Bathroom of the Week: Earthy Modern Style in 68 Square Feet
A designer found on Houzz helps a Chicago homeowner add a basement bathroom with a low-curb shower and spa-like feel
For 17 years this single Chicago homeowner trekked from a basement home office up the stairs to use the bungalow’s only bathroom. Tired of the difficult arrangement, the owner decided it was time to add a bathroom in the basement.
The homeowner turned to Houzz and found both inspiration and designer Anna Butler, who created a clean, spa-like space that reflects the homeowner’s love of natural materials. The earthy modern bathroom includes soothing green tile walls, a floating reclaimed-wood vanity with a concrete countertop and a roomy low-curb shower with built-in bench.
The homeowner turned to Houzz and found both inspiration and designer Anna Butler, who created a clean, spa-like space that reflects the homeowner’s love of natural materials. The earthy modern bathroom includes soothing green tile walls, a floating reclaimed-wood vanity with a concrete countertop and a roomy low-curb shower with built-in bench.
A white oak veneered mirrored medicine cabinet coordinates with the vanity. It features four adjustable interior glass shelves and an open wood shelf on the bottom. “We tried to include as much storage as we could,” Butler says. “We couldn’t do a recessed medicine cabinet, and I liked the exposed shelf.”
A sculptural glass pendant light features a brass finish and a milk glass shade.
Paint colors: White Dove (walls) and Decorator’s White (ceiling and trim), Benjamin Moore
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A sculptural glass pendant light features a brass finish and a milk glass shade.
Paint colors: White Dove (walls) and Decorator’s White (ceiling and trim), Benjamin Moore
Shop for a bathroom vanity
The clean-lined 1½ -inch-thick floating concrete countertop is sealed to be water-resistant. A white undermount oval sink sits below a wall-mounted widespread faucet. “We wanted to save on counter space as much as possible,” Butler says.
A contemporary matte black towel ring on the wall coordinates with the black soap dispenser and black hardware on the frameless glass shower enclosure.
Towel ring: Trinsic in matte black, Delta Faucet
A contemporary matte black towel ring on the wall coordinates with the black soap dispenser and black hardware on the frameless glass shower enclosure.
Towel ring: Trinsic in matte black, Delta Faucet
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The vanity’s two full-extension drawers and large swing-out cabinet have contemporary brass cabinet pulls. “We were trying to tie in with the other brass finishes and have a streamlined look,” Butler says.
The flooring is 24-by-24-inch light gray terrazzo-look porcelain tiles with a matte finish. “That floor selection was inspired by the spa, that feeling of having stone under your feet,” Butler says.
Cabinet pulls: It in vintage brass, Atlas Homewares; floor tiles: Frammenta in light gray, 24 by 24 inches, Bedrosians Tile and Stone
Before and After: 4 Stylish Bathrooms in 50 Square Feet or Less
The flooring is 24-by-24-inch light gray terrazzo-look porcelain tiles with a matte finish. “That floor selection was inspired by the spa, that feeling of having stone under your feet,” Butler says.
Cabinet pulls: It in vintage brass, Atlas Homewares; floor tiles: Frammenta in light gray, 24 by 24 inches, Bedrosians Tile and Stone
Before and After: 4 Stylish Bathrooms in 50 Square Feet or Less
This view from the entrance to the bathroom shows the spacious low-curb shower with custom frameless glass enclosure. A custom bench features a honed black granite top that coordinates with the shower floor and niche shelf.
The shower floor consists of 2-inch matte black hexagonal porcelain tiles. A matte black towel hook hangs on the wall outside the shower.
The shower floor consists of 2-inch matte black hexagonal porcelain tiles. A matte black towel hook hangs on the wall outside the shower.
The wide shower niche features jade-colored penny tiles in varying tones, a honed black granite shelf and matte black Schluter strip edges.
Brushed brass shower fixtures coordinate with the sink faucet and other brass details in the room.
Shower fixtures: Purist, Kohler
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Brushed brass shower fixtures coordinate with the sink faucet and other brass details in the room.
Shower fixtures: Purist, Kohler
New to home remodeling? Learn the basics
A white one-piece elongated comfort-height toilet sits across from the vanity. An 8-inch industrial-style shelf with solid brass rod brackets provides a spot for a plant and decorative items.
The operable frosted glass window overlooks a side yard and lets in natural light and fresh air while providing privacy. A ceiling light (not shown) has an exhaust fan. The bathroom also includes a few LED recessed ceiling lights (not shown).
Toilet: Santa Rosa, Kohler
The operable frosted glass window overlooks a side yard and lets in natural light and fresh air while providing privacy. A ceiling light (not shown) has an exhaust fan. The bathroom also includes a few LED recessed ceiling lights (not shown).
Toilet: Santa Rosa, Kohler
This rendering shows the breezy layout of the bathroom. The matte black entry door handle can be seen at the bottom right. The spacious shower is at the upper right and the compact vanity at the upper left, across from the toilet. “It’s a spa-like oasis with the natural materials the homeowner loves and modern flair,” Butler says.
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Bathroom at a Glance
Who lives here: A single professional
Location: Chicago
Size: 68 square feet (6.3 square meters)
Design: Anna Butler Designs
The 2-by-10-inch Midori green matte ceramic wall tiles set a soothing and stylish tone for the new bathroom. “The client isn’t afraid of color and is definitely attracted to jewel tones,” Butler says. “I always love using blues and greens in bathrooms, and I love these tiles in particular because of the color variation in each tile. We used the blue of this tile in the upstairs bathroom.” The stacked pattern gives the space a contemporary look.
A 36-inch-wide reclaimed-oak floating vanity complements the green tile and brass details and lends an earthy midcentury modern vibe to the design. The unit was handcrafted from salvaged barn wood and has a clear matte, VOC-free finish that lets the beauty and warmth of the wood show through. “It was an important selection because the homeowner wanted to use natural materials and have the spa-like feel,” Butler says.
Wall tile: Makoto in Midori Green, 2 by 10 inches, Bedrosians Tile and Stone; vanity: What We Make
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