Room of the Day: A Luxury Master Bathroom With a Historic Feel
A Napa, California, couple overhaul the only bathroom in their first home to replace a clunky layout and unwelcoming finishes
Having recently bought their first home — a bungalow in Napa’s historic district — Carlisle and Paul Englehardt were eager to renovate the awkward, outdated bathroom. The young couple with an interest in historic preservation wanted the new design to pay homage to the period of the home but also feel like an upscale luxury hotel bathroom.
AFTER: This is the only bathroom in the house, so designer Lisa Mende wanted to make efficient use of the space to better function for the couple as well as visitors.
The design began with the slipper tub, one of the items on Carlisle’s wish list. The tub is the focal point of the room and contributes to the luxe hotel look the couple were aiming for with the design, Mende says. Luckily, the 60-inch-long tub fit on the limited wall space, as well as through the doorway. Since this photo was taken, a pole-mounted shower was added.
With generous 9-foot-high ceilings, there was room for a stunning vintage 1920s feature light fixture.
Oak Hill Freestanding Soaking Tub: DXV by American Standard; tub fittings: Randall Wall Mount Tub Faucet in platinum nickel, DXV by American Standard
The design began with the slipper tub, one of the items on Carlisle’s wish list. The tub is the focal point of the room and contributes to the luxe hotel look the couple were aiming for with the design, Mende says. Luckily, the 60-inch-long tub fit on the limited wall space, as well as through the doorway. Since this photo was taken, a pole-mounted shower was added.
With generous 9-foot-high ceilings, there was room for a stunning vintage 1920s feature light fixture.
Oak Hill Freestanding Soaking Tub: DXV by American Standard; tub fittings: Randall Wall Mount Tub Faucet in platinum nickel, DXV by American Standard
The sink stayed in the same location but was traded up for a new but vintage-looking console style with polished chrome front legs that better fit the style of the bungalow than the Victorian sink previously in the bathroom.
Oak Hill Console Sink: DXV by American Standard; Oak Hill Wall Mount Bathroom Faucet in platinum nickel: DXV by American Standard
Oak Hill Console Sink: DXV by American Standard; Oak Hill Wall Mount Bathroom Faucet in platinum nickel: DXV by American Standard
Mende specified an optional marble sink shelf to help compensate for the lack of counter space.
The mirror looks like something out of a fancy dressing room, but it was an online purchase personalized with the couple’s initials etched into the top.
A pair of sconces with star-shaped embellishments mimic the design of the pendant fixture.
Mirror: from Ballard Designs, but no longer available; sconces: Etoile Sconce in nickel from Circa Lighting
A pair of sconces with star-shaped embellishments mimic the design of the pendant fixture.
Mirror: from Ballard Designs, but no longer available; sconces: Etoile Sconce in nickel from Circa Lighting
Installing porcelain tile with a marble look instead of actual marble was a cost savings, which, Mende says, allowed for greater opportunity to splurge on plumbing fixtures. Further unifying the luxury design concept, the subway tile, chair rail, crown molding and baseboard are all coordinating tile from the same collection. Floor tile installed in a herringbone pattern helps break up the length and add visual interest.
A delicately patterned wallpaper in aqua and white provides a backdrop of soothing color to the otherwise neutral space. Mende had the window shade custom-made using a gray French grosgrain ribbon as decorative trim.
Tile and coordinating trim: Virtue Collection from Crossville; wallpaper: Tulsi Block Print in aqua by Thibaut; artwork: by Kerry Steele Art
A delicately patterned wallpaper in aqua and white provides a backdrop of soothing color to the otherwise neutral space. Mende had the window shade custom-made using a gray French grosgrain ribbon as decorative trim.
Tile and coordinating trim: Virtue Collection from Crossville; wallpaper: Tulsi Block Print in aqua by Thibaut; artwork: by Kerry Steele Art
Where the looming shower used to stand sits a smaller-profile toilet with a round seat to offer more circulation between the sink and toilet. “Every inch in this bathroom made a difference in the design and functionality of the space,” Mende says.
Fitzgerald Round Front Toilet: DXV by American Standard
Project management: Lauren Tapper
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Fitzgerald Round Front Toilet: DXV by American Standard
Project management: Lauren Tapper
More
Bathroom Workbook: How Much Does a Bathroom Remodel Cost?
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Bathroom at a Glance
Who lives here: Carlisle and Paul Englehardt
Location: Napa, California
Size: 60 square feet (5.6 square meters); 10 by 6 feet (3 by 1.8 meters)
Designer: Lisa Mende Design
BEFORE: Bathroom layouts in older houses can be clumsy, and this one was no exception. The shower was in the middle of the bathroom, awkwardly dividing the space and obscuring natural light from the window, which overlooks a toilet.
Aside from the cumbersome plan, the beige floor tile and wainscoting made the bathroom feel even darker and amplified its utilitarian, unwelcoming vibe. When this photo was taken, the Englehardts had already removed dark Victorian-style floral wallpaper on the upper wall.