This century-old home had a starring role on WSYX-TV’s Ohio Home and Garden Television (OHG-TV). Bryce Jacob, vice president at Dave Fox, explains that the home’s owner, realtor Larry Schottenstein, president of Revealty, was approached by the local ABC affiliate about showcasing one of his properties in a before-and-after-type program.
“To meet the demands of the program, Mr. Schottenstein found this gem, which was in deplorable condition when we began planning the project,” Jacob explains. The premise for the program was to educate homeowners about how failed technology in older homes can be replaced with state-of-the art systems, saving all that is graceful and beautiful while giving the home new life.
Dave Fox designer, Courtney Burnett, CKD, chose a neutral palette for the master bath to create a warm, quiet atmosphere. “The wall color—Bateau Brown, with an under-hue of plum and a little chocolate and nutmeg—really warms the space and is a great backdrop to the bold, custom designed glass tile wall, in which every tile was individually hand placed,” she says.
Burnett explains that her biggest challenge was deciding where to place each fixture.
With plenty of room available, she was able to incorporate a free-standing bathtub, which at 42 inches wide, can easily accommodate two adults for side-by-side soaking.
“I wanted to give the master bathroom a look that was contemporary, but respectful of the era of the home,” she notes. “By choosing this unique tub, I was able to fit it in a corner formed by two of the home’s huge, double-hung windows,” she explains.
Burnett’s custom-designed vanity and lavatory is completely unexpected. Rather than holding two “his and her” bowls, the lavatory is one rectangular trough that extends the length of the vanity, composed of smooth concrete with crushed, iridescent abalone shells. A removable glass shelf straddles the center to provide a resting place for rolled towels.
The phrase “what’s old is new again,” certainly applies to the transformation this house went through. “I think whoever makes their home in this 106-year-old house would be hard-pressed to find comparable charm—and spice—in a new build,” notes Jacob.