Warm and Refined Bathroom With a Striking Green Shower
Geometric mirrors, brass pendant lights and artisan tiles create a calm, stylish retreat with depth and drama
When a Colorado couple merged their lives later in life, they enlisted designer Rachel Ogburn, who uses Houzz Pro software, in 2024 to refresh the main living areas of their home. A leaking tub soon sparked a full-blown transformation of the dark, heavy primary bathroom.
Now the space shines with style: a pair of geometric mirrors and brushed brass pendant lights frame a double vanity, while a sand-hued ceramic tile backsplash adds a subtle glow. The updated shower dazzles with artisan tiles in deep green, creating depth and drama, and a modern freestanding tub sits atop limestone-look porcelain floors. The result is a calm, refined retreat that feels both lighter and luxuriously elevated.
Now the space shines with style: a pair of geometric mirrors and brushed brass pendant lights frame a double vanity, while a sand-hued ceramic tile backsplash adds a subtle glow. The updated shower dazzles with artisan tiles in deep green, creating depth and drama, and a modern freestanding tub sits atop limestone-look porcelain floors. The result is a calm, refined retreat that feels both lighter and luxuriously elevated.
Before Photo
After: Ogburn removed the flooring along with the large tub and tub deck. “All the main components and plumbing remained in place, but we updated all the finishes,” she says.
Swapping the oversize rectangular mirror for two sculptural geometric mirrors instantly changed the vanity wall. Each mirror features a dark charcoal frame with a metallic gold leaf inner edge. “I really wanted mirrors that would utilize the height of the ceiling,” Ogburn says. “I also wanted something with an interesting shape.”
Behind them, glossy sand-colored ceramic tiles measuring 2½ by 10 inches rise vertically to the ceiling. Set with soft white grout, the tiles add subtle texture and visual interest while emphasizing the room’s generous height and creating a lighter, airier feel. The walls are now painted a delicate white with a hint of taupe (Wevet by Farrow & Ball).
Two brushed brass mini pendant lights hang over each sink, introducing soft, rounded contrast. “What they had before was two sconces installed on a rectangular plate,” Ogburn says. “Overhead lighting creates shadows on our faces, so bringing the pendants closer to eye height eliminates those unflattering shadows. They were also the perfect amount of light with frosted globes with no harsh bulbs. We purposely installed them so they overlap with the mirrors.”
Ogburn uses Houzz Pro to manage her design projects, including for client invoicing, project management and vendor purchase orders. “I use it to keep things clean and organized,” she says.
Mirrors: Savion, Uttermost; pendant lights: Beacon 1-light in brushed brass, 6 inches, Innovations Lighting; wall tile: Marin in Coastal Cliff, Bedrosians Tile & Stone; ceiling and trim paint: Pure White, Sherwin-Williams
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Swapping the oversize rectangular mirror for two sculptural geometric mirrors instantly changed the vanity wall. Each mirror features a dark charcoal frame with a metallic gold leaf inner edge. “I really wanted mirrors that would utilize the height of the ceiling,” Ogburn says. “I also wanted something with an interesting shape.”
Behind them, glossy sand-colored ceramic tiles measuring 2½ by 10 inches rise vertically to the ceiling. Set with soft white grout, the tiles add subtle texture and visual interest while emphasizing the room’s generous height and creating a lighter, airier feel. The walls are now painted a delicate white with a hint of taupe (Wevet by Farrow & Ball).
Two brushed brass mini pendant lights hang over each sink, introducing soft, rounded contrast. “What they had before was two sconces installed on a rectangular plate,” Ogburn says. “Overhead lighting creates shadows on our faces, so bringing the pendants closer to eye height eliminates those unflattering shadows. They were also the perfect amount of light with frosted globes with no harsh bulbs. We purposely installed them so they overlap with the mirrors.”
Ogburn uses Houzz Pro to manage her design projects, including for client invoicing, project management and vendor purchase orders. “I use it to keep things clean and organized,” she says.
