Highland Park | Bathroom Renovation

Job Summary:

This Highland Park bathroom remodel required a little ingenuity to make the small bathroom feel bright and spacious. The clients wanted two separate vanity areas, a luxurious bath and a small tub. By using light-colored tiles and frameless accents, we were able to accomplish their goals.

Cabinet Style and Finish:

The cabinets have simple shaker-style, flat-panel doors. We painted them white to maintain the light, clean look preferred by Highland Park clientele. To add a little variation and interest, the clients selected oil-rubbed bronzed cabinet handles and drawer pulls, rather than matching them with the polished chrome plumbing fixtures.

For extra storage, we installed custom medicine cabinets beside each vanity area. Many clients don't realize that we can have custom medicine cabinets made when standard sizes don't work with the available space.

Mirrors:

Less is more when you are remodeling a small Highland Park bathroom. By installing frameless mirrors, the effect was streamlined and there was room for sconces, which we were able to install right through the mirror.

The Shower:

The clients wanted to preserve their original glass block window, a smart move since it adds natural light to the space. We left it clean and simple, without a frame, to keep it from feeling cluttered or cramped. All plumbing fixtures are Grohe, including a fixed head, a handheld head and a thermostat control.

The shower tiles are a mixture of white ceramic 3x6 subway tile, with a natural stone mosaic shower floor, for slip-resistance. We used the same 3x6 subway tiles on the walls to create a wainscoting effect (36-42" high - using the bottom of the light switches and outlets as a guide). The wainscoting was topped with an accent strip using the same mosaic tiles from the shower floor. To bring attention to the accent, we outlined the top and bottom with handmade porcelain "cap" pieces.

Counter Tops:

The clients chose quartzite for their counter tops, which complemented the light cabinetry and tile work but has just enough hint of color for aesthetic appeal. We used this same quartzite slab to make custom soap shelves as well as the shower step, which is a way to tie all of the design elements together.

Lighting:

We used LED lighting for energy-saving convenience and to prevent that heat generated by halogen lights, which can be uncomfortable while getting ready at the vanity in the morning.

For more information about this Highland Park remodel, contact the design experts at Kitchens & Baths Unlimited. We can remodel your small bath so it feels every bit as spacious and luxurious as you desire.