DES Home Renovations was chosen by these Lawrenceville, NJ natives to give this outdated 1983 bathroom a fresh makeover which we consider Timeless. The project was designed, developed, built, and managed by DES Home Renovations. Below we document the process and progress which led to the completion of this timeless renovation.

Overview

Drab and dated, it was time to remodel this original 1983 hall bathroom. The homeowners wanted a unique space that was more welcoming than an everyday bathroom. Yet it required a taller shower head and to be indestructible enough for their two teenage boys and offer plenty of storage for their younger daughter. With a traditional taste but a preference for timeless materials, we were able to come up with a nice blend for the new bathroom which is easy to clean and maintain.
 

Green & Sustainable Options:

Wedi Ecobath™ Tub Surround (Backer board)
Sherwin-Williams Harmony Interior Acrylic Latex Paint (Zero VOCs)
Laticrete Permacolor Select
Halo LED Recessed Lighting
Kohler WaterSense® toilet

Budget

Project cost: $15,000 – $20,000

Design Process

The biggest challenge was making something distinctive out of a very small space. All the fixtures had to remain in the same location so any interest would have to come from the design and materials. Additionally, everything had to be durable and reasonably priced.

The first element chosen was the Kohler Soaking Archer bathtub for its Comfort Depth design, as the Homeowner wanted a taller tub. This particular style allowed for a deep soaking experience with a low step-over height that is easy to enter and exit.

Next porcelain floor tile was selected for its durability and strength. Larger 12 x 24 tiles were used on the floor to visually enlarge the space and reduce grout line, Laticrete PermaColor Select in Silver Shadow was used to blend with the tile as close as possible.

Ceramic Subway tile was selected for the shower walls simply because it is a timeless and a classic material. It provides such a clean and tailored look, and speaks to a simple, classic, and low maintenance style that appeals. Laticrete PermaColor Select in Slate Gray was used to define the white without being too obtrusive and make the pattern of the subway tile more pronounced. A glass and marble mosaic accent was then added to the recessed niche as an interesting focal point.

The Shaker Cabinet style is commonly seen in contemporary bathrooms but is definitely a traditional look. Instead of the original double sink vanity, a single sink vanity was installed to allow for additional storage and counter space. Carrara Marble not only outfitted the cabinetry, but complimented the color scheme and accented the niche.

Proper task lighting at the mirror was important! The pair of sconces were mounted at eye level, equidistant from either side of the mirror without spilling over the side of the vanity to provide shadowless illumination. This created the best scenario for makeup application, shaving, tooth care and so on.

The Homeowners selected all their plumbing & electrical fixtures and paid directly to our Industry Trade Vendors, including the tile and cabinetry using our industry discount.
 

Build Process

2 Weeks 3 Days

Once the project was underway, our team discovered multiple issues hidden behind walls, flooring, & fixtures. Electrical & Plumbing violations, 1 1/2″ concrete w/ metal lath poured atop the plywood subfloor which happened to be 3/4″ out of level as well as framing of the existing structure.

Working with industry specialist allowed us to find solutions and address unforeseen issues, all while staying on schedule.

All Electrical & Plumbing violations were addressed during the rough to be inspected prior to drywall installations.

After completion of drywall installation and finish, the Subfloor was leveled and reinforced w/ Blanke Permat uncoupling membrane which allowed for pouring a selfleveler which does not bond over a plywood substrate. This method added substantial support to the existing subfloor which reduces deflection. Schluter Ditra was then installed on top of the now leveled subbfloor prior to floor tile installation & Wedi Building Panels were installed to shower wet wall as our tile backerboard and waterproofing agent making the bathroom water tight all before any tile installation.

The bathroom was then outfitted with all the finish materials and fixtures to complete the renovation of this timeless renovation.
 

Outcome

Overall this project went quite smoothly. The homeowners, extremely pleased with the outcome, this is what they had to say:

“When I started my research on finding a contractor for my bathroom renovation, it was overwhelming and I was definitely nervous about finding the right person for the job. From my very first meeting with Stephen Samuels, I was so impressed with his professional and thorough approach to every aspect of the project. He was extremely helpful and insightful with every decision that had to be made with regard to functionality and design. Dwight Samuels was top notch, along with every subcontractor that worked on the bathroom and my house was always left immaculately clean at the end of the work day. I loved receiving the weekly updates, keeping us apprised of what was happening on a daily basis and he was always available at a moments notice if I had a question. I could not be happier with the finished product and looking forward to having DES renovate my master bathroom in the very near future!”