Sometimes interior designing is glamorous and fun, and sometimes it can be filled with drudgery and indecision. Recently, I made the tough decision to close my design business so I can be more available to my kids, and instead focus on this blog since it allows me to be creative and get my hands dirty with design projects, while still being able to stay home with a sick kid if needed.
So, with a heavy heart, I took on one last design project with one of my favorite clients, Angie. I love working with Angie because she has great taste and doesn't hesitate to make decisions. Truly, she made most of her own design choices, with just a little guidance from me along the way. Together we had the most efficient trips ever to the tile and design stores. We'd go in, select a few options, reject a few, and bam! Done in an hour. (If you've ever tried picking all the finishes for a bathroom at one time, you know what an accomplishment that is.) Thanks Angie, for being so much fun to work with, and making my last project such a beautiful one!
By the way, Angie writes a great food-allergy recipe blog called ConsciousEatery.com. Check it out for lots of fun and creative recipes, especially if you need to avoid certain foods.
Without further ado, let's get on to some pictures, shall we?
Angie started her project by wanting to redo her master bathroom. And while we're at it, maybe a little touch up on the master bedroom too. And we better do the guest bath down the hall too...
Angie and her family had contemplated moving to another house, but decided to stay put for a while longer, so every decision we made was primarily for their own wishes, but also with a little bit of resale value in mind as well.
Master Bath:
The master bath started out a bit cramped and dark, in spite of a window with plenty of natural light. Plus, it only had a one-sink vanity and a shower stall with no tub.
The first thing we did was move the wall between their master bathroom and bedroom, just 18 inches into the bedroom. It was enough to allow for a double vanity in the bathroom, and full sized shower/bath and extra cabinet, without taking away too much space from the bedroom. Now that the remodel is done, they don't even notice a difference in bedroom space, but they sure notice all the room in the bathroom.
To save more space along the wall, we also used a pocket door, and sized it a bit wider than their old folding door, so it doesn't feel cramped coming and going between rooms anymore.
We chose a durable wood-look porcelain tile for the floor, and a furniture-style vanity, so that they could slide their scale under the vanity when they're not using it, to save valuable floor space.
For the countertop, we chose a quartz that's reminiscent of Carrara marble, but with the ease and durability needed in a hardworking bathroom. From there, we picked beautiful colors and finishes, all with a spa-like quality, and pulled it all together with a gorgeous and serene print from a friend, Ruth Simons. You can find more of Ruth's inspiring work on her website, Gracelaced.com.
Angie found this amazing marble mosaic tile online for the vanity wall backsplash. It was so gorgeous, she decided to cover the whole wall with it, rather than just a few inches. Then we carried it into the shower as an accent to the oversized subway tiles.
Master Bedroom:
With the master bath mostly done, and the wall moved, we turned our attention to the master bedroom. It had been fine, but the colors and furniture no longer suited Angie's style, and she was hoping for something a little more modern. Plus, once she saw how beautiful the bathroom was becoming, she knew she wanted the bedroom to match. The red sponge-painted wall and heavy mission furniture had to go.
All we needed to do was change out all the furniture in the bedroom, as well as the carpet and wall colors. 
Now it all ties in the with the bathroom for a relaxing master suite retreat experience.
Guest Bath:
Finally, we tackled the guest bath, otherwise known as the kids' bath. 
The very first thing we decided on was a skylight to bring in sunlight, since the bathroom is on the interior of the house with no natural light of its own. The skylight changed everything! Now, with gorgeous tiling and vanity, even this bathroom feels like a spa.
To increase storage and organization without adding medicine cabinets, Angie chose a double vanity with tower. With all the new natural light in the room, she was able to go with a beautiful dark wood stain.
We chose a sophisticated gray subway tile to coordinate with the sleek feel of the cabinetry, and painted the walls in a neutral tone. Most of the colors in this room are neutral, with a few pops of aqua to keep it interesting and fun. Now it's not just a kids' bathroom, but an inviting guest bath as well.
Here are a few resources from the makeover, in case you're wondering where to find similar items.
- Most of the bathroom linens are from Target.
- The bedroom linens (or similar) can be found on Overstock.com.
- Bathroom fixtures are Moen.
- Wall colors are Sherwin Williams.
- Cabinet hardware is from Lowes.
This has been such a fun makeover for me, and a wonderful way to sign off from my design business. Thank you to all my wonderful and inspiring clients!
Angie Morris says
Wow, you captured everything so beautifully! Thank you so much for your help, insight, creativity, and friendship! We love our house now!
Meredith says
I'm so glad! It was so great working with you and I'm so happy that you're happy. (I must confess I want to copy all this into my house now!) 😉
Jennifer says
looks amazing Angie!!! how fun to do that!!!
rachel621 says
Holy cow! Great job on all of it! I went pin-crazy on this post. The skylight is genius! We need to renovate both the bathrooms upstairs and I love the style.
Meredith says
Thank you Rachel! Pin-crazy is the best kind of crazy. 🙂
jacquiegum says
Stunning! And affordable! Love the colors, too.
Meredith says
Thanks Jacquie!
Alicia says
I love when grey is used and it brings warmth to a room. You now have a "new" house again because the changes were big. I think it looks amazing! Congrats Sissy.
Meredith says
Gotta love gray!
