Before and After: Behind The Scenes Of Our Award Winning Bathroom Design
1st Place Winner: 2024 Celebration of Design - American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) Illinois
the challenge
Location: Built in 2000 - duplex up penthouse in East Village with awesome skyline views
Client: Young professional couple
What doesnât work now: Ravaged by water damage from an elusive leak above, this bathroom cried out for a transformative rescue. Our discerning clients sought not only to rectify the plumbing issue but also to infuse the space with a delightful blend of color and pattern
Style: whimsical, lots of color and pattern
How do you want it to feel: secluded garden oasis
Functional Request: Storage, easy to clean
the design process
Schematic Design
After a sneaky leak caused serious water damage, this bathroom was ready for a full transformation. Our clients didnât just want to fix the plumbing â they wanted to bring personality back into the space with bold color and playful pattern. Since they love hosting guests, the goal was to create a bathroom that feels inviting, memorable, and a little bit unexpected. With so many modifications and water damage, the room had be completely gutted, down to replacing many of the studs.
During schematic design, we needed to ensure we were designing a bathroom with the design elements that were important for our clients: storage, cleanliness, and functionality. Some of these elements we incorporated:
Shower Door: Stationary panel without a sliding door for easier access and less clutter
Storage/ shelving: We made sense of the awkward window placement with a shower niche and towel storage below, outside the shower
Decorative lighting: New decorative and functional lighting
2. Design Development
This bathroom design combines style and function to create a refined, inviting space. Thoughtful material selections, layered lighting, and custom details work together to enhance both beauty and practicality, resulting in a cohesive and elevated design. Every element is chosen to bring balance, texture, and purpose, transforming the room into a comfortable and stylish retreat.
Vinyl Wallpaper: The wallpaper chosen is not only stunning but also washable, ensuring durability alongside its aesthetic charm
Quartz Countertop: A quartz countertop also allows for easy clean-up and durability. Additionally, the quartz countertops in this bathroom are manufactured in the United States from a responsibly mined quarry, recycling 100% of the water used from manufacturing and fabrication. It is also Greenguard certified for low VOC emissions and compliant with the Living Building Challenge.
corner storage Niche: One of the most intricate challenges was the corner detail, where the shower intersects a window. We devised a solution by crafting a niche within the shower and shelves on the opposite side, utilizing the same quartz for both the shower base and shelf surface, creating optimal storage both inside and outside the shower.
Shower Tile: Complementary colored and size of tile to bring interest to the space
Layered Lighting: Enhanced lighting was another priority for this space. We incorporated layered lighting with overhead lights, sconces, shower fan/can combo, and under-shelf lighting.
3. Facilitation and Installation
Making sure the design is executed properly is key. Our team walks the job site with the contractor, provides detailed drawings and specifications and inspects with work regularly. Check out some of our project progress shots!
The Before and After Gallery
