Architecture   Carpentry, Decks, Roofing & Siding   General Contractors/ Remodelers   Interior Design   Kitchen & Bath   Landscaping Painting Windows & Doors   more...

Fresh & Functional

Hijacked by mold, this Dennisport bathroom gets a clean bill of health with a complete remodel.

Design by Lorrie Blute
Construction by Schoolhouse Construction
Text by Rachel Arroyo
Professional photography by Patrick Wiseman

Serene scenes of sand and beach, sky and water, were, no doubt, the inspiration behind the redesign of the bathroom in this Dennisport ranch. Another influence for the $15,900 bathroom remodel came from a less glamorous source: mold—a common problem on Cape Cod.

This three-bedroom, one-bath home was built in the 1970s and bought by its current owners, a retired couple, 18 years ago. The darkly stained cabinetry and seafoam green décor needed an update, but more important, the growing mold problem needed to be remedied. For this task, the homeowners sought the expertise of Schoolhouse Construction in Harwich.

The new blue and white seashore-inspired bathroom design matches the owner’s aesthetic preferences. The remodeled bathroom offers a tranquil space that is crisp, orderly and practical. Lorrie Blute, Schoolhouse Construction’s project manager and designer, says she takes pleasure in creating something that is both tasteful and efficient.

The remodeled bathroom is lighter and brighter than the original. The 9- by 5-foot room appears larger, although the square footage remains the same.

Diagonally installed floor tiles help to create the illusion of space. The owners say the flooring is their favorite part of the bathroom. The original floor consisted of outdated, randomly sized mosaic tiles in white, gray and seafoam green. The old, dislodged tiles were replaced by 12- by 12-inch glazed ceramic tiles in a blue-gray.

The outdated 4- by 4-inch seafoam green wall tiles above the sink and in the shower were replaced by 8- by 13-inch white glazed ceramic tiles. In addition to being attractive, the tiles work toward preventing mold and protecting the walls by guarding against backsplash from water outlets.

Curved listello tiles, with a blue and white design, line the top of the wall tiles above the sink. The decorative inserts provide a smooth and interesting transition between the wall tiles and the white painted wall surface. The combined effect of the floor, wall and decorative tiles is like an ocean breeze—cool, fresh and crisp.

The size and color of the new tiles make the bathroom look more spacious and bright. The bathroom vanity also contributes to the larger and lighter atmosphere. The vanity counter and sink in “white glacier” are made of Odyssey, a solid surface material, manufactured by Roma Marble Incorporated. The countertop is slightly larger than the one replaced.

To match the white sink and countertop, the white bathroom cabinet adds storage space. While the original cabinet had two doors and no drawers, the new cabinet has two doors and two drawers. The extra storage space goes a long way toward controlling clutter. Quality and durability are displayed in the dovetailed construction, as well as in the hardwood birch door, face and frame.

A new “tri-view” vanity mirror is larger than the original and therefore offers more storage and reflects more light. The light fixture is affixed to the top of the tri-view mirror to save space. And, instead of the old two-light fixture, the remodeled bathroom has three.

Artificial lighting proved an easier adjustment than natural lighting. The bathroom’s only window—a double-hung model—was located squarely in the middle of the shower, offering the owners little privacy. With the consent of the homeowners, Blute replaced the original window with an Andersen awning window, which offers natural light without sacrificing privacy.

Because mold was the primary reason for the bathroom remodel, the decision to reduce the area from which moisture was able to exit was ostensibly bold. However, with an efficient and quiet bathroom fan installed, the crew was free to minimize the window space. The Fantech fan is powerful enough to remove the moisture that accumulates after a bath or a shower. It includes a convenient timer with automatic shutoff.

A glass shower door replaces the old shower curtain. The door creates a sense of depth and allows the dispersal of light. It also adds elegance and finish to the room, while contributing to the airy and cool ambience.

Behind the glass shower door rests a new white fiberglass tub with wall-mounted porcelain soap holder and shelving. The porcelain accessories are clean, classic accents. To address the needs of the retired owners, a white grab bar was mounted to the wall outside of the tub for safety and easier access.

The remodeled bathroom represents a major departure from the original. Blute says a friend once told her, “It’s best you sit with something for 72 hours because change is always hard. You have to be ready for change.” She was hoping the homeowners would grow to love their new bathroom. But the homeowners embraced their new bathroom without hesitation: They say they loved it instantly. In fewer than six weeks, Schoolhouse Construction was able to transform an aging, outdated bathroom, hijacked by mold, into an airy, breezy Cape Cod-inspired retreat.

Project Overview | Budget: $15,900

• Eliminate mold
• Brighten the space
• Create the illusion of more space
• Incorporate easy-care materials
• Add storage

Visit our Where to Buy Section for information on purchasing products from this project.