Seeking Calm, One Hexagon Tile at a Time

Hexagon tiles on the backsplash and shower bring form and function together—thanks to mom

• Homeowner: Erica, a first-time renovator, posted her project on Sweeten
• Where: Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn in New York
• Primary renovation: A rip-and-replace for a dated vintage pink bathroom
• Sweeten general contractor
• Homeowner’s quote: “Sweeten was extremely attentive to my needs as I searched for a contractor.”
• Sweeten’s role: Sweeten matches home renovation projects with vetted general contractors, offering advice, support, and secure payments—at no cost to the homeowner.

Written in partnership with Sweeten homeowner Erica. “After” photos by Miao Jiaxin for Sweeten.

Remodeling for a fresher aesthetic

Erica purchased her first apartment, a one-bedroom in Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn. “Everything was in working order, but my hope was to eventually fully gut and renovate the kitchen and bathroom,” she said. First the kitchen, and two years later decided the bathroom’s time had come. The all-pink-everything (the toilet, tub, sink, and wall tiles) had to go. “I knew I wanted a more zen, spa-like bathroom without the added expense of switching the location of the existing plumbing,” she shared.

Renovation team collaboration

Ready to get started, Erica posted her project to Sweeten. “Sweeten was extremely attentive to my needs as I searched for a contractor,” she shared. After reviewing her options of local general contractors in Brooklyn, she hired one to work with. Then, her renovation team—her Sweeten general contractor and interior designer Amy E. Bishop—joined forces to revamp Erica’s bathroom into a relaxing retreat.

Key design element: hexagon tiles in the bathroom

They developed a design that would maximize style and storage. Amy and Erica created a Pinterest board to share ideas, and the designer helped guide the overall look, starting with a three-drawer vanity the homeowner loved. As they were finalizing their concept, Erica’s mom pointed out the lack of a backsplash behind the vanity might be an issue, calling her “a splasher.” Hence, they designed a backsplash with hexagon tiles in the bathroom. The cascading formation carried over from the shower wall, offered a creative and practical solution.

Storage in a small bathroom

With limited space, the storage options would get creative. Shelves above the door hold toilet paper and other supplies, while a large medicine cabinet and custom in-shower shelves host Erica’s growing collection of skincare and beauty products. Her general contractor played an integral part in executing the custom idea. The original design placed the shelves on a different wall. However, once her contractor discovered it was solid cement, they relocated the double-stacked niches to the bathroom’s back wall accented by the hexagon tiles. The contracting team also made sure all the electrical was up to code (which wasn’t the case before they came in).

“I appreciate the ability to be much more organized getting ready for work in the morning.”

Hexagon tiles in a bathroom bring on the calm

Living with her cat Gigi onsite throughout the renovation and using the powder room in her building’s laundry room were the biggest hardships Erica experienced during the five-week renovation. They were well-worth the sacrifice.

“I absolutely love the bathroom!  Everything is so fresh and clean with a much more sophisticated color palette and design. With my enormous medicine cabinet, shower niches, vanity, and shelving over the door, I appreciate the ability to be much more organized getting ready for work in the morning,” Erica said.

Renovation Materials

• Mixare hexagon tile in Taupe, Duet wall tile in White: Ann Sacks.
• Vintage English oval double sconce, polished stainless steel towel bar, toilet paper holder, spray jet shower head, sink faucet, herringbone vanity in weathered gray, and medicine cabinet: Restoration Hardware.
• Hand towel and bathrobe hook: Anthropologie.
• Toto toilet and Fine Fixtures 60” apron bathtub: Toto.
• Artwork over the toilet: Framed print “Scootering in Rome!” by David Parise.

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Sweeten handpicks the best general contractors to match each project’s location, budget, and scope, helping until project completion. Follow the blog for renovation ideas and inspiration and when you’re ready to renovate, start your renovation on Sweeten.