Our clients purchased their 1970s home in Prairie Village in 2022 and fell in love with many of the unique elements that already existed. Much of the home had already recently been renovated. They came to us with several bathrooms that they wanted to update to match the rest of the home. The biggest transformation was a guest bathroom that had largely been left untouched. It was an outdated vision in oak veneer and the fixtures and finishings that had long lost their luster. Our clients enjoyed the original retro design but felt the current look was a little extreme. Kelly Summers and Lindsay Brungardt worked with our clients to provide the space with a contemporary update that hinted at its retro past.
The Guest Bath Before
The original bathroom was decked out in oak and the overall style was overly reminiscent of the 1970s aesthetic. This bathroom also had a separate shower and tub. Our clients wanted to embrace the old retro design without the overwhelming effect of the old oak finishes. They also wanted to add more storage.
Changing the Layout
To give our clients the storage they needed, we converted the old shower in to a linen closet. The shelving across from the vanity was also removed to give back some square footage.
Before
After
Creating the Updated Bath: Inspiration
A New Retro Guest Bath
Now a vision in sterling white, natural walnut, and variegated teal, this upgraded primary bath more
accurately reflects our client’s mid-century modern aesthetic. The new look hints at the previous design with rounded edges where appropriate and graphic details. To solve our client’s lack of storage, we combined the tub and shower then transformed the old shower in to a linen closet. Opposite the vanity, we removed the open shelving that lacked functionality which allowed for more space.
The vanity is definitely the centerpiece of this new design! To make the space brighter and more cohesive with the rest of the home, our clients chose a neutral palette with a pop of color. The sinks are modest in size to conserve counterspace. We replaced the full mirror pane with two mid-century inspired vanity mirrors that pair well with the new globe lighting. All the newly acquired wall space made for the perfect counter-to-ceiling backsplash. The cabinets also demand attention with floating frameless drawer fronts in walnut with a stunning horizontal grain match; a testament to craftsmanship.
In order to add the linen closet our client wanted, we combined the tub and shower to free up square footage. The shower before was awkward with a faucet that was almost at floor level. The new shower features a handheld shower head and faucet installed at an appropriate height. Glossy, white, tub-to-ceiling 3×12″ tile was installed vertically to create the surround. Opposite the fixture we included a small niche for toiletries.
This partition wall already had a curved glass cut-out that we thought added a unique look to this half of the bathroom. We elected to keep it in tact and replaced the oak finish with drywall. The shape adds to the overall retro aesthetic and the new look gives it subtlety.
Our clients are loving the updated design that completes the entire look of the house. Now every room is a homage to the retrograde aesthetic, but elevated with modern design, craftsmanship, and technology. Do you have a space that’s holding you back from your dream look? Contact our design team to get started!
Take a look at more of our Prairie Village projects here!