Room Tour: Black, White and Wood Link One Home's Two Bathrooms
A couple in renovate both rooms at once, moving a bath and installing a shower
Morgan Province
17 September 2017
Houzz Contributor. Enjoying a life of travel around the world and writing fun stories along the way. In my spare time, I plan my dream home on Houzz, read all kinds of books, and cuddle with my two Westies.
Houzz Contributor. Enjoying a life of travel around the world and writing fun stories... More
A pair of empty nesters wanted to create cohesion inside their 1940s home by redoing their two bathrooms in a similar style. Designers Tanya McLean and Nichole Skladan took on this two-bathroom challenge. Although the bathrooms are fundamentally traditional in style, the designers used touches of nature from the homeowners’ collection to give both rooms an eclectic and retro edge. The project consisted of a smaller bathroom on the main level of the home and a larger bathroom on the second floor.
Bathrooms at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Sizes: Main-level bathroom of 38 square feet (3.5 square metres), upper-level bathroom of 5.8 square metres
Designers: Tanya McLean, owner and principal designer, and Nichole Skladan, junior designer, of mango design co
Photos by Tracey Ayton
Main-Level Bathroom
The backstory: This bathroom services the common spaces in the house – the kitchen, living room, dining room and a den. The space mostly serves as a powder room.
Who lives here: A couple
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Sizes: Main-level bathroom of 38 square feet (3.5 square metres), upper-level bathroom of 5.8 square metres
Designers: Tanya McLean, owner and principal designer, and Nichole Skladan, junior designer, of mango design co
Photos by Tracey Ayton
Main-Level Bathroom
The backstory: This bathroom services the common spaces in the house – the kitchen, living room, dining room and a den. The space mostly serves as a powder room.
Scope of work Plumbing changes can be costly for a home project, so the homeowners decided to update the fixtures and work with the existing layout.
Another element that was staying put was the glass block window. Replacing the window would be expensive, so McLean had to find a way to work it into her design.
Another element that was staying put was the glass block window. Replacing the window would be expensive, so McLean had to find a way to work it into her design.
Design solutions The team replaced the shower with the claw-foot bathtub from the upstairs bathroom and painted the outside of the tub black to go with the room’s decor.
As for the glass block window, the joiner cleanly framed it with white wainscoting and trim. “We created the top sill of the wainscoting deeper than usual so [the homeowners] could display some knick-knacks,” McLean says.
Flooring: Narrow Douglas fir planks, installed in a herringbone pattern, match the wood floors in the hallway. This wood tone is seen throughout the design in both bathrooms.
Shop Like this style? We’ve pulled together some beautiful products from the Houzz shop to help you to get the look
Browse reviews and find a carpenter or a joiner nearby
As for the glass block window, the joiner cleanly framed it with white wainscoting and trim. “We created the top sill of the wainscoting deeper than usual so [the homeowners] could display some knick-knacks,” McLean says.
Flooring: Narrow Douglas fir planks, installed in a herringbone pattern, match the wood floors in the hallway. This wood tone is seen throughout the design in both bathrooms.
Shop Like this style? We’ve pulled together some beautiful products from the Houzz shop to help you to get the look
Browse reviews and find a carpenter or a joiner nearby
Style “The acacia mirror and walnut shelves add warmth and a place for [the homeowner] to add her personal touches of nature,” McLean says. “The ravens, rocks, wood and feathers are from [her] collection and are a theme throughout the house.”
The white Shaker wainscoting, pedestal sink and claw-foot bath make the room more traditional, but by adding graphic wallpaper and using black and white, the designers were able to give the room a retro twist.
Sink: Boulevard, American Standard; paint on custom wainscoting: Cloud White, Benjamin Moore.Taps: Riobel via Wolseley Kitchen & Bath Classics; mirror: CB2; sconce: Archie collection, Progress Lighting via Home Depot; wallpaper: Woods, Cole & Son
The white Shaker wainscoting, pedestal sink and claw-foot bath make the room more traditional, but by adding graphic wallpaper and using black and white, the designers were able to give the room a retro twist.
Sink: Boulevard, American Standard; paint on custom wainscoting: Cloud White, Benjamin Moore.Taps: Riobel via Wolseley Kitchen & Bath Classics; mirror: CB2; sconce: Archie collection, Progress Lighting via Home Depot; wallpaper: Woods, Cole & Son
Upper-level bathroom
The backstory: The upper-level bathroom is near the home’s two bedrooms and was originally connected to the master bedroom. Structural changes were made during the renovation to create a more functional space inside the room.
Sconce and ceiling light: Archie collection, Progress Lighting via Home Depot
The backstory: The upper-level bathroom is near the home’s two bedrooms and was originally connected to the master bedroom. Structural changes were made during the renovation to create a more functional space inside the room.
Sconce and ceiling light: Archie collection, Progress Lighting via Home Depot
Scope of work: The team filled in the second doorway, the one that led to the master bedroom. The homeowners felt that they could live without direct access, and the extra wall space allowed the team to work around the fact that the plumbing lines were staying put.
One of the plumbing fixture updates requested by the homeowners was a shower instead of a bath. Since this would be the primary bathroom for getting ready in the morning, a shower was more practical for them.
