Bathroom Makeovers
Bathroom of the Week
Bathroom of the Week: Warm Contemporary Style for Aging in Place
Remodelers create a safe and stylish space for an older adult with a roomy shower, nonslip flooring and layered lighting
This older adult wanted to update his decades-old en suite bathroom to help with aging in place and deliver a wow factor. He tapped designer Molly Littlejohn and Kraft Custom Construction to spearhead the makeover. The remodeling team ditched a little-used jetted tub, as well as a worn wood vanity and a tight fiberglass shower stall, then reworked the layout for better maneuverability.
By rearranging the location of the main components, they were able to create a roomier walk-in shower, a larger vanity that significantly improves storage and an open toilet area, leaving plenty of floor and elbow room. A layered lighting scheme results in a well-lit space and highlights the warm contemporary style that combines various off-white tiles, matte black fixtures and a natural knotty alder vanity cabinet with concrete-look countertop.
By rearranging the location of the main components, they were able to create a roomier walk-in shower, a larger vanity that significantly improves storage and an open toilet area, leaving plenty of floor and elbow room. A layered lighting scheme results in a well-lit space and highlights the warm contemporary style that combines various off-white tiles, matte black fixtures and a natural knotty alder vanity cabinet with concrete-look countertop.
After: Littlejohn removed the former components and rejiggered the layout. A spacious new low-curb shower stands where the water closet was. “For cost savings, we went with the low-curb instead of curbless,” Littlejohn says. “We did as low as we could.”
A custom tempered glass enclosure and a new reeded glass door connecting the bathroom to the bedroom (partially visible in the mirror’s reflection) allow natural light to be shared between spaces.
Fluted 12-by-24-inch white architectural wall tiles with soft gray grout cover the back wall and extend into the shower and wrap around the side wall. The tiles also cover the pony wall and curb. “The fluting is vertical and the tile is horizontal, so it gives a really interesting architectural detail,” Littlejohn says.
The main bathroom flooring and the shower flooring are 3-by-3-inch creamy white porcelain tiles that create a nonslip surface throughout the space. A border of the same tile in a 6-by-12-inch size wraps the main flooring area. A powerful new exhaust fan on the ceiling outside the shower (not shown) improves ventilation and promotes a healthy environment.
Tile: Fluted Journey in white (12 by 24 inches (walls) and Journey in white, 3 by 3 inches (floors), Z Collection
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A custom tempered glass enclosure and a new reeded glass door connecting the bathroom to the bedroom (partially visible in the mirror’s reflection) allow natural light to be shared between spaces.
Fluted 12-by-24-inch white architectural wall tiles with soft gray grout cover the back wall and extend into the shower and wrap around the side wall. The tiles also cover the pony wall and curb. “The fluting is vertical and the tile is horizontal, so it gives a really interesting architectural detail,” Littlejohn says.
The main bathroom flooring and the shower flooring are 3-by-3-inch creamy white porcelain tiles that create a nonslip surface throughout the space. A border of the same tile in a 6-by-12-inch size wraps the main flooring area. A powerful new exhaust fan on the ceiling outside the shower (not shown) improves ventilation and promotes a healthy environment.
Tile: Fluted Journey in white (12 by 24 inches (walls) and Journey in white, 3 by 3 inches (floors), Z Collection
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Two modern matte black robe hooks sit on the wall outside the shower entrance. A hardwired towel warmer with 10 bars mounted on the adjoining wall keeps towels toasty and within easy reach of the shower. On the left you can see the new reeded glass door that connects the bedroom to the bathroom.
Towel warmer: Radiant collection, Amba Products
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Towel warmer: Radiant collection, Amba Products
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Matte black shower fixtures include a fixed shower head, a hand shower with a 36-inch slide bar and body sprays on the wall. A matte black grab bar with all-brass construction and mitered corners is mounted on the left. “The client intends to live here as he ages and wanted to ensure security when he is showering,” Littlejohn says.
Grab bar: 9200 series, Kartners; shower fixtures: Riobel, House of Rohl
Grab bar: 9200 series, Kartners; shower fixtures: Riobel, House of Rohl
A custom shower niche for hair and body products has downlighting that highlights the texture of the fluted tiles.
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This photo shows the location of the shower functions near the entrance that allows the homeowner to turn the water on without getting sprayed on the head. It also shows the enhanced lighting scheme that creates a safe, well-lit environment. The scheme combines ceiling lights, a backlit LED mirror, undercabinet lighting and a ceiling fixture (not shown).
Shop for bathroom vanities on Houzz
Shop for bathroom vanities on Houzz
Before: Here’s a look at some of the materials in the former bathroom. The worn wood vanity with oval drop-in sinks and a mosaic tile backsplash joined beige walls and beige tile flooring. The vanity lacked adequate storage, which resulted in a cluttered countertop. “It had bad hinges and was just worn,” Littlejohn says.
After: A new custom double vanity sits in place of the former jetted tub. “We gave him 2 extra feet of vanity than what was there before,” Littlejohn says. “We wanted a nod to the rest of the house that includes the same knotty wood.” The durable quartz countertop and short backsplash mimic the look of concrete. “It was a neutral color that complements the shower tile,” Littlejohn says.
Custom vanity: Jory Workshop; paint colors: Balboa Mist (walls) and White Dove (ceiling), Benjamin Moore
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Custom vanity: Jory Workshop; paint colors: Balboa Mist (walls) and White Dove (ceiling), Benjamin Moore
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The vanity has two base cabinets and nine drawers with contemporary matte black knobs and pulls that coordinate with matte black widespread faucets with lever handles. Undercabinet lighting illuminates the floor and gives the vanity the appearance of floating. A dramatic 72-by-36-inch mirror includes energy-efficient LED lights with adjustable color temperatures and a defogger pad. “Everything is on a dimmer, so when he needs full light he can create the mood himself with the toekick lighting and the niche lighting we also have in the shower,” Littlejohn says. “There are a number of ways he can dim the light for mood or function.”
A new white modern toilet with bidet seat sits in a slight niche across from the vanity.
Ceiling light: Emory, Crystorama Lighting
New to home remodeling? Learn the basics
A new white modern toilet with bidet seat sits in a slight niche across from the vanity.
Ceiling light: Emory, Crystorama Lighting
New to home remodeling? Learn the basics
After: The roomier layout now features a spacious walk-in shower (top left), larger vanity (top right) and open toilet area (bottom right). “It’s a better-functioning bathroom for him so he can age in place, and also accomplishes that wow factor that he wanted,” Littlejohn says.
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More on Houzz
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Bathroom at a Glance
Who lives here: An older adult
Location: Oregon
Size: 132 square feet (12 square meters)
Designer: Molly J Littlejohn Design
Contractor: Kraft Custom Construction
Before: The former corner fiberglass shower stall with a fabric curtain lacked room for the homeowner to maneuver. “He’s a taller gentleman and he would have to bend his elbows to wash his hair,” Littlejohn says. “It was breaking down and had been there 20 years, so it was ready to be renewed.”
A rarely used jetted tub sat across from the shower and, next to that, a dark water closet. “They took up space and made the rest of the bathroom feel very small,” Littlejohn says.
A lack of windows and adequate lighting made the space difficult to use safely. “You had to leave the bathroom door open if you wanted any kind of light,” Littlejohn says.