The BLING

The materials and layout for this bathroom were inspired by the couple's antiques collection and pops of blue found throughout the rest of the home. It was universally designed for aging-in-place.

Bathroom Remodel
Universal Design
Aging in Place

Chapter 1: The Concept

A chic, Victorian bathroom remodel with a vintage yet modern feel, that addresses the needs of a couple that intend to Live-in-Place. A design incorporating Universal Design, taking into consideration Aging-in-Place, while creating a warm, luxurious, space.

SketchUp study of the tub and shower alcove: travertine pillars under two arches, a glass block window over a drop-in tub, and diagonal tile in the shower. — Early studies

Early rendering of the vanity wall before the mirrors and sconces: white vessel sinks with brass faucets, a glass front tower cabinet and navy damask wallpaper. — Early studies

Chapter 2: The Plan

The floor plan keys every fixture and finish. The construction plan moves the door openings and adds a pivot-swing French door to the toilet room, and the mechanical plan lays out the lighting, the heat and vent unit and a heated floor under the tile.

Hand-drawn floor plan of the bathroom: a double vanity, a toilet room behind French doors, a shower and a drop-in tub framed by travertine pillars, keyed to a fixture list of 17 items.

Hand-drawn construction plan with a legend for new construction, walls removed, walls that remain, added blocking, a glass block window and a coved ceiling.

Chapter 3: The Details

Honed travertine pillars, a basketweave marble mosaic floor with brown dots and a travertine wainscot carry the old-world look, set against navy damask wallpaper and polished brass fixtures. An ADA-compliant grab bar and a linear shower drain keep it easy to use for years to come.

Elevation A, the vanity wall: two oval mirrors over vessel sinks either side of a tall glass front cabinet.

Elevation B, the tub and shower: travertine pillars and arches over the tub window and the tiled shower niche.

Tile Work

Each pillar is built up from honed travertine trims: a baseboard molding, a corner ogee stair tread, a crown molding and a dome liner. The wainscot pairs a Crema Marfil and Emperador basketweave mosaic with Tuscany Ivory subway tile, and the floor is a Crema Marfil basketweave with brown dots.

Materials board: a gold leaf chandelier on a pale blue wall, a travertine window surround, a polished brass shower head and tub filler with hand shower, a basketweave mosaic band with a brass grab bar, a wall-hung toilet, navy towels, a basketweave marble floor, and a white carved vanity with an embossed vessel sink and an oval mosaic mirror on navy damask. — Materials

Chapter 4: All That Glitters

Rendering of the tub and shower: a drop-in tub on brown marble under a glass block window, travertine pillars with a dot inlay, a crystal flush mount in the arched ceiling, and a basketweave floor.

Rendering of the vanity wall with oval mosaic mirrors, crystal sconces and brass faucets on navy damask, beside the French doors to the toilet room.