A Small Green Bathroom

The primary bathroom in the 1886 cottage we are renovating was added in 2010. Prior to that, the only bathroom in the house was on the first floor off the kitchen, in the very back of the house. The only bedrooms in the house were on the second floor. So it was an awkward layout which we decided to address when we did the first renovation on the house. We decided to add a full bathroom to the second floor, in a large open area at the top of the stairs, outside both bedrooms. There was a 6' x 9' space we were able to squeeze a decent bathroom into, but under the sloped roof, since we opened up the ceiling above the room. A skylight helped add some character and lots of light. We used a simple pedestal sink and a 4-1/2' bathtub and classic white unglazed hex tile, which was a good choice since it is timeless and neutral. We sell a version that is virtually identical, the Gotham Collection of hex tile. 

Here is the original bathroom we added in 2010:

This time around we decided to add some sort of vanity and switch the small tub out for a walk-in shower which guests like in our experience. Since this is being renovated into an STR (short-term rental), our design decisions are being driven by budget and guest-friendly choices. We want it to feel like a vacation home but stand up to heavy use. 

Our tub to shower project started pretty simple until we tried to find a 4-1/2' shower pan. This turned into a 5' shower pan which ended up forcing us to move one wall of the shower to reframe it. No problem! That done, tile began, and we quickly decided to run the new tile higher up the wall than we had run the old tile. Well this ended up continuing until we ended up tiling the ceiling too, which looked much better. Thankfully, we were able to get more tile pretty easily since it is a style we sell. It is a favorite, called the Chester Collection, this is the sage color in 3" x 6". This is different than the subway tile you get at big box stores, the handmade look and surface variations make it a more visually interesting choice than the standard subways you see everywhere. 

We used Delta's Linden collection shower set in Champagne Bronze, which is a variation on Brushed Brass. 

We decided to create our own vanity using salvaged solid surface quartz with an old Singer sewing machine base. We added a Kingston Brass vessel sink and used a Kingston Brass monoblock faucet in brushed brass. I'm wishing the faucet had a wider spout reach but this works. The towel ring is from the Gatco Elevate collection.

The LED mirror is from Wayfair, a company I use but have not had particularly good experiences with. Things seem to arrive broken, or missing parts, or go on backorder, or out of stock, pretty regularly. And trying to resolve problems with them is excruciating in my experience. But it fits the space well and solves both a lighting problem and the mirror need.

So the wallpaper is something I created on Spoonflower, after struggling to find the perfect wallpaper for this small wall. If you have not visited this site, go there next, after you finish reading this. Designs are uploaded by illustrators, designers, artists, or people like me who love graphic design and William Morris. I found a royalty-free illustration of Morris's "Blackthorn" design which I scaled and duplicated into a larger run of the pattern, and cleaned up the edges so they meet up *almost* perfectly. This is the original artwork I worked from:

It is a peel and stick adhesive wallpaper which was easy to install. I will be making this available for sale on Spoonflower soon, and the design will also be available as a fabric. I ordered the design in a heavy upholstery weight fabric to cover an Eastlake chair that is in the bedroom across from this bathroom. More on that later! 

All we have left to do is add the glass half wall which will enclose the walk-in shower on the faucet side. More photos after that is installed!