Bathroom of the Week: An Open Feeling in 125 Square Feet
A designer helps an Oklahoma couple lose a tub, expand a shower and add a soothing palette of tans, taupes and creams
Bad space planning can have a tremendously negative effect on how a room functions. That was the case for Stephen and Linda Bruner’s 125-square-foot bathroom in Edmond, Oklahoma. A large, rarely used jetted tub took up one corner, forcing an awkward angle that carried over to a narrow shower stall and L-shaped vanity. A separate tiny vanity was crammed into another corner and butted up against the entrance to the bathroom. The difficult layout wasted space and created dysfunctional circulation.
The Bruners wanted a more comfortable space and to update the 1990s-era finishes, which included 25-year-old striped wallpaper. They hired designer Kirby Foster Hurd and builder Eric Stewart, and gathered inspiration ideas on Houzz. Foster Hurd streamlined the layout by eliminating the tub, expanding the shower and adding a custom double vanity on one wall. A slim built-in linen cabinet replaced the former small corner vanity. And sandy walls, creamy shower tiles and a taupe vanity base deliver a warm, embracing style.
The Bruners wanted a more comfortable space and to update the 1990s-era finishes, which included 25-year-old striped wallpaper. They hired designer Kirby Foster Hurd and builder Eric Stewart, and gathered inspiration ideas on Houzz. Foster Hurd streamlined the layout by eliminating the tub, expanding the shower and adding a custom double vanity on one wall. A slim built-in linen cabinet replaced the former small corner vanity. And sandy walls, creamy shower tiles and a taupe vanity base deliver a warm, embracing style.
After: Foster Hurd and Stewart knocked the bathroom back to the studs and eliminated the old shower stall, linen closet, corner tub and window over the tub.
The homeowners saved money by keeping the 12-by-24-inch ceramic tile flooring in a matte finish, which had been installed a few years earlier. “The homeowners had enough for patching purposes where we reconfigured the layout of the bathroom,” Foster Hurd says.
With the tub gone, Foster Hurd created an expanded shower with a custom frameless glass enclosure. A double-vanity now spans the side wall. Foster Hurd eliminated the door to the couple’s closet and incorporated the old linen closet space into the main closet. The knotty alder door to the left of the shower now leads to the expanded closet (see last image for floor plan). “We gained additional space in our master closet by removing the tub and linen closet,” Bruner says.
A new knotty alder pocket door to the left of the the closet door leads to the water closet. A custom maple linen cabinet replaced the former corner vanity (see third and fourth photos below).
A slim window in the shower brings in light while providing privacy. “I really wanted natural light in the bathroom,” Bruner says.
The new color palette is seen in warm tan walls, ceiling and trim (Stucco by Sherwin-Williams), an earthy taupe vanity (Nearly Brown by Sherwin-Williams) and creamy shower tiles that vary in tone.
Shop for a double bathroom vanity
The homeowners saved money by keeping the 12-by-24-inch ceramic tile flooring in a matte finish, which had been installed a few years earlier. “The homeowners had enough for patching purposes where we reconfigured the layout of the bathroom,” Foster Hurd says.
With the tub gone, Foster Hurd created an expanded shower with a custom frameless glass enclosure. A double-vanity now spans the side wall. Foster Hurd eliminated the door to the couple’s closet and incorporated the old linen closet space into the main closet. The knotty alder door to the left of the shower now leads to the expanded closet (see last image for floor plan). “We gained additional space in our master closet by removing the tub and linen closet,” Bruner says.
A new knotty alder pocket door to the left of the the closet door leads to the water closet. A custom maple linen cabinet replaced the former corner vanity (see third and fourth photos below).
A slim window in the shower brings in light while providing privacy. “I really wanted natural light in the bathroom,” Bruner says.
The new color palette is seen in warm tan walls, ceiling and trim (Stucco by Sherwin-Williams), an earthy taupe vanity (Nearly Brown by Sherwin-Williams) and creamy shower tiles that vary in tone.
Shop for a double bathroom vanity
The expanded shower includes fixtures and a decorative grab bar in a rich Venetian bronze finish.
