First Place

2008 REMY: Baths Under $20,000

Project Overview:

This small bath off the master bedroom lacked privacy, needed more storage, a more open feel and updated amenities. The homeowners wanted a “spa-like” feel that was modern, yet worked with the architecture of their home, which was built in the 1960’s.

The small door less entry lacked any sort of privacy and made getting ready in the morning difficult if one person was still in bed. The opening was enlarged making room for double doors, increasing functionality and adding architectural interest to the bedroom.

To give the room a sense of openness, a wall that divided the vanity area from the shower and toilet room was removed. The bathtub was also removed making way for a large, glass enclosed shower. A half wall was added near the toilet, separating it from the vanity area, while still maintaining that open feel.

A spa-like environment was created using different sized stone tiles in the shower and on the floors, complimenting the new maple cabinetry. A clear glass vessel sink highlights the vanity top and is accented with a glass tile backsplash and a faucet mounted on the mirrored wall. The solid surface countertops and all other surfaces were kept neutral for a serene feeling. A radiant heated floor provided personal comfort for cold winter mornings.

To maximize storage, a center cabinet was installed on the vanity extending all the way to the ceiling and set of six drawers was added under the counter top. The translucent glass fronted door adds further textural interest to the overall design.

And finally, the window was trimmed out to match the new double entry doors.

Client Wants and Needs:

1. Privacy: To be able to close off the bathroom when in use and not wake someone sleeping in the bedroom

2. Storage: Make the new cabinetry fit into the existing footprint without diminishing the amount of useable and functional space.

3. Open Spa-like Feel: To change the atmosphere of the room without changing the size of the room.

   
   

Solutions:

1. Privacy: The existing entry was widened and a set of double doors installed.

2. Storage: A vanity to ceiling cabinet and drawers replaced the old vanity, keeping within the same footprint, while giving plenty of useable storage space.

3. Open Spa-like Feel: The restful colors and natural stone give a warm, quiet feeling to the space. The glass sink, backsplash and translucent glass door and wall mounted faucet add understated opulence to the design.

Project Management: A lead craftsman is assigned to every project. All work is typically done by except for certain mechanical trades. Job sites are usually visited several times per week by the owner and/or designer. All carpenters carry cell phones for easy communication and extra help is available to them when needed.

Client Communication: Several weekly site visits by owner and/or designer.

Technical Difficulty and Craftsmanship: This bathroom remodel was technically straightforward. The only slight difficulty was the need to

relocate an air return that was in the wall where the entry was widened to make way for the new double doors. A defective wall mounted lavatory faucet was replaced.

Functionality: The wider, private entry and opened up space created better flow throughout the small space.

Cost Summary

$12,186.90 Original Remodeling Contract

$13,301.76 Final Billing with change order 1 and material allowance adjustments. Additional work included labor for heated tile floor, replacement of all bedroom window casing, tall base boards, and two new sets of bi passing closet doors.

$20,710.00 Owner’s complete cost with furnished material and their

Electrician. $ -976.00 Cost of additional labor and material not pertaining to bath project (bedroom millwork).

$19,734.00 Total bath project cost.