Bathroom of the Week: Light and Airy Layout With a Fresh Style
A freestanding tub and low-curb shower loosen up a footprint, while lighter finishes create a bright new look
An overabundance of tan and brown finishes and a large built-in tub made for a drab and heavy look in Michael and Yoshie Davison’s primary bathroom. Yearning for a light and airy feel with a fresh style, they turned to designer Shelley Vilov and project manager David Jordan, both of whom had helped the couple update another bathroom in their home.
The remodeling team replaced the built-in tub with a freestanding model that helped loosen up the layout and allow for a bigger shower. White marble-look porcelain tiles cover the floor and the walls wrapping the shower and tub area, creating a brighter look. Pale gray walls also brighten the space, while midtone gray vanities and chrome fixtures and details add touches of fresh, modern style.
The remodeling team replaced the built-in tub with a freestanding model that helped loosen up the layout and allow for a bigger shower. White marble-look porcelain tiles cover the floor and the walls wrapping the shower and tub area, creating a brighter look. Pale gray walls also brighten the space, while midtone gray vanities and chrome fixtures and details add touches of fresh, modern style.
After: The remodeling team kept the windows and doors in the same places but removed the former features and finishes. “Everything was demoed down to the studs,” Vilov says.
A new freestanding acrylic tub loosened up the layout and allowed room for a larger shower. Lighter finishes helped brighten the overall look. Large-format marble-look porcelain tiles now cover the floor and the walls wrapping the shower and bath areas. “The veining in this particular porcelain tile was dramatic and has pops of gray and gold,” Vilov says.
A frameless glass shower enclosure keeps sightlines to the tile open. A matte finish on the floor tile provides a nonslip surface. A polished finish on the wall tile helps enhance light. Light gray walls (Gossamer Veil by Sherwin-Williams), midtone gray vanities and white walls and trim complement the tile colors but don’t take away from them, Michael says. The door on the right connects to the couple’s bedroom.
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A new freestanding acrylic tub loosened up the layout and allowed room for a larger shower. Lighter finishes helped brighten the overall look. Large-format marble-look porcelain tiles now cover the floor and the walls wrapping the shower and bath areas. “The veining in this particular porcelain tile was dramatic and has pops of gray and gold,” Vilov says.
A frameless glass shower enclosure keeps sightlines to the tile open. A matte finish on the floor tile provides a nonslip surface. A polished finish on the wall tile helps enhance light. Light gray walls (Gossamer Veil by Sherwin-Williams), midtone gray vanities and white walls and trim complement the tile colors but don’t take away from them, Michael says. The door on the right connects to the couple’s bedroom.
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The 48-inch ready-made vanities feature Shaker-style cabinet doors and slab fronts for the drawers. Vilov customized the vanities with pure white quartz countertops and chrome pulls to help tie them back to the tile.
Polished chrome faucets, vanity lights and other details coordinate in the room for a cohesive look. Brass-framed mirrors nod to the gold veining in the porcelain tiles.
Vanities: Beckett in dark gray, 48 inches, customized, Wyndham Collection; faucets: Purist in polished chrome, Kohler
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Polished chrome faucets, vanity lights and other details coordinate in the room for a cohesive look. Brass-framed mirrors nod to the gold veining in the porcelain tiles.
Vanities: Beckett in dark gray, 48 inches, customized, Wyndham Collection; faucets: Purist in polished chrome, Kohler
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Before: Previously, the imposing tub deck protruded into the shower to form a bench, which the couple felt took up too much room. “It came in there and really reduced the floor space inside the shower,” Michael says.
After: With the tub deck gone, the team expanded the low-curb shower with enough space to add a standalone stool or bench if needed. A niche helps keeps products off the floor and within easy reach. “A lot of times niches will be centered somewhere in the wall, but this was a very modern application for this niche,” Vilov says.
A pressure-balanced shower system with fixed shower head, hand shower and lever handle allows easy control of the water temperature. “We always put in a three-way valve,” Vilov says. “This allows the homeowner the ultimate flexibility to have just the shower head, the handheld shower or both of them on.”
Shower enclosure: Dulles Glass; fixtures: Purist pressure-balanced shower system in polished chrome, Kohler
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A pressure-balanced shower system with fixed shower head, hand shower and lever handle allows easy control of the water temperature. “We always put in a three-way valve,” Vilov says. “This allows the homeowner the ultimate flexibility to have just the shower head, the handheld shower or both of them on.”
Shower enclosure: Dulles Glass; fixtures: Purist pressure-balanced shower system in polished chrome, Kohler
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One-inch hexagonal marble mosaic tiles create a nonslip surface for the shower floor. “We wanted the pattern,” Michael says. “These aren’t too overwhelming and complement the other tile.”
Floor tile: Coastal Ivory blend in multi-finish marble mosaic, 1 inch, Floor & Decor
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Floor tile: Coastal Ivory blend in multi-finish marble mosaic, 1 inch, Floor & Decor
New to home remodeling? Learn the basics
The 63-inch matte white acrylic tub gives the couple a deep soaking experience in a lighter footprint. “I think it absolutely makes the bathroom feel larger,” Michael says. “Getting rid of that deck that took up so much room made such a difference.” A wood tub caddy provides a spot to set bath products or a beverage. A sleek floor-mounted tub filler has a handheld sprayer and a polished chrome finish that coordinates with other elements in the room. New LED recessed lights on dimmers let the homeowners control the mood.
The couple kept the window overlooking the backyard but upgraded the blinds, which can now open from the top or bottom. “They give us so much more natural light in the bathroom,” Michael says. “Even if they’re completely closed, you get more light inside.” A relocated exhaust fan is just out of view. To the left of the tub is the water closet.
Tub: Eden, 63 inches, Signature Hardware; tub filler: Purist in polished chrome, Kohler
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The couple kept the window overlooking the backyard but upgraded the blinds, which can now open from the top or bottom. “They give us so much more natural light in the bathroom,” Michael says. “Even if they’re completely closed, you get more light inside.” A relocated exhaust fan is just out of view. To the left of the tub is the water closet.
Tub: Eden, 63 inches, Signature Hardware; tub filler: Purist in polished chrome, Kohler
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This floor plan shows the updated bathroom layout with the shower stall (top right), freestanding tub (top center) and water closet (top left) along one wall. The two vanities flank the door leading to the bedroom (bottom center). On the far left, another door leads to a walk-in closet.
“It is definitely brighter and feels more spacious,” Michael says.
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“It is definitely brighter and feels more spacious,” Michael says.
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Read more bathroom stories
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Find a bathroom designer
Shop for your bathroom
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Bathroom at a Glance
Who lives here: Michael and Yoshie Davison
Location: Ashburn, Virginia
Size: 150 square feet (14 square meters)
Remodeling team: Designer Shelley Vilov and project manager David Jordan of Jordan Design-Build Group
Before: In the former bathroom, travertine tiles covered the floor, tub deck and walls wrapping the tub and shower. Combined with tan surrounding walls and stained wood vanities, the space looked dark and heavy. “It had previously been refinished, and it was all very tan and brown,” Michael says. “We wanted something that looked clean and a lot brighter.” Meanwhile, the built-in tub ate up valuable square footage.