The 5-by-5-inch creamy wall tiles are glazed ceramic in a glossy finish. The varying tones mimic a handmade look. “The tiles stay true to the original style of the home, but still update it and elevate the design,” Foster Hurd says.
Tempered-glass corner shelves hold shower products. “The husband has a bad back, so he wanted to make sure his storage was at a level that was easily reachable for him,” Foster Hurd says.
Shower fixtures: 3-setting shower head and 3-setting slide-bar hand shower, both in Venetian bronze, Delta Faucet; shower wall tile: Cloe in Creme, 5 by 5 inches, Bedrosians Tile and Stone
The 5-by-5-inch creamy wall tiles are glazed ceramic in a glossy finish. The varying tones mimic a handmade look. “The tiles stay true to the original style of the home, but still update it and elevate the design,” Foster Hurd says.
Tempered-glass corner shelves hold shower products. “The husband has a bad back, so he wanted to make sure his storage was at a level that was easily reachable for him,” Foster Hurd says.
Shower fixtures: 3-setting shower head and 3-setting slide-bar hand shower, both in Venetian bronze, Delta Faucet; shower wall tile: Cloe in Creme, 5 by 5 inches, Bedrosians Tile and Stone
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Taj Mahal quartzite tops a built-in shower bench and coordinates with the vanity countertop, top of the pony wall and low-curb shower threshold.
The control for the shower is located on the right, just inside the shower on the pony wall. “We wanted to make sure they had easy access to turn the shower valve on,” Foster Hurd says. She also made sure the handheld shower could reach across to the bench.
Recessed niches near the bench store products and keep them hidden from view. “That’s something I really wanted,” Bruner says.
A long niche on the bench provides a spot for resting a foot while shaving legs.
The shower floor is 1-by-1-inch honed mosaic tile in brown, cream and ivory. “The smaller grout lines provide good grip,” Foster Hurd says. “Another important element was that the shower floor does a great job of tying together all the colors you see in this bathroom.”
Before and After: 5 Bathroom Remodels That Free The Tub
The control for the shower is located on the right, just inside the shower on the pony wall. “We wanted to make sure they had easy access to turn the shower valve on,” Foster Hurd says. She also made sure the handheld shower could reach across to the bench.
Recessed niches near the bench store products and keep them hidden from view. “That’s something I really wanted,” Bruner says.
A long niche on the bench provides a spot for resting a foot while shaving legs.
The shower floor is 1-by-1-inch honed mosaic tile in brown, cream and ivory. “The smaller grout lines provide good grip,” Foster Hurd says. “Another important element was that the shower floor does a great job of tying together all the colors you see in this bathroom.”
Before and After: 5 Bathroom Remodels That Free The Tub
Before: The L-shaped vanity and makeup area crowded a corner. A soffit with dated lighting loomed above.
New to home remodeling? Learn the basics
New to home remodeling? Learn the basics
After: The new 36-inch-high custom double maple vanity with an earthy taupe base and a Taj Mahal quartzite top streamlines the layout. “It makes the bathroom appear so much larger,” Bruner says. The colors coordinate with the wall and shower tiles.
Two soft-close drawers provide storage under each sink. The top drawers tip open and include contemporary round cabinet pulls.
The other drawers have 6- and 10-inch cabinet pulls. “I always go with the size that most complements the width and size of the drawers,” Foster Hurd says. “Going with the larger pull is definitely easier for the homeowners to manage day to day.” The cabinet hardware has an oil-rubbed-bronze finish.
A 33-inch-high floating makeup counter with seating in the center includes a drawer for makeup and skin products. “We did a pop-up outlet with an oil-rubbed-bronze finish [seen towards the back of the vanity counter], so Linda can plug in a curling iron or her hair dryer,” Foster Hurd says.
A muted red, black and taupe rug brings in the tones of the rich woods, oil-rubbed bronze and sandy colors.
The knotty alder pocket door to the right of the vanity opens to a hallway leading to the couple’s bedroom.
