As You Like It Designs LLC : It All Starts At The Entrance

Originally, this project was to consist of a slight upgrade to the existing bathroom. The clients wanted a more comfortable bathing experience that appealed to their senses. There was no debate on replacing the carpet with tile or getting a new vanity along with lights and other fixtures but the elephant in the room was the sunken tub/shower arrangement. Not only was it an eyesore in the small space but neither homeowner liked using the space foe bathing, so it was neither beautiful nor functional from their perspective and their main reason for calling on a designer for help. It was requested that something be done with the sunken tub. They were not sure about getting rid of it but something had to be done.

With every remodel I prefer to give my clients at least two, if not three, design options. Whether a designer knows the amount of the budget or not, you can be sure that there is one, and I have found that within three options, clients will realize that budget is regulated by their product decisions and product decisions depend on their priorities. I believe that options build understanding, confidence and most importantly trust between you and your client. Priceless.

In this bath remodel, a huge window within the sunken tub/shower combination provided plenty of natural light into the room. Natural light, so important in a bathroom, was never a problem here. However, that same sunken tub/shower combination was an immediate eyesore and presented my greatest challenge in creating a luxurious master bath for my clients in a bathroom that measures 103" by 100".

With a respect to budget, my first option included filling in the sunken tub and overlaying the area with a tub/shower enclosure. This does not change the floor plan and will be the least costly of all options.

The next option separated the shower and the tub area. In order to make this happen, the toilet had to be moved to the far side of the room. Moving the toilet always impacts the budget. It's an expensive item since you not only move the toilet but all the plumbing lines and venting items that accompany it. Moving the toilet to the other side of the room also meant that the vanity had to be reduced by 6 inches, so it went from a 2 sink 60" vanity to a 2 sink 54" vanity with a small pony wall between the lavatory and the toilet.

The next option and the one they chose, totally uplifted the entire area. This option removed the bathroom door and broadened the remodeled space to include the adjacent closet, small hallway and the entrance into the space from the bedroom. In order to save wall space inside the bathroom and the closet, I suggested a barn door as the entrance from the bedroom. I knew this was a gamble but it opened up the space tremendously. The pictures and layout below show this new space configuration. The red barn door looks fabulous and now my clients absolutely love their bathroom. Priceless.