TEN TIPS for a Successful Bathroom Renovation

We recently redid this primary bathroom suite for a client in Taos. They wanted a predominantly southwest look, which evolved to include touches of Moroccan bohemian eclectic design. The whole process took approximately 4-6 weeks. In this blog, I will walk you through the steps we went through to transform this space for our clients, while providing practical tips for you to transform your bathroom along the way.

#1. IDENTIFY WHAT’s NOT WORKING:

When we first started this renovation, the bathroom vanity had a tired and dated look, like a hangover from a cabin built in the '70s. The space was quite heavy on the use of pine, which consequently made the room look bland. Our clients complained about not loving the look and functionality of the tile countertops with grout lines that are difficult to clean. They wanted to keep the vanity cabinets but wanted to freshen them up somehow.  They liked the scale of the mirror but not the style, and the old lighting fixture just had to go!

#2. UPDATING HARDWARE: One of the first things I did on this project was to simply start by swapping out the hardware and the mirror. The old hardware was brass and blended in far too easily with the cedar. We chose to go with all black hardware to provide more contrast. We blended more modern sleek hardware with Spanish colonial style wrought iron accent pulls.  We also broke up the heavy-handed pine wood features by adding a darker red oak stain on the trim. We swapped out the mirror with one that had approximately the same length as the vanity with a frame that tied into our overall aesthetic of the space.

In the vanity room, I decided to keep a style similar to the hand-painted tiles but went with an upgraded tile from the Catalina series, tying into the Spanish colonial accents that are common in New Mexican/Pueblo Revival style homes.

#3. CREATING DIMENSION WITH LIGHT: We found two pendant fixtures to hang above the sleek vanity sinks. Doing this allowed us to utilize the space above the vanity mirror to draw the eye upward while casting a patterned, filtered light. The Moroccan-style pendant fixtures add texture and a touch of mood lighting. We also installed an overhead recessed can light to provide the option to evenly light the room when desired.

#4. UPDATING COUNTERTOPS: We replaced the tile countertops with quartz counters that are durable and easy to clean.  Our clients wanted light-colored countertops to tie into the new white porcelain sinks. We went with a slab with copper veining to tie into the warm-toned southwest aesthetic. In this case, we were able to purchase a full-sized slab that was also used for the kitchen countertops. However, if you just want to update your bathroom vanity, you can ask if they have leftover pieces from other slabs that can be cut down to size.

#6. EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED: In every renovation, there will always be something that doesn't go according to plan. In our case, working in old adobe houses, you often find a lot of surprises behind the walls. This is the closest I have to a BEFORE picture of the shower.  Because the plaster was not properly adhered to the adobe wall when the shower was originally built, the entire wall came down when we demoed the tile, leaving this old crumbling cheddar cheese adobe exposed...

So where do we go from here???

#7. HIRE TRUSTED PROFESSIONALS: Especially when it comes to the plumbing and electrical in and around your shower, it is essential to hire trusted professionals to ensure both the functionality and safety of your space. Our crew spent several days problem-solving how to best rebuild the shower.

We ultimately decided to entirely reframe this shower, incorporating a shower liner and hardy board to guarantee the area is square, plumb, and waterproof. Collaborating with a plumber and/or a skilled builder to ensure proper drainage is a CRUCIAL element in preventing water accumulation, mold development, and ensuring the overall functionality and safety of your shower.

#8. TILE UPDATE: Our clients desired the sensation of showering outdoors surrounded by natural rocks. Consequently, we chose a natural stone, which is stunning but very delicate. My team advised handling it as gently as a newborn baby. We also planned for a 10-15% surplus in tiles to cover any potential breakages.

#9. SHOWER LIGHTING DESIGN: We worked with an electrician to add custom lighting in the shower. We added a more modern overhead light in the space, as well as a recessed can light directly over the shower. We installed custom LED lights in the alcoves to provide an option for mood lighting when you turn off the overhead light, which would still have enough functionality to use the shower in low light.

#10. ENHANCING FUNCTIONALITY: We installed shower heads on both sides of the shower to accommodate multiple users simultaneously. The alcoves provide additional functional storage space. We incorporated towel rings and extra hooks to enhance usability. Additionally, we expanded storage by installing a cabinet above the toilet featuring Southwest willow accents.

The culmination of all of these design choices results in a cohesive space that has been custom-tailored for our client's needs...

If you’re interested in scheduling a consultation to discuss how I can assist you with creating YOUR Home Sanctuary Design, you are welcome to email me at maryarosehines@gmail.com. The initial meeting is free to get clear on your goals and see if we are a good fit. From there I provide a quote based on your budget.

You can learn more about my work at: www.homesanctuarydesign.com