Donna Janke says
Great bathroom and bedroom make-over. Elegant and relaxing. I'm also impressed with getting in and out of the store in an hour. Choices can be so overwhelming - your client obviously knew what she wanted and could decide quickly.
Meredith says
Thanks Donna! You're right, choices really can be overwhelming. That's why it can be helpful to have a designer or friend with you, to make down the options.
Jeri Walker (@JeriWB) says
Sorry to hear about the decision to close your design business, but it sounds like you have a good plan. I'm glad you'll be keeping up the blog!
Meredith says
Thank you Jeri!
Phoenicia says
What a transformation!
The rooms are beautiful; the colours, modern design, attention to detail.
Are en-suites common place in America?
Meredith says
Thanks Phoenicia! Yes, most houses here are built with an en-suite. We're kind of spoiled that way.
Sabrina Q. says
Wow! That is so beautiful! I love all the pictures. My husband and I love tile that looks like wood. I think the last picture has the tile we used in our newly remodeled kitchen. Thanks for sharing.
Meredith says
Thanks Sabrina! I loved both the tile choices of this project too.
Doreen Pendgracs says
Nice job, Meredith! I really love the colour combos and textures you have chosen. Relaxing, yet full of style.
Meredith says
Thank you Doreen!
Arleen says
I am sorry to hear that you decided to close your design business, but who knows you might open it again and start with a different perspective. I love the simplicity you put into your work and the use of soft colors that allows the room to speak without yelling. Great job.
Meredith says
Thanks for the encouragement Arleen!
Jeannette Paladino says
Meredit --- you're so good at what you do I'm sorry to hear you're closing your business. The bathrooms and bedroom turned out beautifully. But you have your priorities straight and you can always go back to designing when your kids are older.
Meredith says
Thanks, Jeannette, that is my hope. Appreciate your kind words!
lenie5860 says
Meredith. you are a genius. I love how you are able to change the entire look of a room - no one would know they are the same rooms as before.
Another thing I appreciate is the fact that all the products are easy to find at ordinary stores, not some hard to find boutiques.
I've pinned this because I want to come back to it again and again for reference.
Meredith says
Awww, thanks Lenie! That's what I love about decorating - with you a few changes you can totally reinvent a space.
Susan Cooper/findingourwaynow.com says
I covet your new bathroom. It has given me some ideas, much to my husband's dismay... LOL.
Meredith says
Ha! I'm pretty sure husbands everywhere hate me, it's part of the job description. 😉
SafariOnTheBlog says
Oh wow! This is beautiful. Elegant and all.
Meredith, you are one talented designer. The colours, style, attention to detail is top notch. Thanks for taking us on a virtual tour.
Well done x
Meredith says
Thank you so much!
Pamela@haartfelt says
OMG I'm staring at the before pictures trying to see what turned into what! They look like two different spaces, Amazing. Also, I think you made a wonderful life decision. I remember making the same decsion and it turned out to be one of my most rewarding choices. It's funny how as Moms we think we'll have more free time as our children grow, It's really just the opposite. Both my kids, who are now adults have "thanked me" (I know I can't believe it either) , for being so present and involved during their adolescence,
Meredith says
Thank you Pamela! That's such an encouragement to hear. We never know what impact your choices will have on our families, but we just try to make the best decisions we can.
thesummeryumbrella says
OH my GOODNESS, Meredith!! What a fabulous job you have done!! Everything is simply gorgeous, but that shower curtain is making me swoon. It totally reminds me of a wedding dress. LOVE!
Meredith says
Thank you! I agree, that's one of my favorite pieces of this makeover!
William Rusho says
The bathrooms are gorgeous, I liked the color cordinations. I got some very good ideas when I redo mine. Thank you for sharing this with us.
Meredith says
Thank you William!
heraldmarty says
What a difference! Meredith these are simply stunning. I can imagine your clients will be very sorry to lose you, but at the same time I can certainly understand the reasoning behind your decision.
Meredith says
Thanks for the encouragement Marty!
Dave J Baker says
What a wonderful project to close things out, Meredith. It went from okay rooms to dazzling artistic rooms. Bravo!
Meredith says
Thanks! It's nice to end on a high note. 🙂
Home Jobs by MOM (@HomeJobsbyMOM) says
I love the idea of being able to slide the scale under the vanity. I need that! I have to prop mine up against the wall when I am done with it :-/
Meredith says
Me too! In my own bathroom, I compromised by buying a pretty one.
queenmommyjen says
What beautiful and refreshing spaces! Such clean, bright lines with great splashes of color! Now I want it 🙂 Honey!!! He may not respond very quickly....
Meredith says
Ha! If he's anything like my Honey, he'll be running in the other direction! Thanks for such a sweet (and funny) comment.
Mamabee says
The master bath remodel (as well as the rest of the rooms) is gorgeous! May I please ask the brand and color name of the wood floor tile? We are about to remodel our bath and that floor is exactly what we are looking for! You did such a wonderful job on this! ?
Meredith says
Thank you so much! The floor tile is from Daltile. It was called Legno, and the color is Grigio. The grout is Laticrete #24 "Natural Gray." Hope that helps, and good luck with your remodel!
kristin howard says
You certainly captured the spa feeling you all were oing for. Where did you find the Master Bath vanity. It has inspired me to consider my own re-do.
Meredith says
Thank you Kristin! The cabinets were custom made for the house. If you can find a good cabinet guy, they should be able to recreate them.