Warm Finishes and Pleasing Proportions Transform a Primary Bath
Design pros correct awkward angles, tackle moisture issues and find space for a custom linen alcove
As they entered the empty-nest phase of life, these Treasure Valley, Idaho, homeowners decided it was finally time to tackle the primary bathroom renovation they had envisioned for years. They hired contractor Anthony Boyd of Boyd Remodeling and Construction and interior designer Lauren Lienhard to bring that vision to life. Through careful attention to scale, proportion and visual alignment, the team created the warm, luxurious retreat the homeowners wanted.
After: A double vanity with abundant storage topped the homeowners’ wish list. Custom-crafted from rift-sawn white oak, the new vanity adds warmth and includes three banks of drawers. One drawer conceals a Rev-A-Shelf hair appliance insert with an integrated outlet. Additional drawers beneath the cabinet doors maximize the space under the sinks. To make up for the storage that medicine cabinets would have provided, the homeowners requested wall niches flanking the vanity.
To help balance the room’s height, Lienhard recommended extra-tall mirrors paired with elongated sconces. She also visually broke up the expansive wall by layering two tile heights. Rather than a standard 4-inch backsplash, she specified 10-inch tiles scaled to suit the room. The generous backsplash accommodates the wall-mounted faucets, while its vertical orientation and creamy hue create crisp contrast with the running-bond pattern and warm gray tones of the subway tile covering the rest of the wall.
To help balance the room’s height, Lienhard recommended extra-tall mirrors paired with elongated sconces. She also visually broke up the expansive wall by layering two tile heights. Rather than a standard 4-inch backsplash, she specified 10-inch tiles scaled to suit the room. The generous backsplash accommodates the wall-mounted faucets, while its vertical orientation and creamy hue create crisp contrast with the running-bond pattern and warm gray tones of the subway tile covering the rest of the wall.
To the left of the vanity, Boyd reworked the entrance to the water closet by adding a transom window overhead. “Toilet rooms can be dark and this helps share the light,” he says. “This style of transom appears over other doors in the house.”
Wall, trim and ceiling paint: Drift of Mist, Sherwin-Williams; backsplash tile: Marin ceramic in Sand Dollar, Bedrosians; grout color: Ash, Prism; faucets: Castia by Studio McGee, Kohler; countertop: Carrara Lumos quartz, MSI
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Wall, trim and ceiling paint: Drift of Mist, Sherwin-Williams; backsplash tile: Marin ceramic in Sand Dollar, Bedrosians; grout color: Ash, Prism; faucets: Castia by Studio McGee, Kohler; countertop: Carrara Lumos quartz, MSI
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To add much-needed storage for linens and bath products, Boyd borrowed square footage from the water closet to create a recessed alcove with custom cabinetry and open shelving. While the rift-sawn white oak coordinates with the vanity, crystal knobs introduce a distinctive touch.
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Before: The room’s proportions felt awkward and disjointed. The bulky angled tub surround and low shower opening seemed out of scale with the high ceilings, while horizontal accent tile bands visually interrupted the room’s verticality. A floor plan adjustment also allowed the team to straighten the angled wall on the right.
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10 Tips for Designing the Perfect Shower
After: Replacing the large built-in tub surround with a minimalist freestanding bathtub created a more streamlined arrangement beneath the window. To address the lofty ceilings on this side of the room, Lienhard added a glamorous oversize chandelier, and Boyd increased the height of the shower entry.
The upgraded shower includes a rain shower head, a standard shower head and a handheld wand. Heated floors, controlled by a dedicated thermostat separate from the rest of the bathroom, add comfort underfoot. To permanently resolve the moisture issues, Boyd installed a high-efficiency exhaust fan with integrated sensors that automatically detect humidity and run as needed.
Extending the tile to the ceiling enhanced the room’s boutique hotel feel while protecting the drywall from tub splashes. Lienhard grounded the space with wainscoting made from the same large-format marble-look porcelain tile used on the floor. Above it, she wrapped the walls in the elongated subway tile featured at the vanity, connecting the two tile styles with a delicate pencil liner.
Floor and wainscoting tile: Magnifica Pietra Bianca, Bedrosians; grout color: Warm Gray, Prism
The upgraded shower includes a rain shower head, a standard shower head and a handheld wand. Heated floors, controlled by a dedicated thermostat separate from the rest of the bathroom, add comfort underfoot. To permanently resolve the moisture issues, Boyd installed a high-efficiency exhaust fan with integrated sensors that automatically detect humidity and run as needed.
Extending the tile to the ceiling enhanced the room’s boutique hotel feel while protecting the drywall from tub splashes. Lienhard grounded the space with wainscoting made from the same large-format marble-look porcelain tile used on the floor. Above it, she wrapped the walls in the elongated subway tile featured at the vanity, connecting the two tile styles with a delicate pencil liner.
Floor and wainscoting tile: Magnifica Pietra Bianca, Bedrosians; grout color: Warm Gray, Prism
After: The remodel shifted the main entry door (right) slightly and replaced the traditional swinging door with a space-saving pocket door. The most significant floor plan changes occurred in and around the shower. To create cleaner lines, the angled shower wall was straightened. Above the shower, a new alcove accommodates the additional storage cabinet and open shelving.
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Bathroom at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple whose nest will be empty soon
Location: Treasure Valley region of Idaho
Size: 184 square feet (17 square meters)
Contractor: Boyd Remodeling and Construction
Designer: Lauren Lienhard
Before: The original bathroom felt dark and cavernous. Features such as the vanity, lighting and hefty bathtub surround were dwarfed by the room’s soaring ceilings. The shower lacked proper ventilation, leading to persistent mold and mildew issues.
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