Before and Afters
Bathroom of the Week
Bathroom Design
Bathroom of the Week: Save-and-Splurge Strategy for a Master Bath
A designer on Houzz helps a North Carolina couple create a bright and modern retreat with budget-minded design choices
This North Carolina couple wanted to update their master bathroom while keeping their budget under tight control. To ensure they would make the right budget-minded decisions, they hired designer Laura Anderson to oversee a save-and-splurge strategy while creating a brighter, spa-like retreat.
To save money, Anderson didn’t move any walls or plumbing and used marble-look porcelain tile rather than the real thing. The couple then splurged on two antiqued gray oak vanities to star in the new space, which also features an airy new low-curb shower and freestanding tub.
To save money, Anderson didn’t move any walls or plumbing and used marble-look porcelain tile rather than the real thing. The couple then splurged on two antiqued gray oak vanities to star in the new space, which also features an airy new low-curb shower and freestanding tub.
After: Anderson removed the flooring, wallpaper, shower stall and built-in tub but kept the budget down by not removing any walls, moving the plumbing or otherwise changing the layout. “That was purposeful,” Anderson says. “We wanted to keep the budget in line by not moving walls or cutting into the existing structure.”
Painting the walls gray-beige (Agreeable Gray by Sherwin-Williams) and using porcelain 12-by-24-inch floor tiles that mimic the look of Carrara marble were two other budget-minded decisions. “Because this was a budget-friendly project, we couldn’t go with real marble,” Anderson says. “We were looking for an affordable tile that would capture the look we were going for.”
The couple then splurged on two prefabricated antiqued gray oak vanities.
Painting the walls gray-beige (Agreeable Gray by Sherwin-Williams) and using porcelain 12-by-24-inch floor tiles that mimic the look of Carrara marble were two other budget-minded decisions. “Because this was a budget-friendly project, we couldn’t go with real marble,” Anderson says. “We were looking for an affordable tile that would capture the look we were going for.”
The couple then splurged on two prefabricated antiqued gray oak vanities.
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Each vanity includes a row of three decorative drawers on top, and three functional solid-wood drawers with dovetail construction and soft-close glides below. An open shelf on the bottom stores towels and decorative accessories. “The homeowner fell in love with these, and this was where she wanted to spend her money,” Anderson says. “It also felt like we could anchor all the modern details of this bathroom with something warm.”
Browse vanities in the Houzz shop
Browse vanities in the Houzz shop
Creamy white quartz countertops feature powdery gray veining for a marble look that coordinates with the porcelain floor and shower tiles. A contemporary chrome faucet arcs over a rectangular white sink. “The homeowner really loved the clean lines of these faucets, and we felt they paired great with our wall-mounted tub filler,” Anderson says.
Chromed-framed mirrors and towel rings complement the faucet finish.
Chromed-framed mirrors and towel rings complement the faucet finish.
Before: In the former bathroom, the built-in jetted tub (the jets no longer worked) left room for a compact shower enclosure. The brass frame stopped well short of the ceiling, giving the enclosure a squat appearance.
The glass block window over the tub offered some natural light but obscured views of the lush backyard.
The glass block window over the tub offered some natural light but obscured views of the lush backyard.
After: A local glass maker created the new custom glass surround for the low-curb shower. The glass extends almost to the ceiling, creating a more spacious and airy look.
Anderson installed a combo fan and light over the shower. “It’s not an eyesore and serves both of the purposes instead of having a fan with a light next to it,” Anderson says.
A new glass window offers views of greenery outside.
Anderson installed a combo fan and light over the shower. “It’s not an eyesore and serves both of the purposes instead of having a fan with a light next to it,” Anderson says.
A new glass window offers views of greenery outside.
The same porcelain 12-by-24-inch marble-look tiles that line the floor also wrap the shower walls. “It keeps our costs down when we do one full tile order for the floor and the walls,” Anderson says. “Plus she really loved that look that keeps things clean and fresh.”
A wall-mounted shower system with a rainfall shower head coordinates with the other chrome finishes in the bathroom.
Tile and countertop fabrication and installation: Instyle Charlotte
A wall-mounted shower system with a rainfall shower head coordinates with the other chrome finishes in the bathroom.
Tile and countertop fabrication and installation: Instyle Charlotte
Porcelain 2-by-2-inch shower floor tiles also mimic the look of Carrara marble. The numerous grout lines provide grip for wet feet.
A modern wood bench offers a spot for shaving or holding a touch of greenery when the shower is not in use. “I always tell people if you can’t afford to put in a built-in bench, go buy a teak one like this for your shower,” Anderson says. “They always look pretty.”
Similar teak shower bench: Asia, 18 inches, AquaTeak
A modern wood bench offers a spot for shaving or holding a touch of greenery when the shower is not in use. “I always tell people if you can’t afford to put in a built-in bench, go buy a teak one like this for your shower,” Anderson says. “They always look pretty.”
Similar teak shower bench: Asia, 18 inches, AquaTeak
The extra-deep freestanding white acrylic tub has a polished chrome pop-up drain, chrome overflow and wall-mounted chrome faucet. “We actually picked this tub faucet before the sink faucets, because we really wanted a wall-mount faucet that had a modern look,” Anderson says.
The renovated bathroom gives the homeowners the bright and contemporary space they wanted within the budget they desired. “It’s clean, crisp and modern without being too harsh,” Anderson says. “There’s so much light in there, and it gives them a place they can escape the rest of the world.”
Tub: Rebecca 65 inches, Wyndham collection; bathtub faucet: Pivotal, Delta
More on Houzz
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The renovated bathroom gives the homeowners the bright and contemporary space they wanted within the budget they desired. “It’s clean, crisp and modern without being too harsh,” Anderson says. “There’s so much light in there, and it gives them a place they can escape the rest of the world.”
Tub: Rebecca 65 inches, Wyndham collection; bathtub faucet: Pivotal, Delta
More on Houzz
Before and After: 4 Bathrooms That Ditched the Tub
Browse bathroom photos
Find a bathroom designer
Shop for your bathroom
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Bathroom at a Glance
Who lives here: A young professional couple with a daughter
Location: Davidson, North Carolina
Size: 155 square feet (14 square meters)
Designer: Laura Anderson of Craft and Trade Renovations
Before: The couple had grown tired of the basic dark-wood vanities, beige tile floor and wallpapered ceiling. A small brass-framed shower enclosure and built-in jetted tub (see below) were other issues. “It felt cluttered, dated and dark,” Anderson says. “There was also a glass block window over the tub that was an eyesore.”
The couple liked having a water closet behind the door on the angled wall seen here.
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