Vanity hardware: contemporary 1⅛-inch round knob and contemporary 6- and 10-inch handle pulls in oil-rubbed bronze, Emtek
Two soft-close drawers provide storage under each sink. The top drawers tip open and include contemporary round cabinet pulls.
The other drawers have 6- and 10-inch cabinet pulls. “I always go with the size that most complements the width and size of the drawers,” Foster Hurd says. “Going with the larger pull is definitely easier for the homeowners to manage day to day.” The cabinet hardware has an oil-rubbed-bronze finish.
A 33-inch-high floating makeup counter with seating in the center includes a drawer for makeup and skin products. “We did a pop-up outlet with an oil-rubbed-bronze finish [seen towards the back of the vanity counter], so Linda can plug in a curling iron or her hair dryer,” Foster Hurd says.
A muted red, black and taupe rug brings in the tones of the rich woods, oil-rubbed bronze and sandy colors.
The knotty alder pocket door to the right of the vanity opens to a hallway leading to the couple’s bedroom.
Vanity hardware: contemporary 1⅛-inch round knob and contemporary 6- and 10-inch handle pulls in oil-rubbed bronze, Emtek
The two-handle wide-spread faucets and towel ring have a Venetian bronze finish that coordinates with the shower fixtures, cabinet hardware, bronze-frame mirrors and bronze sconces that flank each mirror.
“The lights are on dimmers, so you can wind down before bed,” Foster Hurd says.
Faucets: Cassidy in Venetian bronze, Delta Faucet; mirrors: Astor arch wall mirror in bronze, Bellacor; sconces: Vendome in bronze, Visual Comfort; towel ring: Cassidy in Venetian Bronze, Delta Faucet
“The lights are on dimmers, so you can wind down before bed,” Foster Hurd says.
Faucets: Cassidy in Venetian bronze, Delta Faucet; mirrors: Astor arch wall mirror in bronze, Bellacor; sconces: Vendome in bronze, Visual Comfort; towel ring: Cassidy in Venetian Bronze, Delta Faucet
Before: Stephen used the compact corner vanity. “The main issue here was that it was super isolated and didn’t make a whole lot of sense to me,” Foster Hurd says.
After: With the new double vanity in place, Foster Hurd created a tall custom maple linen cabinet painted in the same color as the vanity. “The mirrored front makes the room look larger,” she says. “This built-in piece is directly across from their closet, so they can see themselves as they get dressed and ready in the morning.”
The linen cabinet has adjustable shelves and an outlet for a coffee maker or a device-charging station. The bottom doors open to a hamper for dirty linens.
The linen cabinet has adjustable shelves and an outlet for a coffee maker or a device-charging station. The bottom doors open to a hamper for dirty linens.
This floor plan shows the new layout with the expanded shower at upper right. The door to the left of the shower opens to a spacious closet.
The bathroom now gives the couple the comfortable, stylish space they needed. “It’s brighter, more functional, and the shower is fantastic,” Bruner says.
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The bathroom now gives the couple the comfortable, stylish space they needed. “It’s brighter, more functional, and the shower is fantastic,” Bruner says.
More on Houzz
Read more bathroom stories
Browse bathroom photos
Find a bathroom designer
Shop for your bathroom
Bathroom at a Glance
Who lives here: Stephen and Linda Bruner
Location: Edmond, Oklahoma
Size: 125 square feet (12 square meters)
Designer: Kirby Foster Hurd of Kirby Home Designs
Builder: Eric Stewart of Stewart Carpentry & Home Repair
Before: The existing large corner tub and shower stall created awkward angles. The L-shaped vanity wrapped the right wall just inside the entryway, while the compact vanity crowded the inside corner on the left. “There was so much wasted space with all those weird angles,” Foster Hurd says. “They also said they’d rather not have a tub and just wanted a larger shower.”
A varnished brick pony wall outside the shower seemed oddly out of place as well, and the striped wallpaper anchored the space in the past.
A large window over the tub sat just a few feet from the neighboring house. “I very rarely opened those blinds,” Linda Bruner says. The thin door to the left of the shower opened to a narrow built-in linen closet. The partially seen door to the left of the linen closet led to the couple’s main closet.
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