Mirrors: Savion, Uttermost; pendant lights: Beacon 1-light in brushed brass, 6 inches, Innovations Lighting; wall tile: Marin in Coastal Cliff, Bedrosians Tile & Stone; ceiling and trim paint: Pure White, Sherwin-Williams
See why you should hire a professional who uses Houzz Pro software
The double vanity’s two white undermount sinks have vertical sides and a deep, geometric basin that complement the mirrors. Sleek two-handle widespread faucets have a rich Venetian bronze finish. A durable polished Taj Mahal quartzite counter has a creamy beige background with soft white and gold veining. “We wanted to keep things neutral but elevated,” Ogburn says. “I knew I wanted to use a natural stone here that helps elevate the porcelain tiles we used elsewhere in the bathroom.”
A pair of modern towel rings in the same finish as the faucets keep hand towels off the counter. One-of-a-kind, hand-painted art on the wall is by local Denver artist Madeleine O’Connell. “I knew i wanted something that brought in a punch of color,” Ogburn says. “It’s the first thing you see when you walk into the bathroom. I think the woman Madeleine painted has lots of sophistication and reminded me of the client herself.”
Sinks: Verticyl, Kohler; faucets and towel rings: Trinsic, Delta
Before and After: 4 Stylish Bathrooms in 150 to 190 Square Feet
A pair of modern towel rings in the same finish as the faucets keep hand towels off the counter. One-of-a-kind, hand-painted art on the wall is by local Denver artist Madeleine O’Connell. “I knew i wanted something that brought in a punch of color,” Ogburn says. “It’s the first thing you see when you walk into the bathroom. I think the woman Madeleine painted has lots of sophistication and reminded me of the client herself.”
Sinks: Verticyl, Kohler; faucets and towel rings: Trinsic, Delta
Before and After: 4 Stylish Bathrooms in 150 to 190 Square Feet
Before Photo
Before: The angled, low-curb shower had beige tile walls, a river rock tile floor and a single fixed shower head. “The materials in the shower were what was in the rest of the bathroom,” Ogburn says. “The shower didn’t have its own voice.”
While the homeowners wanted to keep the built-in bench, they were eager to refresh the overall look. The same went for the shower’s glass door, which had a standard aluminum frame.
While the homeowners wanted to keep the built-in bench, they were eager to refresh the overall look. The same went for the shower’s glass door, which had a standard aluminum frame.
After: Artisan green glazed porcelain tiles with soft white grout line the shower walls in a staggered pattern, creating depth and drama. “We wanted to make this space something that reflected both of them,” Ogburn says. “He very much wanted to keep things neutral, while she wanted something more artisan and interesting. It was about finding a balance to keep it neutral but bring in those unique elements. We also did picture frame molding around the shower entry in the same Taj Mahal quartzite (as the vanity counter) to bring in an elegant feel.”
A custom frameless tempered glass shower door with a protective coating delivers a sleeker, more modern look and makes cleaning easier. Underfoot, ½-by-4-inch white porcelain mosaic tiles in a matte finish form a subtle crosshatch pattern that adds visual interest while creating a nonslip surface.
Wall tiles: Glam in green, Arizona Tile; floor tiles: Sahara Crosshatch in white, Bedrosians Tile & Stone
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A custom frameless tempered glass shower door with a protective coating delivers a sleeker, more modern look and makes cleaning easier. Underfoot, ½-by-4-inch white porcelain mosaic tiles in a matte finish form a subtle crosshatch pattern that adds visual interest while creating a nonslip surface.
Wall tiles: Glam in green, Arizona Tile; floor tiles: Sahara Crosshatch in white, Bedrosians Tile & Stone
Find a bathroom designer on Houzz
A double niche for hair and body products is finished in the same green tiles as the shower walls, with shelves crafted from Taj Mahal quartzite. “We moved the shower niche to a different wall so it’s not the first thing you see,” Ogburn says. “We also made the double niche deeper and taller to allow for more storage space.”
The quartzite was also used for the shower bench top. “When you buy a slab, I try to utilize it as much as possible without being too repetitive,” Ogburn says. “This also provided a lighter pop inside the shower.”
