Three severely outdated bathrooms were overhauled for a creative client whose vintage collections inspired bright and quirky design touches, linked thoughtfully to the rest of the home.
Written by Wilson HackThe goal of the guest bathroom remodel was to enhance its beauty and functionality — no small feat given its original 70's builder-grade design. The dark, low vanity and overly deep linen closet lacked usability, so Suzanna took the bathroom down to the studs to rebuild it from the ground up. She added a deeper soaking tub with opaque glass above, maximizing light while ensuring privacy. Wall tiles from Walter Zanger were applied with a creative twist, incorporating slightly smaller tiles for a subtle yet clever rhythm. For the floor, Suzanna chose cost-effective porcelain tiles that mimicked cement but offered greater functionality. She transformed the linen closet into a floor-to-ceiling storage solution with new pull-out shelves for easy access and organization. The result was a significantly brighter, more functional guest bathroom, enhanced with thoughtful patterns, textures, and colors.
Because the client's father was a painter, there was an endless collection of artwork that could be borrowed from other areas of the house. It was the colors of these that drove the vivacious and electric energy of the powder bathroom. The client had originally attempted to re-do the bathroom herself, applying a purple faux finish to the walls, but this didn't quite achieve the desired result. The idea was for the bathroom to be both "happy and fun," while maintaining a decidedly personal flare. Suzanna removed the dark purple in favor of light green, a vivid but gentle color that was applied to both the ceiling and walls and complemented nicely the original Saltillo floor tiles. An existing piece of antique furniture was taken from the client's living room and repurposed into a stunning and complimentary vanity. To brighten and soften, an opaque window was added in order to utilize all the natural light possible, while still allowing for privacy. The beautiful array of curated artwork above the toilet is the room's showstopper collection: colorful brushstrokes entice and awe in this fundamentally distinctive powder room.
Entering a new phase of her life, the client desired a master bathroom experience reminiscent of a spa - a sanctuary for relaxation and preparation for the day. The existing bathroom, however, was far from ideal. The wallpaper was so unappealing that the client had already begun peeling it away. The oversized tub went unused, so Suzanna decided to replace it with an oversized shower, achieving a functional yet luxurious feel. The overall layout of the bathroom remained unchanged. Floor-to-ceiling wall tile was added to enhance texture and brightness, while hexagonal floor tile from Walter Zanger introduced subtle variation to a thoughtfully curated, yet strikingly beautiful, materials palette. Suzanna replaced the small window above the original bathtub with a slightly larger one, opting for a white frame instead of black. The increased brightness from the white wall tile, combined with the larger window, made the space feel significantly more expansive. To ensure the bathroom reflected the client's personal style, Suzanna incorporated the client’s collection of antiques. A piece from Restoration Hardware was chosen for its vintage furniture appeal, and additions from Round Top contributed to the layered, lived-in look. A vintage Chinese miniature stool from Round Top was used to display the client's personal trinkets on the vanity. The client's vibrant and friendly personality was a key influence on the design, resulting in a master bathroom that not only provides a serene spa-like atmosphere but also radiates a fun and personal touch.
