A Dated Brown Bathroom Becomes a Modern-Day Retreat

Interior layouts of older New England homes are often likened to rabbit warrens. In this classic Dutch colonial in northeastern Massachusetts, that descriptor extended all the way to the primary bath. “The space was dark, compartmentalized, and not functional for two people to use at the same time,” says Stacey Martin, founder of The Freshmaker. The clients, who lived in the home for about a year before contacting the designer, also needed more storage, not to mention a whole new look. “We wanted to start with a clean slate; pretty much everything was from the 1970s,” Stacey says. 

Indeed, a full gut reno was mandatory to banish the brown- and maroon-colored eyesore. What would replace it? A light and airy retreat reminiscent of the bathroom the couple enjoyed on their California wine country honeymoon. “We wanted to create a more functional, spa-like space that spoke to their aesthetic, while still playing well with the existing DNA of the home,” Stacey says. Ultimately, midcentury-modern meets country cozy summed up their goal. 

The team also needed to find square footage in order to increase the room’s size. By converting two large dormers into his-and-hers walk-in closets, Stacey was able to free up substantial space claimed by the couple’s wardrobe. With this savvy move, the bath went from 70 square feet to just under 200.

The abandoned closet space became the bathroom proper, featuring a pair of midcentury-modern wood vanities with an industrial-chic glass-fronted steel storage cabinet between them—a massive improvement over the tiny double vanity and linen closet located in the primary bedroom. The new layout also graced the area with natural sunlight from the room’s single window, which was buried inside the closet before. “Smart solutions like this improved functionality and made space feel serene and pulled together,” Stacey says.

Location: Boxford, Massachusetts

The before: “The bathroom was dated, dark, and gaudy, with a maroon and brown color palette and ornamental brown tile with embossed vines,” Stacey says. The homeowners describe it as “brown, brown, and more brown.” They were also dissatisfied with the layout, which was 70% closet, 30% bath. They hoped to move the closet elsewhere and fill the entire space with the new bath. 

The inspiration: The clients were obsessed with the bathroom in the hotel they stayed in during their Sonoma honeymoon, which had a black hexagon floor pattern and white subway tile mixed with wood tones and midcentury modern details. They dubbed the look “a fun combination of midcentury and wine country cozy.” 

Square footage: 70 square feet

Budget: $60,000

Main ingredients: 

Vanities: West Elm midcentury single vanities with custom marble-look quartz countertops that offer the old world look of marble with the performance of quartz. “Furniture-like pieces make a bath feel cozy and these have great storage,” Stacy says. 

Hooks: Rejuvenation. “The silhouette is modern and the aged brass finish aligns with what you’d find in an old New England home,” Stacey says. 

Plumbing fixtures: Pfister shower system and Signature Hardware faucets

Lights: Visual Comfort & Co. Nodes pendant by Kelly Wearstler. “The ultramodern statement fixtures are an unexpected focal point,” Stacey declares.

Mirror: Lulu and Georgia Ahna oval mirror

Storage cabinet: McGee & Co. matte iron cabinet. “When the homeowner mentioned wanting a spot for her perfumes and potions, my mind immediately went to an apothecary cabinet,” Stacey says. 

Accent chair: Anthropologie Heritage dining chair. “While the wood tone ties to the vanities, the silhouette skews colonial, helping to bridge the midcentury modern aesthetic with the rest of the home,” Stacey explains.

Artwork: Minted. “The expanse of warm tones helps cozy up the large space,” Stacey says.

Rug: Antique Kurish runner

Floor tile: Floor & Decor matte black 12-inch hexagon tile

Shower wall tile: Floor & Decor glossy white 3x12" subway tile. Stacy stacked the tile vertically for a midcentury modern flavor. “Since most of the other finishes are matte, I used glossy tile to add some sheen,” Stacey says. “The tiles reflect light in what would otherwise have been a dark corner.”

Shower floor tile: Floor & Decor flat black honed pebble mosaic with black grout. “The organic shapes balance and soften the linear tile and lends a sense of connection with nature,” Stacey says. 

Tub: Wyndham Collection Juno tub. “This one came down to size,” Stacey says. “I wanted a modern oval shape in a matte finish that would fit on a smaller wall.”

Most insane splurge and sneakiest save: Stacey recommends splurging on statement lighting. As for a save, she says, “I don’t know how sneaky it is, but installing white subway tile in a unique way elevates the inexpensive material.”

The best part: For Stacey, it’s how warm and cozy the space feels. Both homeowners love the soaking tub.

What I’d never do again: Stacey regrets nothing. However, she warns owners to proceed with caution when doing white subway tile with dark grout, especially in a vertical stack. “If the installation isn’t precise, misalignments will be fairly noticeable,” she says. 

Final bill: $75,000