Arlington Two Baths Remodel


Generously sized, site-built cabinets (stained by the owners) provide ample storage below a beautiful granite counter with coordinating mosaic backsplash. The owners requested two open shelves for ease of access to towels.

An oddly-shaped closet has been converted into a functional bathroom, requiring new plumbing. Good design allowed space for this deep shower with a granite-covered bench (matching the counter top), rainhead and a hand-held fixture on a slider bar. Frameless shower glass minimized the visual clutter.

The rich chocolate tones of the granite counter are picked up in the mosaic backsplash as well as in the shower. Levered faucet handles lend a universal design element; when they are wall-mounted, more space is available on the counter, essential for compact bathrooms such as this.

When space is at a premium, the toilet paper holder can be recessed in its own little niche, as shown here.

In this totally remodeled bathroom, the owners wished to retain the turn-of-the-century feeling, so the console sink was an obvious choice for that retro look. The medicine cabinet above is an original. Black flower tiles in the hex mosaic tile floor coordinate nicely with the black stripe tile liner, another signature feature of the time. The bench is a nice bonus!

Although the medicine chest above the sink is the only original piece in this bathroom, the vintage look was maintained by smart design decisions in the console sink (see other photo) and fixtures, luggage-like towel shelf in the shower, subway tile and black tile liner.

The owners purchased this period piece of stained glass for the shower wall opening, and accomodations were made with blocking and tiling to create a cradle for this lovely piece of art. The shampoo niches are a modern and functional touch to the vintage feel of the space. Subway tile was as popular then as it is now.

Even the small details like the styling of the TP holder and flush handle contribute to the turn-of-the-century atmosphere of this remodeled bathroom. The floor, wall and tub tile create “the envelope.”