Embarking on this project was an exhilarating journey that whisked us away to the enchanting shores of Italy. Our clients, freshly inspired by their recent trip to the land of rustic traditional Italian architecture and design, entrusted us with a unique mission: to transform their primary bathroom. The focal points of this home remodel were to infuse it with age-in-place functionality, expand the shower space, and usher in a fresh design perspective.
With these objectives in mind, our team set to work on reimagining the bathroom layout to enhance usability, ensuring it remains a comfortable sanctuary for our clients in the years ahead. This is our goal for all our home remodels, where function meets beautiful design custom-tailored to our clients.
Before we began, it was evident that the primary bathroom had not seen an upgrade since the mid-90s when the house was built. The room’s quirky L-shape posed some budgetary constraints, but we were determined to overcome them. The most glaring eyesores were the dated wallpaper, the compact prefab shower, and the oversized jetted tub tucked away in the corner. Our clients yearned for a more expansive, curbless shower, offering both accessibility and style as they age gracefully.
To achieve this, we decided to remove the bathtub and shower, making way for a spacious, newly tiled shower. This shower was designed to be curbless, meaning there are no barriers at its entrance, ensuring easy access for those using wheelchairs or walkers in the future. Using designs that are helpful for aging in place is very important to us and our clients.
The shower itself boasts remarkable flexibility. Our clients desired multiple showerheads, so we installed a traditional wall-mounted showerhead, a ceiling-mounted rainfall showerhead, and a handheld shower on a sliding bar. Handheld showers are a brilliant addition to age-in-place design, affording precise control over the water direction. When not needed, it can rest on the slider and function as a conventional showerhead. To enhance functionality, we crafted a tiled shower niche for soap and shampoo storage, accompanied by two sturdy grab bars.
Subsequent updates in the primary bathroom centered around aesthetics. In the main bath area, the sinks, faucets, and countertop in the vanity were replaced with elegant venetian gold granite. A new large, framed mirror, two towel rings, and fresh light fixtures were also added. Cabinets received a makeover, painted in a timeless off-white shade, while dated cabinet knobs were swapped with new ones that harmonized with the overall look of the bathroom. In addition, we replaced the toilet, exhaust fan, and light fixture in the water closet.
We replaced all the flooring in the main bath area, water closet, and closet and treated all the walls, ceilings, doors, and trim to fresh coats of paint. Walls were adorned with a tasteful beige hue, while trim and doors were finished in pristine bright white. We made minor but meaningful alterations, such as replacing the main bath area exhaust fan and adopting lever-style door handles, a wise choice for age-in-place design.
Italian design was the wellspring of inspiration for this project, guiding us toward warmth. Natural tones and materials harmonize with a blend of old-world charm and modern sensibility. The color palette, spanning paint, materials, and finish, is centered around monochromatic tones of beige and brown. Beige shades dominated the paint selection, while venetian bronze finishes fixtures and hardware. Even the light fixture globes radiated a gentle beige, amplifying the overall warmth of the space.
Italian design exudes ornate beauty, featuring graceful curves, intricate swirls, and ornamental details. Every fixture and piece of hardware for this bathroom remodel was meticulously chosen to embody this opulence, elevating the bathroom‘s aesthetic to a luxurious level. The shower tiles were selected with the utmost care, opting for the timeless elegance of travertine. The shower floor and wall tiles now showcase a captivating light beige tumbled travertine, introducing texture and depth to the space.
Our clients were thrilled with the stunning final result. Our remodeling work not only enhanced the bathroom’s functionality but added an irresistible charm. Walking into this transformed space is like taking a voyage to a picturesque Italian villa. We were ecstatic that they entrusted us to create a space that effortlessly blends style and practicality, ensuring many years of luxurious comfort.
