Primary Bathroom - Hollywood Makeover
Eight years doesn’t sound very long until you realize it’s just two years shy of a decade. I bought my house 8 years ago, new and my primary bathroom was complete with builder grade fixtures, lighting, brown walls, brown ceiling (Yikes!), and travertine tile, as far as the eye could see. She’s been a good bathroom but after almost a decade, she was begging for a refresh. (CLICK ON "BEFORE" IMAGES BELOW TO ENLARGE, Then scroll below to see the AFTER!)
I knew I wanted to remodel my bathroom and open this dark and dreary space up, creating a light and airy, spa-like experience. My inspiration began, perhaps unknowingly with a Marilyn Monroe print that I purchased in a London art gallery six years ago. I could never find the right place for her in my house, until now. I’ve always had a love for the black and white glamor of 1940’s Hollywood. So, using Marilyn, and other stars as my inspiration, I created a design built around black, white and grey, courtesy of Sherwin-Williams.
Before the remodel, the door from the bedroom to the bath opened into the shower so to get out of the shower, you'd have to push the bathroom door shut. I decided to remove the door all together. I considered a pocket door but the shower plumbing would've prevented the install. I decided to do a sliding barn door instead and I'm so happy I did! This door and door kit is from Rustica Hardware Door Company. It was really simple to put together and fairly simple to install.
The new floors are ceramic tile that are a dark charcoal, woodgrain pattern to resemble hardwood. LOVE.
The first thing on my bathroom remodel want list was a classic pedestal tub from Rejuvenation. And while some feel subway tile is overused, I still love how classic and timeless it is.
I decided to create a subway tiled accent wall, in a herringbone pattern, above the vanity. Pottery Barn’s Kensington Pivot Mirrors, Mercer Double Sconce and Towel Ring complete the look, taking my Hollywood vision to the next level.
I also carried the subway tile through to the shower. And while I was originally going to tear out the sheetrock-enclosed shower and replace with standard glass, I decided to do something that made more of a statement. I asked my contractor to sketch out something with paned glass and a black frame, almost like a giant paned-glass phone booth. The result exceeded my expectations and the shower holds it’s own against the larger than life, Hollywood stars that look upon it.
I had the shower enclosure custom-made out of steel. It was built in two pieces with a transom above the door. The panes are on the OUTSIDE of the shower and solid glass was mounted on the inside for easy cleaning.
The steel shower frame above before getting painted black in a satin finish. I repurposed the hexagon floor tile behind the built-in shower cubby shelf. I also chose this Delta shower head and trim kit to tie back to the bathtub hardware. The bathtub and hardware shown below is from Rejuvenation.
Bathroom Remodel Tips:
• When choosing paint swatches, look at them at various times throughout the day. I didn’t want a grey that was too blue so I looked at it in the morning, mid-day and night.
• If you decide to go with a dark floor, I always recommend going with a light ceiling. I chose white so the room felt larger and more open.
• Dimmer switches. Dimmer switches. Dimmer switches. There’s no better way to set the mood and create a spa-like experience. And sometimes in the middle of the night, you just don’t want to be blinded by 100w bulbs.
• Consult a professional if you’re unsure. My remodel required drilling in to my slab so that plumbing could be moved so using a professional was a must in this scenario.
• Lastly, add some life and color with fresh florals.
My bathroom must-haves:
• Pottery Barn Hydrocotton Bath Towels in white
• Pottery Barn monogrammed Oval Paperwhite Soaps. I placed mine in a silver-plated champagne bucket for a unique touch.
• Pottery Barn Metal Etagere in chrome – perfect for when you’re short on extra shelving!
• L'OCCITANE Lavender Foaming Bath
• Duckhorn 2012 Chardonnay (Napa Valley), to go along with your bubble bath of course!
All photos & Interior Design by Jonathan Stiers ©2015
Permission must be obtained to republish/repost any and all images.
