A Park Slope Couple Remodels for an Uber Chic Bathroom

From round bathroom mirrors to black matte shower fixtures, this bathroom remodel stands out

Project: A bathroom remodel jumpstarts after a leak is discovered

Before: Katie and Lance knew when they bought their Park Slope condo that their bathroom needed a new look. That bathroom remodel became urgent and more extensive when they discovered a leak in the tub with water damage spilling into their bedroom closet. “I would say to anyone buying to keep an eye out for water damage on your inspection, even if you have to move some shoes out of the closet to do it,” said Katie. With the opportunity to rethink the design, the couple, who are both actors and writers, wanted to swap out cumbersome elements such as two tiled storage vanities and a standalone pedestal sink for a sleek yet warm look.

After: The discovery of the leak meant Katie and Lance had to divide their focus and budget between aesthetics and function. They used Sweeten, a free service matching homeowners with general contractors to find their general contractor and got started. The couple was eyeing intricate floor tiles and a teak vanity, but the increased scope of the work meant some sacrificing elements. One thing Katie really wanted were round bathroom mirrors for “a look that was brighter and more fun than rectangle ones.” In a priority pivot, she’d originally hoped to remove the glass partition between the bath and toilet but was dissuaded by the possibility of more water damage. Unlike the previous partition, the one they installed is elegant and sturdy. It also has a black rim, which nicely echoes the black edge of the mirrors as well as the faucets and fixtures. The family of three lived in the apartment during construction; this is something Katie definitely does not recommend especially when there is a toddler in the home and you’re sleeping on “a mattress on the floor surrounded by bags of caulking materials.” However, the couple’s Sweeten contractor kept things moving at a good pace, and clear communication made for realistic expectations of a “done” date.

Bonus: The couple had to stick to the original layout, which meant keeping a built-in storage niche by the window. It was covered in a sticky paper that made cleaning difficult and the saloon-style doors were not hitting the mark style-wise. With new tiles and the doors removed, the niche became “a breath of fresh air” to the new bathroom, Katie said.

Style finds: White hexagon 2” porcelain floor tile: Classic Tile. Bevel subway wall tiles: Arizona Tile. Black hardware and shower fixtures: Brizo. Miseno toilet: Faucet.com. Vanity/countertop: Fresca. Round mirrors: CB2. Lighting: Cedar & Moss. Shower curtain: Urban Outfitters.

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Black matte fixtures can take a bath from standard to stunning. Meredith and Jason incorporated black matte fixtures and a floating wood vanity in their bathroom renovation for a modern upgrade.

Originally published May 31, 2017.

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