Primary Bathroom Reno: A Peek Into Our Design Process

Primary Bathroom Reno: A Peek Into Our Design Process

by | Jul 22, 2022 | Bathroom Renovations

Sometimes people cave to the pressure of having a bathtub in their primary bathroom for the benefit of resale value, even if they aren’t avid bathers, but we’re giving you permission to get rid of that tub! If you aren’t using it, squeezing a bathtub into your primary bathroom might just be a waste of space, and a bit of an eyesore. Take a look at how removing the outdated bathtub helped us transform this master bathroom for our clients in Cary, NC.

We started this project with a bathroom that was stuck in the ’90s, featuring a built in garden tub, a tiny gold-framed shower, a low vanity, and outdated lighting. Our clients wanted us to transform their retro bathroom into a spa-like oasis.

Our first step was removing the garden tub, allowing us to expand the shower, add floating shelves, and open the area in front of the window to give the entire space a brighter, more airy feel. We chose a ceramic tile that mimics the appearance of marble to keep the bathroom looking luxe while still being easy to maintain, and we embellished with real marble hexagon tile in the shower pan and niche. An additional handheld showerhead, a bench, and a custom glass enclosure completed this gorgeous shower. The tub won’t be missed!

We enhanced the spa vibes with a brand new vanity with a Carrera marble top and polished nickel fixtures. Simple but beautiful wainscotting, tall mirrors, and new wall lighting pulled everything together, and a contrasting chandelier globe served as a focal point to finish off this updated oasis.

Of course, these design decisions aren’t made spur-of-the-moment. What the before and after photos don’t usually show is all the planning that happens long before demo starts, from layout renderings to tile selection to installation specifications and more. Take a look at the carousel below for a peek at all the decisions that have to be made before a renovation begins.

Our clients were thrilled with their new spa-inspired, tub-free master bathroom. If you’ve been thinking of bidding farewell to your bathtub, here are a few more gorgeous before and after photos that might help you take the leap.

Before

After

Full Kitchen Reno: Before & After at Lakeside

Full Kitchen Reno: Before & After at Lakeside

by | May 2, 2022 | Kitchen Renovations

Not all homebuyers can see the potential in an outdated space, but Matt and Mary purchased their home knowing they would eventually want to update the kitchen. The original layout of Matt and Mary’s kitchen was claustrophobic, the workflow funky. The fridge was adjacent to the side door off the driveway — their primary entrance to their home — the oven was in a cramped corner, they lacked counter space, and the peninsula made the room feel closed off. Along with the awkward layout, everything was old, musty, sagging, and in desperate need of replacement.

At Spotted, we start every project by sitting down with the client to discuss the current state of their space, digging deep to pinpoint what’s working and what needs to change, and then we put together a preliminary quote and budget. There are plenty of options for financing home projects, from personal loans to HELOCs — but Matt and Mary wanted to pay for their kitchen remodel without a loan, so we set their project aside while they saved up. A few months later, we circled back and got started on their new kitchen. Matt and Mary didn’t mind waiting a bit longer; the anticipation is half the fun of a big project.

We had a few main goals with this remodel:

  • Improve the workflow of the kitchen
  • Create more open space to enlarge the room
  • Optimize the kitchen for a homeowner who loves to cook and bake!

A design board and renderings help us visualize the finished product.

kitchen hardware

A huge thank you to Wayfair for sponsoring the beautiful hardware in this space.

Serene Lily 7 9/16″ Center to Center Bar Pull

1 1/4″ Diameter Mushroom Knob Multipack

With Matt and Mary’s needs and wants in mind, we started preparing design renderings, revising until we’d found the perfect solution for the kitchen’s odd layout. At the same time, we pulled design inspiration from Matt and Mary’s Pinterest boards, and started sourcing everything we needed — tile, plumbing, countertops, and more — from local suppliers.

A few weeks later, after plenty of revisions and lots of fine-tuning, we were ready to start ordering materials. Behind the scenes, our design team was busy creating construction plans, meeting with our contractors, tracking our sourced items, and double-checking everything to ensure it arrived on site — on time and intact.

With everything reviewed, approved, and accounted for, construction finally began. The Spotted team conducted regular site visits to ensure everything was being installed to spec, and we handled any issues that arose during construction, acting as the liaison between the clients and the construction team. Our goal is to make the renovation process as easy and stress-free as possible for every client. As is the nature of construction, things will go wrong and issues will arise – but we stay on top of things with a solutions-first approach.

Take a look at the before and after of this gorgeous kitchen remodel! We optimized aesthetic and function to create a beautiful, livable space, perfect for cooking, baking, and gathering. Maybe these results can even provide some ideas and inspiration for your own future kitchen remodel, or help you see the potential in an outdated space during your homebuying journey.

Before

After