The shower is equipped with a fixed shower head and an integrated diverter (not shown) from the same collection as the vanity faucets, reinforcing the cohesive, streamlined look.
The quartzite was also used for the shower bench top. “When you buy a slab, I try to utilize it as much as possible without being too repetitive,” Ogburn says. “This also provided a lighter pop inside the shower.”
The shower is equipped with a fixed shower head and an integrated diverter (not shown) from the same collection as the vanity faucets, reinforcing the cohesive, streamlined look.
Before Photo
Before: A tiled deck wrapped the aging jetted tub, consuming valuable floor space. “That built-in tub had a leak and that was the catalyst of the bathroom overall,” Ogburn says.
The homeowners wanted to preserve the glass-block window and the water closet on the left. The door on the right connects to the primary walk-in closet.
New to home remodeling? Learn the basics
The homeowners wanted to preserve the glass-block window and the water closet on the left. The door on the right connects to the primary walk-in closet.
New to home remodeling? Learn the basics
After: A contemporary 67-inch freestanding acrylic tub in crisp white anchors the space with comfort and understated elegance. “I like how the shape of it sits in the center,” Ogburn says.
A modern tub filler with hand shower in Venetian bronze echoes the finish of the vanity faucets. The same sand-colored glossy ceramic tiles used above the vanity wrap the wall around the tub. “We made sure to include a custom shelf under the window for bathroom products to land,” Ogburn says. “We were able to use that same tile for function and beauty.”
Limestone-look porcelain floor tiles with slip resistance add durability and safety. “We chose something with a bit of texture so there’s great grip after you’re in the shower or wet,” Ogburn says. Above the tub, one-of-a-kind artworks collected during a trip to Copenhagen, Denmark, bring personal meaning to the space. “The bathroom is now unrecognizable, though it shares the same footprint as before,” Ogburn says. “We were able to create a very serene space that spoke to both of their personalities.”
Floor tile: Haddonstone Dawn, Daltile; tub: Renlo, Signature Hardware; tub filler and towel bar: Delta
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A modern tub filler with hand shower in Venetian bronze echoes the finish of the vanity faucets. The same sand-colored glossy ceramic tiles used above the vanity wrap the wall around the tub. “We made sure to include a custom shelf under the window for bathroom products to land,” Ogburn says. “We were able to use that same tile for function and beauty.”
Limestone-look porcelain floor tiles with slip resistance add durability and safety. “We chose something with a bit of texture so there’s great grip after you’re in the shower or wet,” Ogburn says. Above the tub, one-of-a-kind artworks collected during a trip to Copenhagen, Denmark, bring personal meaning to the space. “The bathroom is now unrecognizable, though it shares the same footprint as before,” Ogburn says. “We were able to create a very serene space that spoke to both of their personalities.”
Floor tile: Haddonstone Dawn, Daltile; tub: Renlo, Signature Hardware; tub filler and towel bar: Delta
More on Houzz
Read more stories
Browse photos for ideas
Find home professionals
Bathroom at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple
Location: Denver
Size: 200 square feet (19 square meters)
Designer: Rachel Ogburn of Rowe Interior Design
Before: The existing double vanity was in good shape, but the homeowners wanted to replace the oval sinks and brown granite countertop. “We repainted the cabinetry when we did the rest of the home in 2024,” Ogburn says. “It used to be yellow oak cabinets and we did it in Accessible Beige (by Sherwin-Williams). We also updated the hardware then.”
A large framed mirror made the rectangular vanity feel boxy. “It also didn’t utilize the very tall ceilings they had in there,” Ogburn says. “The mirror made it feel squatty.” Deep aubergine walls paired with dated finishes added visual weight, while oversize beige floor tiles meant to mimic stone fell flat. “They almost permanently looked muddy,” Ogburn says. “Also, the installation was just square-on-square.”
The walk-in shower to the right of the vanity continued the beige-on-beige look with more tile and outdated fixtures.