Modern-Rustic Style Warms Up an 80-Square-Foot Bathroom
A reworked layout and layered materials bring light, openness and calm to a primary bath
With their first baby on the way, this Seattle-area couple decided it was time to update their primary bathroom. A large drop-in tub wedged into a corner and a cramped shower stall were among their biggest concerns. They hired kitchen and bath designer Laila Ferri Johnson, who reworked the 80-square-foot layout and selected finishes that suited their style. A thoughtful mix of modern and rustic elements now gives the room a cohesive, inviting feel.
Before Photo
After: While the footprint remained the same, Johnson helped the homeowners find a 54-inch tub with clean, minimalist lines. Removing the pony wall between the shower and tub opened up the space and helps the shower feel larger. A freestanding tub filler adds a sculptural touch.
The new flooring — large-format 12-by-24-inch porcelain tile with a concrete look — adds subtle texture and a modern edge. On the walls, creamy gray subway tile has a handmade look and keeps the room feeling warm rather than sterile.
Tub: Madeline freestanding soaking bathtub, West Elm; wall tile: Mural in 3-by-6-inch Nuage glossy, Surface Art; floor tile: Trace 12-by-24-inch in White Natural, Z Collection
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The new flooring — large-format 12-by-24-inch porcelain tile with a concrete look — adds subtle texture and a modern edge. On the walls, creamy gray subway tile has a handmade look and keeps the room feeling warm rather than sterile.
Tub: Madeline freestanding soaking bathtub, West Elm; wall tile: Mural in 3-by-6-inch Nuage glossy, Surface Art; floor tile: Trace 12-by-24-inch in White Natural, Z Collection
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The homeowners wanted a bathroom that looked clean and bright with warm rustic touches for contrast. The vanity sets the tone with oak cabinetry, a white quartz countertop and matte black hardware and fixtures. “The wife really wanted brass but the husband didn’t,” Johnson says. “Mixing black and brass finishes was a good compromise that worked for both of them.”
A pair of mirrored medicine cabinets adds storage above the vanity. A ledge running along this wall extends the wood upward, creates a natural stopping point for the backsplash and provides a spot for everyday items and display.
The wife fell in love with the alabaster wall sconce, which introduces a touch of brass. Its oval shape, along with the rounded black mirror frames, softens the room’s strong straight lines.
Wall color: Agreeable Gray, Sherwin-Williams
A pair of mirrored medicine cabinets adds storage above the vanity. A ledge running along this wall extends the wood upward, creates a natural stopping point for the backsplash and provides a spot for everyday items and display.
The wife fell in love with the alabaster wall sconce, which introduces a touch of brass. Its oval shape, along with the rounded black mirror frames, softens the room’s strong straight lines.
Wall color: Agreeable Gray, Sherwin-Williams
The backsplash tile and ledge run the full length of the vanity wall, visually elongating the space. A teak bathtub shelf adds another touch of warm wood.
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The shower measures 38 by 35 inches. It’s compact, but swapping the pony wall for a clear glass divider makes it feel more open. Johnson says this was the most impactful change. “Extending this glass panel from floor to ceiling allowed the natural light from the window to come through and made everything feel more open,” she says.
A restrained material palette keeps the room cohesive and easy on the eyes. Creamy subway tile from the backsplash continues across the window wall and into the shower for a seamless look. White quartz also carries into the shower, lining the niche and forming the threshold. The running bond pattern flows uninterrupted through the niche, reflecting careful planning and skilled installation.
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A restrained material palette keeps the room cohesive and easy on the eyes. Creamy subway tile from the backsplash continues across the window wall and into the shower for a seamless look. White quartz also carries into the shower, lining the niche and forming the threshold. The running bond pattern flows uninterrupted through the niche, reflecting careful planning and skilled installation.
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The floor plan reveals details not shown in the photos. The door to the right of the shower leads to a toilet room. On the right side of the plan, Johnson replaced a single closet door with two 18-inch French doors.
The finished bathroom is bright, calming and ready for bath time with the baby. A thoughtful mix of materials keeps it feeling fresh and modern, while wood accents add warmth and welcome.
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The finished bathroom is bright, calming and ready for bath time with the baby. A thoughtful mix of materials keeps it feeling fresh and modern, while wood accents add warmth and welcome.
More on Houzz
Read more bathroom stories
Browse bathroom photos for ideas
Find home design and construction professionals
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Bathroom at a Glance
Who lives here: A family of three
Location: Snohomish County, Washington
Size: 80 square feet (7.4 square meters)
Designer: Laila Ferri Johnson of Designed Smart
Before: The layout felt crowded, with the shower, drop-in tub and vanity competing for space. The tub’s tight placement next to the vanity made cleaning difficult, and an awkward closet entry also needed attention.
“My clients wanted the shower to feel more open,” Johnson says. “They also wanted a bathtub that would be easier for the kids to use and easier to clean.” A freestanding bathtub was on their wish list.