So many of you have a love of historic homes—and we’re with you there. We were lucky enough to be called into renovate a Tutor-style home in Avondale. Several areas of the home had already been tastefully updated, adding modern detail while preserving original elements, like rich woodwork and unique window hardware. Charm, however, only goes so far when you have to live in a home every day, and kitchens and bathrooms are two important areas of the home that just work better when they’ve been renovated. The English Contractor team worked with these homeowners, who happen to have a great eye for style and design, to modernize the home’s bathrooms.

We’ll take you through the owner’s suite bathroom, a space that had not been touched since likely the 1930s or 1940s. A home like this though, is a part of history, even through styles have changed and products wear out. You’ll be happy to hear that many of the pieces of this bathroom were salvaged and resold to collectors, so they will happily live on in another bathroom somewhere.

Photo: Ross Van Pelt

The original bathroom had black tile with gold glazing that had worn away over time. One wall was covered in rose gold mirrors, with a convenient slot to dispose of safety razors (which we discovered during our renovation). A mint green Art Deco sink with chrome detail was centered on the wall.

The bathroom was carefully brought down to the studs. The basic layout of the space is the same, but is now brighter and seems bigger, with lots of extra storage. The black floor tiles were replaced with the Daltile Marble Attache in Calcutta Satin. The solo sink was replaced with a long vanity that can now hold two sinks, with a stone top to coordinate with the marble floor and shower tile.

Photo: Ross Van Pelt

Photo: Ross Van Pelt

The commode previously sat behind a full wall, with frosted window. A new half wall gives some privacy and lets more light from the adjacent window into the space. We love the addition of a countertop to this half wall as well.

Yes, that mint green sink had a matching mint green toilet. It was replaced with a new Kohler, with an angular tank that still gives this bathroom a vintage-y feel. The mirror was deleted and the window extended, with a gorgeous, chunky sill.

Both versions of this bathroom had a built-in vanity. We preserved this idea in the new space. The new bathroom has a narrow cabinet, topped with stone, and a light up mirror behind it. The light up mirror keeps the space looking clean and modern, without the need for an additional sconce or light fixture. We love the addition of recessed shelves between the shower and the vanity—what a perfect place to keep towels and extra toiletries at the ready.

This was one of this projects where we loved seeing the “before” as much as the “afters.” It was a fun walk through history was we worked in this home. We’ve included lots of before and afters here, so you can fully appreciate the impact of this renovation.

The Details

Designer: Bluebird Cabinetry and Design

Paint: Benjamin Moore Crushed Ice Satin (Walls); Sherwin Williams White Flat (Ceiling); Sherwin Williams White Semi Gloss (Doors/Trim)

Tile: Daltile Marble Attache in Calcutta Satin

Countertops: Stone Statements

Toilet: Kohler

Sinks & Faucet: Kohler Caxton Undermount and Single Hole Bathroom Sink Faucet

Shower Fixtures: Kohler

Medicine Cabinet: Kohler Swing Door Medicine Cabinet

If you’re ready to transform a dated bathroom, we have just the team to help. We’d love to work with you.

There’s a certain beauty to a work-from-home day. Not only can you throw on a load of laundry between phone calls and emails, skip cafeteria lines when it’s time for lunch, and stay cozy in your slippers all day long, but you also keep to take a break from harsh overhead lighting, uncomfortable furniture and the buzz from the photocopier. If you’re spending the day at home to get some work done, why not make the process a little bit fun, just like these homeowners did. 

 You may feel like you know these homeowners already, since this is our hattrick project for them. Remember that amazing outdoor room? What about that spring-like bathroom? Kind of makes you want to meet them in person so you can be invited over for drinks. This space won’t change your opinion of them at all. 

We’re not interior designers, but we sure do get to have some fun when our homeowners pick out some extra special finishes. That isn’t a really precise gallery wall—it’s wallpaper! Wallpaper is back and it is more fun than ever. We had a blast installing this wallpaper, which gives that English hunt feel with the dark, subtly patterned wallpaper, filled with ornate gold picture frames.  But the animals inside each frame, all dressed in their Sunday best, show a bit of whimsy and a good sense of humor. Look up from your laptop to see this view, and you’ll surely smile. And, if you remember from their bathroom project, this family wants to update their space, while paying homage to the home’s history. This fun wallpaper certainly does the trick, that takes an antique-look and presents it in an entirely new way.

 The hunter green painted walls add to the English hunt feel, with a collection of framed photos and artwork to complement the playful adjacent wallpaper. 

 No industrial carpeting in this office. This home office was completed with new hardwood flooring. The combination with the oversized chair and tufted ottoman that the homeowner selected could help this space swing into happy hour as a comfy den for after work drinks. And isn’t that how we’d all like to end the work week? By putting up our feet, and relaxing with a beverage of choice. If you’re going to work from home, might as well do it in style? 

Do you have a space in your home that is need of some sprucing up? Give us a ring? From cosmetic touches like painting, wallpaper installation and hardwood flooring, to bigger renovations, home additions and new builds, we can help you transform your home room by room.