After relocating from New York City to Kansas City three years ago, our clients felt like they’d won the space lottery. Transitioning from a cramped NYC apartment to a 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom Cape Cod-style home in Fairway with sprawling green spaces, they finally had room to breathe. While they loved their new home, they knew their primary bathroom needed a little TLC.
They reached out to us in hopes we could come up with a solution to solve their issues. Kelly Summers, Lindsay Brungardt, and Leslie Hatfield worked with them to understand their current pain points and wish list then developed a plan that would address them. Trevor Gariety and Andy Gower brought the project to life.
This project recently won a REMY award.
Why the Pain Points?
The home, built in 1941, reflected its age and while we love capturing the history and charm of homes from that era sometimes room sizes and layouts just don’t work for today’s lifestyle. There were several issues with this primary bathroom. First, the bathroom was small, with a cramped tub/shower combo, a low toilet, and the pedestal sink provided no storage. Perhaps worse than that, it was awkwardly designed. The sloped ceiling over the tub restricted the height of the shower, which was problematic since one of our clients is over six feet tall.
The vanity, or lack thereof, was another sore spot. The pedestal sink offered no counter space for day-to-day necessities like curling irons or makeup, and the bathroom had only a single electrical outlet. In terms of aesthetics, the room was also quite dated. Finally, lighting was also issue: the small sconce lights had been flipped upward in a desperate attempt to improve visibility, but it wasn’t enough.
What Did They Want?
Our clients weren’t looking for anything super fancy but were really after functionality for their daily lives. He wanted a shower that was tall and spacious enough to move freely without bumping his head.. She dreamed of a soaking tub where she could relax and unwind. Updated lighting and a comfort-height toilet were also high on the list. She envisioned a spa-like space with tile wainscoting to give the room a luxurious feel.
A New Layout with More Space
Early in the design process, our client shared a sketch with Lindsay and Kelly from the previous homeowner that reimagined the bathroom by repurposing adjacent closet space. She loved the idea, and we customized it to suit their specific needs. Although the existing bathroom was tight, the adjacent hallway and linen closets provided plenty of underutilized space. By removing those closets and opening up the wall between the hallway and bathroom, we gained enough room for a large shower, a soaking tub, and a single-sink vanity—checking off all their must-haves.
Before Floorplan
After Floorplan
A Functional & Stylish Shower
Due to the Cape Cod home’s roofline, removing the sloped ceiling wasn’t an option but that didn’t let us stop us. Leslie architected a shower that worked with the existing slope. Placing the showerhead and handheld on a slider on a side wall allowed them to be set at a maximum height. It also ensured water wouldn’t spray out if the door was opened.
To maintain an open and airy feel, we incorporated half walls on both sides of the shower. These not only help the space feel larger but also allow natural light to flow throughout the bathroom.
Maximizing Storage & Counter Space with the vanity
Our clients were ready for bathroom storage so we gave them as much as the space would allow in their vanity. Kelly and Lindsay designed a beautiful vanity with a single sink which we installed on the left side of the vanity rather than centering it. This layout provided them with generous counter space and larger drawers for storage. The vanity is topped with a stunning Cambria quartz countertop that ties in the rich navy color of the cabinetry. To complete the look, we added a silver-framed mirror flanked by two sconces, providing plenty of light for getting ready.
Elevating Lighting for Functionality & Ambiance
Addressing the lighting was a key priority in this project. We installed three recessed LED can lights, evenly spaced along the center of the bathroom. One is positioned in front of the vanity, another over the shower, and the third illuminates the tub. All three are controlled by a single dimmable switch, allowing for flexible lighting levels.
In addition, we installed a recessed light above the toilet and another inside the shower, each on their own dimmable switches for personalized control. This ensures the perfect lighting balance—no one wants harsh spotlights in the middle of the night!
Creating a Relaxing Retreat with a Freestanding Soaking Tub
A tub was high on their wish list, and we wanted to make sure we delivered which was tough in this bathroom layout but we weren’t deterred! We placed the new tub centered under the large window, allowing plenty of natural light to fill the space. For added privacy, we applied a frosted film to the window, ensuring the room feels bright yet secluded.
Next to the tub we left space for a small shelf, perfect for storing bath essentials. The toilet is now discreetly positioned behind the shower wall, offering a bit more privacy.
The crisp white subway tiles, paired with gray hexagonal floor tiles and soothing ocean-colored paint, combine to create the ultimate spa-like atmosphere.
Now, our clients have a bathroom that feels like a spa retreat in the comfort of their own home. It’s a serene, functional space they’ll enjoy for years to come.
Ready to transform a bathroom in your home. Contact us to speak to one of our talented designers!