Bathroom of the Week: Midcentury Playfulness Meets Serenity
A design-build firm closely collaborates with homeowners to create a midcentury-inspired primary bath
As they built their forever home in Canyon Lake, Texas, this couple wanted their primary bathroom to capture everything they love about midcentury modern design — the fun colors, geometric shapes and sense of playfulness — while still feeling calm and serene. They approached interior designer Brie Corbitt of LTB Design + Build with a layout in mind and a whimsical tile concept they were eager to bring to life. Corbitt helped them select finishes that would strike the right balance between bold design and a relaxing atmosphere.
A custom tile pattern resembling the movement of water became the jumping-off point for the entire design. “Our clients had put a lot of color and pattern into the rest of the house and they really loved blue,” Corbitt says. “While they wanted this playful tile, they also wanted the room to feel serene. So the challenge was how to balance that.” The solution was to make the tile the focal point and complement it with warm neutrals elsewhere in the room.
Creating the pattern took both creativity and precision. “At first we worked with squares, but we ultimately decided that hexagons would bring in their love of geometric shapes,” Corbitt says.
Corbitt, project manager Cory Allison and the homeowners collaborated closely with the tile installer to compose the design. Each of the three tile colors arrived on separate mats, which they laid out on the floor first to map the pattern, then adjusted on the walls one tile at a time “This took lots of communication with the homeowners. The tile installer told me if I ever asked him to do anything like this ever again that he was going to charge a lot more money,” Allison says with a laugh.
Bathtub: Halley J85, Cosmo collection, Jetta
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Creating the pattern took both creativity and precision. “At first we worked with squares, but we ultimately decided that hexagons would bring in their love of geometric shapes,” Corbitt says.
Corbitt, project manager Cory Allison and the homeowners collaborated closely with the tile installer to compose the design. Each of the three tile colors arrived on separate mats, which they laid out on the floor first to map the pattern, then adjusted on the walls one tile at a time “This took lots of communication with the homeowners. The tile installer told me if I ever asked him to do anything like this ever again that he was going to charge a lot more money,” Allison says with a laugh.
Bathtub: Halley J85, Cosmo collection, Jetta
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The couple wanted the tub and shower together in one open wet-room area. The signature water flow tile repeats behind the shower heads in a customized pattern that fits around the fixtures and niches. The third wall features large windows that look out to a private patio.
The enclosure is curbless and partially open, which makes it both modern and functional for aging in place, particularly if a walker is ever used. “The glass enclosure is long enough that not a drop of water ever escapes this area,” Allison says. “It all flows down to the linear drain beneath the shower controls.”
The shower includes two standard heads, a rain shower and a handheld wand. The control panel features a thermostatic dial for temperature and two large push buttons that direct water to the various heads.
The homeowners have to get into the shower to turn on the water, but thanks to a tankless hot water recirculation system, they never have to endure a cold shock. “It literally takes seconds for the water to get from a warm enough temperature up to the desired temperature,” Allison says.
Both the tub and shower niches are illuminated by LED light strips along the top, and more lighting runs beneath the floating vanity. These subtle lights provide a soft glow without needing to turn on bright overhead lights to navigate safely in the middle of the night.
Shower heads: Statement collection, Kohler; shower controls: Anthem collection, Kohler
The enclosure is curbless and partially open, which makes it both modern and functional for aging in place, particularly if a walker is ever used. “The glass enclosure is long enough that not a drop of water ever escapes this area,” Allison says. “It all flows down to the linear drain beneath the shower controls.”
The shower includes two standard heads, a rain shower and a handheld wand. The control panel features a thermostatic dial for temperature and two large push buttons that direct water to the various heads.
The homeowners have to get into the shower to turn on the water, but thanks to a tankless hot water recirculation system, they never have to endure a cold shock. “It literally takes seconds for the water to get from a warm enough temperature up to the desired temperature,” Allison says.
Both the tub and shower niches are illuminated by LED light strips along the top, and more lighting runs beneath the floating vanity. These subtle lights provide a soft glow without needing to turn on bright overhead lights to navigate safely in the middle of the night.
Shower heads: Statement collection, Kohler; shower controls: Anthem collection, Kohler
The white oak cabinetry of the streamlined vanity adds a layer of quiet warmth, as does the subtle veining in the quartz countertop, which extends up the wall for a clean, continuous look. “We ran that quartz all the way up the vanity wall for some added texture that doesn’t distract from the tile,” Corbitt says. The porcelain floor tile adds subtle texture. Its terrazzo look ties in with the room’s midcentury vibe, but its quiet palette keeps it from competing with the bold tile.
Simple mirrors, linear drawer pulls and sunray sconces continue the era’s influence, while brass plumbing and lighting finishes brings in a touch of retro elegance.
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Simple mirrors, linear drawer pulls and sunray sconces continue the era’s influence, while brass plumbing and lighting finishes brings in a touch of retro elegance.
New to home remodeling? Learn the basics
The bathroom opens to a private patio, which carries the midcentury-inspired style outdoors. The patio is just around the bend from the home’s pool, so it’s a quick walk over to rinse off outdoors after a swim.
“Our clients are very private people,” Corbitt says. “This house is in a very secluded area with lots of trees. Between that and the privacy block around the patio, they felt there was ample privacy.”
The patio’s hexagonal porcelain tiles echo the geometry found inside, their bamboo-like texture adding a soft, organic touch against the slatted wood siding. A playful accent of geometric tiles behind the outdoor shower ties everything together.
“Our clients are very private people,” Corbitt says. “This house is in a very secluded area with lots of trees. Between that and the privacy block around the patio, they felt there was ample privacy.”
The patio’s hexagonal porcelain tiles echo the geometry found inside, their bamboo-like texture adding a soft, organic touch against the slatted wood siding. A playful accent of geometric tiles behind the outdoor shower ties everything together.
This photo of the primary bedroom highlights the home’s midcentury-inspired architecture, with its slanted ceiling and exposed wood beams. The warm wood and clean lines continue seamlessly into the primary bathroom, visible through the open door on the left.
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Floor plan: The plan shows the primary suite, with the bathroom in the center, the private patio at the top, the closet on the left and the bedroom on the right. Two private toilet rooms are on the left side of the bathroom.
The following elements will help the homeowners age in place in their forever home:
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The following elements will help the homeowners age in place in their forever home:
- A curbless shower enclosure with an opening that’s wide enough to accommodate a walker
- A handheld shower wand
- A portable shower bench
- Ample lighting, including LED strip lights under the vanity for late-night trips to the bathroom
- A seated makeup area
- Bidet toilets
- Cabinet pulls that are easy to grasp
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Browse bathroom photos for ideas
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Bathroom at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple with children still at home
Location: Canyon Lake, Texas
Size: 240 square feet (22 square meters)
Designer: LTB Design + Build
Some of the homeowners’ children still live at home, but the couple designed this house to suit them long-term — from the busy family years through retirement. The bathroom design reflects that approach, combining their personal style with features that support aging in place.
One priority in the architectural plans was separate water closets. The private toilet rooms flank the closet door seen at the back of this photo. (See floor plans below.) Another must-have was a double vanity with ample room for each of them to spread out. The custom cabinetry includes a mix of drawers and doors to store items of all shapes and sizes.
The wife also wanted a dedicated spot to get ready. A makeup table extends off one end of the vanity, complete with a mirror featuring integrated lighting that’s ideal for applying makeup.
Faucets: Purist in Vibrant Brass, Kohler
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