, Benjamin Moore
Shop for bathroom vanities on Houzz
An elegant and scratch-resistant polished quartz countertop has an ogee edge. “Design-wise, it customizes and elevates the look,” Kirk says. “What was fun for us was to use these traditional elements in this vintage home and create a new, fresh space.”
A white oval undermount cast-iron sinks pair with two-handle widespread faucets that have a classic design and stainless steel finish. “The ridges and the details in the glazing in the sinks add to the traditional and personal feel of the bathroom,” Kirk says.
Sinks: Serif in white, Kohler; faucets: Cassidy in Stainless, Delta
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A white oval undermount cast-iron sinks pair with two-handle widespread faucets that have a classic design and stainless steel finish. “The ridges and the details in the glazing in the sinks add to the traditional and personal feel of the bathroom,” Kirk says.
Sinks: Serif in white, Kohler; faucets: Cassidy in Stainless, Delta
10 Colorful Bathroom Vanities That Bring Joy and Drama
The shower accent wall consists of Carraro Blanco and Thassos marble mosaic tiles with touches of blue. “They were the inspiration for the bathroom,” Kirk says. “We played off that hexagon shape for other parts of the room. A subtle repeat of shapes and colors throughout the room makes the bathroom feel comforting.”
A 24-inch stainless steel grab bar on the back wall offers support for those entering and exiting the tub. The shower-tub combo also includes a pressure-balanced valve system, hand shower, integrated diverter tub spout and a white acrylic tub. A custom operable window brings in fresh air. Surrounding the window is 2-by-12-inch ogee molding in Apollonia marble in a honed finish. “We knew we wanted to add this hall bathroom, but then realized it would be lovely to add that window,” Kirk says. “It really brightens the space.”
The bathroom walls are covered in a blue nonwoven wallpaper with a cloth-like pattern that pairs wavy horizontal lines with straight vertical ones. “It gives you the look and appearance of linen, but it’s more durable and appropriate for a bathroom,” Kirk says.
An ADA-compliant chair-height toilet has an elongated bowl for extra comfort. “I love that this toilet is one piece and skirted for easy cleaning,” Kirk says. A teak bench offers a spot for resting towels or a book while soaking in the tub.
Accent wall tile: Aliso hexagon in blue on Carrara Blanco, StoneImpressions; grab bar: 24-inch in Brilliance Stainless, Delta; teak bench: Sage Interiors; toilet: St. George, DXV; tub: Archer, Kohler; wallpaper: Linen Strie in blue, York Wallcoverings
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A 24-inch stainless steel grab bar on the back wall offers support for those entering and exiting the tub. The shower-tub combo also includes a pressure-balanced valve system, hand shower, integrated diverter tub spout and a white acrylic tub. A custom operable window brings in fresh air. Surrounding the window is 2-by-12-inch ogee molding in Apollonia marble in a honed finish. “We knew we wanted to add this hall bathroom, but then realized it would be lovely to add that window,” Kirk says. “It really brightens the space.”
The bathroom walls are covered in a blue nonwoven wallpaper with a cloth-like pattern that pairs wavy horizontal lines with straight vertical ones. “It gives you the look and appearance of linen, but it’s more durable and appropriate for a bathroom,” Kirk says.
An ADA-compliant chair-height toilet has an elongated bowl for extra comfort. “I love that this toilet is one piece and skirted for easy cleaning,” Kirk says. A teak bench offers a spot for resting towels or a book while soaking in the tub.
Accent wall tile: Aliso hexagon in blue on Carrara Blanco, StoneImpressions; grab bar: 24-inch in Brilliance Stainless, Delta; teak bench: Sage Interiors; toilet: St. George, DXV; tub: Archer, Kohler; wallpaper: Linen Strie in blue, York Wallcoverings
8 Golden Rules of Bathroom Design
A custom shower niche keeps products within easy reach. Honed Apollonia marble tiles line the niche and side walls of the shower. The same marble-look quartz as the vanity countertop forms a border and the shelves. “We supersized the niche and created three usable shelves for all their products,” Kirk says. “We also placed the niche high enough so that you can soak in the tub and rest your head.”
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Honed Bianco Bello Carrara marble baseboard trim elevates the space and complements the other marble details. “I love that this bathroom is a small space but has what I call ‘the pretties,’” Kirk says. “You have the marble and the interesting wallpaper, the laundry pullout and the grab bar for safety. You have all the bells and whistles in a small space.”
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Bathroom at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple and their dog
Location: Seattle
Size: 60 square feet (5.6 square meters)
Designer: Heather Kirk of Kirk Riley Design
A palette of blues and creams with touches of oil-rubbed bronze creates a fresh look. Patterned tiles on the back wall help pull the eye in. The dark blue vanity color adds depth to the narrow space and helps focus attention on the shower accent tile. The flooring is honed 2-inch hexagonal Pietra Blanco Bello marble tiles with radiant heating.
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