Custom Tile and Dream Vanity Storage Set This Bathroom Apart
A designer works with her clients to create a teal accent wall and a vanity with custom storage cubbies
Teal wall. The blue tile wall brings in the bold accent color the couple wanted and initially draws everyone’s attention.
The client’s favorite color is teal, and she loved the shape of these fish-scale tiles. Together, they create a playful accent wall behind the freestanding tub. They also decided to use four different tones of teal to give the wall an ocean look. “This takes a special person to be brave enough to do because you have to love the pattern and color,” Fitzgerald says. Beyond looking great, the ceramic tiles are also durable and easy to clean.
Shower walls. The rest of the walls in the room, including the shower, are made up of two kinds of white tile: one with a wave texture and another that’s smooth. The wave detailing adds depth to the space while still keeping the neutral color palette. “Wave walls are a trend, and most people like a monochromatic mix of the textures and patterns so it’s not so boring,” Fitzgerald says.
Shower. Functionally, the clients wanted a walk-in shower large enough for two shower spots. At the end of the shower, Fitzgerald included a marble bench. In total, the shower takes up 33 square feet.
For added storage, Fitzgerald added two niches in the shower walls. By using glass shower doors, the room feels more cohesive and lets light flood into the shower from the skylight, Fitzgerald says.
Lighting. Two cloud-shaped pendants hang from the 11-foot ceiling. “They are definitely more decorative,” Fitzgerald says. Fitzgerald hung the pendants at different heights to soften the room’s look and add interest above the tub.
Overhead, the skylight lets in a lot of light and has a remote control sunshade installed over it.
Wave tiles: Oxo Line Blanco, Porcelanosa; white tiles: Marmi China, Porcelanosa; fish scale tile: Caribbean Blue, Mercury Mosaics; pendants: White Cloud, Possini Euro Design Lighting, Lamps Plus; tub: Badeloft
Browse bathroom tile
The client’s favorite color is teal, and she loved the shape of these fish-scale tiles. Together, they create a playful accent wall behind the freestanding tub. They also decided to use four different tones of teal to give the wall an ocean look. “This takes a special person to be brave enough to do because you have to love the pattern and color,” Fitzgerald says. Beyond looking great, the ceramic tiles are also durable and easy to clean.
Shower walls. The rest of the walls in the room, including the shower, are made up of two kinds of white tile: one with a wave texture and another that’s smooth. The wave detailing adds depth to the space while still keeping the neutral color palette. “Wave walls are a trend, and most people like a monochromatic mix of the textures and patterns so it’s not so boring,” Fitzgerald says.
Shower. Functionally, the clients wanted a walk-in shower large enough for two shower spots. At the end of the shower, Fitzgerald included a marble bench. In total, the shower takes up 33 square feet.
For added storage, Fitzgerald added two niches in the shower walls. By using glass shower doors, the room feels more cohesive and lets light flood into the shower from the skylight, Fitzgerald says.
Lighting. Two cloud-shaped pendants hang from the 11-foot ceiling. “They are definitely more decorative,” Fitzgerald says. Fitzgerald hung the pendants at different heights to soften the room’s look and add interest above the tub.
Overhead, the skylight lets in a lot of light and has a remote control sunshade installed over it.
Wave tiles: Oxo Line Blanco, Porcelanosa; white tiles: Marmi China, Porcelanosa; fish scale tile: Caribbean Blue, Mercury Mosaics; pendants: White Cloud, Possini Euro Design Lighting, Lamps Plus; tub: Badeloft
Browse bathroom tile
Floors. A quarter-inch threshold separates the 12-by-24 inch gray floor tile from the smaller tile used in the shower. Fitzgerald likes to use a smaller tile inside the shower because shower areas uninterrupted by grout make it easier to slip.
Bathtub. The couple picked a curved tub that matches the curves on the accent wall behind it. Its matte finish also balances out the glossy teal tile, Fitzgerald says.
The decorative bamboo tray functions as a tub deck for candles, tea and wine. It also adds warmth to the space and matches the vanity.
Large floor tiles: Ann Sacks
Find bathtub caddies
Bathtub. The couple picked a curved tub that matches the curves on the accent wall behind it. Its matte finish also balances out the glossy teal tile, Fitzgerald says.
The decorative bamboo tray functions as a tub deck for candles, tea and wine. It also adds warmth to the space and matches the vanity.
Large floor tiles: Ann Sacks
Find bathtub caddies
Faucet. The faucets are built into a tiled box that covers the plumbing and gives the homeowners a place to set objects like soap.
Vanity. Across from the tub, the couple has a vanity with two sinks. The vanity, designed by Fitzgerald, is made of bamboo with a marble countertop.
The four large drawers give the room a sleek, simple look. Inside, Fitzgerald gave them many smaller storage options. A customized project like this costs about $8,000, which includes the countertop with the waterfall edge.
Mirrors. A mirror, which doubles as a medicine cabinet, was mounted above each sink. Then, Fitzgerald added three 19-inch-high LED vanity lights.
Vanity countertop: Brittanicca, Marble Collection, Cambria; vanity lighting: Blade, Platinum Collection, Lamps Plus; cabinetry: custom, Plain & Fancy Custom Cabinetry
The four large drawers give the room a sleek, simple look. Inside, Fitzgerald gave them many smaller storage options. A customized project like this costs about $8,000, which includes the countertop with the waterfall edge.
Mirrors. A mirror, which doubles as a medicine cabinet, was mounted above each sink. Then, Fitzgerald added three 19-inch-high LED vanity lights.
Vanity countertop: Brittanicca, Marble Collection, Cambria; vanity lighting: Blade, Platinum Collection, Lamps Plus; cabinetry: custom, Plain & Fancy Custom Cabinetry
Vanity storage. To understand what storage her clients needed, Fitzgerald opened all the drawers of the couple’s old vanity and took note of all its contents.
Then, she mapped out tiny drawers and dividers that could hold each item. Here’s a look inside one of the top drawers.
Then, she mapped out tiny drawers and dividers that could hold each item. Here’s a look inside one of the top drawers.
In the bottom drawer, Fitzgerald created a holder in the middle for the client’s curling irons and blow dryer. This deep drawer also holds tall toiletries and the trash can.
Contractor: James Construction
More
A Step-by-Step Guide to Designing Your Bathroom Vanity
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Contractor: James Construction
More
A Step-by-Step Guide to Designing Your Bathroom Vanity
Read more bathroom stories
Shop for bathroom products
Bathroom at a Glance
Who lives here: A young couple
Location: North Reading, Massachusetts
Size: 150 square feet (14 square meters)
Designer: Katie Fitzgerald of Right Angle Kitchen and Design
A young couple hired designer Katie Fitzgerald to help them remodel the top floor of their home. This bathroom was part of the remodel.
The space hadn’t been updated in 30 years, and the couple wanted to make it their dream bathroom sanctuary. While planning, the couple decided to have a mostly neutral bathroom with one accent color. Fitzgerald then showed them material options and created digital mood boards and layouts until they had a design everyone liked.
As part of the new design, the couple wanted a shower with two shower heads, more storage and a vanity countertop that wasn’t laminate. They also wanted the toilet in a separate, closed-off space, which is why it’s not shown here.