10 Things to Consider When Switching Baths and Showers
One of the plumbing fixture updates requested by the homeowners was a shower instead of a bath. Since this would be the primary bathroom for getting ready in the morning, a shower was more practical for them.
10 Things to Consider When Switching Baths and Showers
Design solution: Closing off the door to the master bedroom left an odd-shaped nook near the toilet, so McLean installed shelving to make the most of the space.
Floor tile: Hydraulic series in black, C&S Tile; paint on walls: Stonington Gray, Benjamin Moore
Floor tile: Hydraulic series in black, C&S Tile; paint on walls: Stonington Gray, Benjamin Moore
The built-in shelves store towels and display accessories.
Shower: Although plumbing lines could not be moved, the design team switched the positions of the shower and the vanity unit. By filling in the second doorway, the team had room to put in a shower with built-in shelves on one wall and a larger vanity unit on the other.
Shower floor tiles: Daltile
Shower floor tiles: Daltile
Style: The team was able to redesign two bathrooms simultaneously without making them identical. “The bathrooms definitely relate to each other, but each has its now personality,” McLean says.
For example, black mosaic shower floor tiles and white metro wall tiles echo the bold black-and-white wallpaper and bathtub in the main-level bathroom.
To refer back to the wood-toned accent colour in the main-level bathroom, the design team finished the custom vanity unit and nook shelves with a walnut stain. Creating spaces that go together doesn’t mean that they need to match. Rather, it is about creating cohesion in style, colour and shape.
“This may come in using the same floor tiles throughout but changing up the wall tiles, or using the same cabinetry [in both] but changing the floors. Or just using materials and finishes that complement each other without being the same,” McLean says. “Matching is boring!”
Discover and shop for the products to help you to get the look
Vanity unit and shelves: Custom Craft Cabinets & Millwork; vanity countertop with backsplash: Pure White, Caesarstone; tap: Riobel; vanity hardware: Duluth in chrome, Restoration Hardware
General contractor: Blake Williams of Hillview Renovations
Custom building: Custom Craft Cabinets & Millwork
Flooring: Kado Hardwood Floors
What is your favourite detail in these two complementary bathrooms? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
For example, black mosaic shower floor tiles and white metro wall tiles echo the bold black-and-white wallpaper and bathtub in the main-level bathroom.
To refer back to the wood-toned accent colour in the main-level bathroom, the design team finished the custom vanity unit and nook shelves with a walnut stain. Creating spaces that go together doesn’t mean that they need to match. Rather, it is about creating cohesion in style, colour and shape.
“This may come in using the same floor tiles throughout but changing up the wall tiles, or using the same cabinetry [in both] but changing the floors. Or just using materials and finishes that complement each other without being the same,” McLean says. “Matching is boring!”
Discover and shop for the products to help you to get the look
Vanity unit and shelves: Custom Craft Cabinets & Millwork; vanity countertop with backsplash: Pure White, Caesarstone; tap: Riobel; vanity hardware: Duluth in chrome, Restoration Hardware
General contractor: Blake Williams of Hillview Renovations
Custom building: Custom Craft Cabinets & Millwork
Flooring: Kado Hardwood Floors
What is your favourite detail in these two complementary bathrooms? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
Related Stories
Kitchens
10 Smart Storage Tips for Your Kitchen Bins
Keep kitchen rubbish stylishly tucked away with these clever solutions
Full Story
More Rooms
The 5 Most Popular Laundry Rooms on Houzz Right Now
Get decorating ideas for your laundry or utility room from these most-saved photos on Houzz
Full Story
Gardens
How Do I Create a Drought-tolerant Garden?
By Kate Burt
As summers heat up, plants that need less water are increasingly desirable. Luckily, there are lots of beautiful options
Full Story
Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: Warm Tones and Luxurious Surfaces in a City Townhouse
An earthy colour palette, hidden storage and well-placed texture add character and practicality to this London home
Full Story
Gardens
5 Inspiring Before and After Garden Transformations
Check out what a difference designers have made to these once dull plots, visually expanding spaces and creating privacy
Full Story
Houzz Tours
Kitchen Tour: A Gorgeous Extension With a Leafy Glasshouse Feel
By Kate Burt
When the owners of this terraced house extended, they were keen to retain its period feel and highlight the garden
Full Story
Gardens
How to Disguise Rubbish and Recycling Bins Outside Your Home
Need to hide unsightly bins in your garden or driveway? Take a look at these clever ideas for inspiration
Full Story
Renovating
21 Ways Designers Are Incorporating Arches Into Homes
By Kate Burt
Everywhere we look on Houzz right now, a cheeky arch pops up. How would you add this timeless architectural feature?
Full Story
Lifestyle
How to Improve the Air Quality in Your Home
Want to ensure your home environment is clean and healthy? Start by assessing the quality of your air
Full Story
Gardens
Garden Tour: A Bare Roof Terrace Becomes a Pretty, Sociable Space
By Kate Burt
A retired couple got help transforming their large rooftop into a gorgeous, welcoming, multi-functional retreat
Full Story
love the wall paper.
What black paint color did you use for the clawfoot exterior?