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New and Improved

A 1950s bathroom gets a complete, stylish remodel on a budget.

Design by Janet Russell

Construction by E.F. Winslow Design Studio

Text by Laurie Kaiser

Color photography by Steve Vierra

The bathroom was not atypical for a 50-year-old ranch: a narrow rectangular affair with a cast iron tub and laminate shower insert, a white wall-mount sink with chrome legs, wooden medicine cabinet with mirrored tri-fold doors, standard white toilet, vinyl floor and pink plastic wall tiles. When the lavatory sprung an irreparable leak and required replacement, the homeowner decided the time had come for a bath remodel.

She and her husband had been living with the outdated and inefficient space since they moved into the East Dennis house 11 years ago. They thought they might attempt the remodel themselves, but soon became overwhelmed by the thought.

Having hired E.F. Winslow for all their plumbing repairs, they decided to call on the plumbing company’s new design studio in West Yarmouth for the bathroom remodel. With a budget of $15,000, they turned to designer Janet Russell for help. She and the team at the E.F. Winslow Design Studio specialize in turnkey interior remodels. And, as it turned out, that’s just what this busy homeowner wanted.

“We try to remove the stress for the homeowner and make it fun,” says Russell, who sensed this homeowner was a bit apprehensive about the remodel. “She was just really looking to connect with a designer who could relate to the specific look she wanted.”

The homeowner’s wish list included a more attractive and easy-care bathroom with a vintage feeling (“I like the Pottery Barn look”), larger mirrors, improved lighting and storage space – all on a budget of $15,000. The existing bathroom offered very little storage and no counter space, not to mention mold and peeling plastic tiles.

“We kept the cost down by using materials that are reasonably priced,” says Russell. The final cost came in at just $500 over the homeowner’s budget.

The design of the bath/shower area was a take-off from a page in a Kohler catalog. Russell personalized the space by tailoring the lavatory area. With a custom counter, she accommodated the homeowner’s height and request for a pedestal sink.

By adding cabinets, Russell provided lots of storage space. Now the homeowner isn’t at a loss for where to store items. In fact, she says, “I’ve gained so much storage I haven’t even filled it up.”

Porcelain tiles in white with gray veining replaced the pink plastic tiles and two layers of old vinyl flooring. The tile offers the look of Carrera marble without the maintenance or the expense. It blends seamlessly with the white bathroom fixtures, white cabinetry with polished chrome hardware and the solid surface countertop. On the floor, Russell added tiny black mosaic tiles in a diamond pattern to break up the expanse of white and gray and to give the homeowner an easy accent color with which to work. For the walls above the white wainscoting, the homeowner chose a soothing lavender paint.

The remodel took five weeks to complete. Because the cabinet lead time was longer than expected, the remodel “took a little longer than we initially planned,” the homeowner says. Fortunately, she and her husband have a second full bathroom, so any disruption to their lives was eased.

“I couldn’t be more pleased,” the homeowner says of her new bathroom. The only thing she might have reconsidered is the extra-deep tub, which requires some agility to step into. While she concedes the tub is great for soaking, the homeowner fears that as she ages she may lose the ability to step into it.

The frameless sliding glass door that replaced the old shower curtain receives high marks, as well. Without a channel to harbor mold or mildew, the door is low maintenance. On the advice of the installer, Seth Rosen of Glass Designs in Dennis, the homeowner sprayed the glass with Rain-X, an automotive product that causes water to bead up. The door requires no special cleaning, other than swiping it with a squeegee after showers.

All of the bathroom surfaces – from the tiles to the countertop – are easy care. Even the wooden blinds on the window are easy to clean because the slats slide out of their holders.

“We clicked on so many things,” the homeowner says of working with Russell. In the end, all of her expectations were met – and in some cases exceeded.

“I think the bathroom came out better than she thought it would,” says Russell, a designer with 25 years of experience. “We just connected. I listen to what people are saying to me. I don’t make a judgment on their style. Whatever the style, we’ll make it work.”


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