Grand old houses, like the 100-year-old home that Courtney and Eric purchased in Oakwood a few years ago, have incredible advantages including a distinctive look, loads of charm, and extras like luscious woodwork and high ceilings. One thing they rarely have is a master bathroom. “The lack of bathroom space bothered me from the start but I hoped a bathroom remodel would fix the problem,” says Courtney.
Her and Eric’s bedroom, the largest of the second floor’s five bedrooms, was at the end of the hallway. The hallway ran right into this bedroom, as a matter of fact. The bedroom didn’t have its own bathroom, so the couple used one of the two hallway bathrooms as their own (although with three daughters in the house—Peyton, Parker, and Charlotte—it was often used by the whole family).
Thanks to a 2015 renovation project, the couple’s large bedroom became a master suite, created first by ingeniously moving their doorway farther into the hallway, incorporating a doorway to a small spare bedroom, which was then converted into the master bath.
Also, another small room, probably used as a “sleeping porch” last century, which was adjacent to both the master bedroom and that small bedroom, was converted into a dreamy closet room, also now part of the master suite.
One more part of the renovation: the dated bathroom in the hallway the couple had been using was completely updated for the kids now to claim as their own.
For the renovation, Eric and Courtney turned to architect Greg Lauterbach to help them reconfigure the living spaces while staying true to the home’s original character. The couple then enlisted Matt Jones of Greater Dayton Building & Remodeling to bring their plans to life. Jones got to work to figure out a design for the reconstruction that would cause the least disruption to the house. “Whenever you are converting a bedroom to a bathroom, bringing the plumbing lines into the room is a big challenge. It often involves cutting holes in staircases and walls and ceilings in other rooms,” he says. “Plus, bathrooms have specific building codes, such as the type of window glass allowed.”
At first glance, it’s hard to believe the rustic wood-look floor in a herringbone design is actually porcelain tile. “People like the look of wood but the maintenance and durability of wood make it a poor choice for bathrooms,” says Jones. “This tile is terrific.”
Courtney wanted a distinctive ceiling for the space, and thought that would mean a tray ceiling. But Jones cautioned that style is “too 1990s” and suggested a single coffer ceiling, only minimally recessed. It certainly is the right topper for the crystal chandelier the homeowners selected.
She began looking for more furnishings and design elements. She also worked closely with Lisa Herd of Greater Dayton Building and Remodeling. “I love being able to show your ideas to someone who’ll tell you if you’re on the right track—and also has suggestions of her own,” Courtney says.
The result is a truly spectacular master bath, continuing the black, white, and gray color palette seen in the master bedroom.
For the shower, if you have glass doors, you better have an incredible look and this shower delivers with ceramic subway tile and marble mosaic inset and accent lines.
Courtney discovered the full-length mirror next to the shower at Ballard Designs outlet in West Chester. “I liked the size and shape—and it was a little scuffed up, adding another antique-like element to the space,” she says.
Courtney and Eric love their new master suite, now complete with a bathroom that Courtney calls a little hideaway. “We loved this house from the minute we saw it and now with this bathroom remodel, we love it even more.”
Resources: Contractor: Greater Dayton Building & Remodeling; Interior design: Matt Jones and Lisa Herd, Greater Dayton Building & Remodeling; Architect: Greg Lauterbach; Master bathroom: Cabinetry: Merillat; Countertops: Silestone Quartz in Lagoon, KBR; Sinks: Kohler, KBR; Faucets and bathtub: Carr Supply; Hardware: Jeffrey Alexander Padua Collection; Shower tile: The Tile Shop; Shower field tile: Streamline, Florida Tile; Floor tile: Sandal Wood glazed porcelain, Mediterranea, Floor & Décor; Sconces: Hinkley Yorktown, Premiere Lighting Gallery; Window treatments: Donna’s Draperies; Paint: Alpaca, Anonymous and Pure White, Sherwin-Williams; Hall bathroom: Cabinetry: Homecrest; Countertop and sinks: Creative Design Marble; Faucets and bathtub: Carr Supply; Hardware: Top Knobs; Shower tile: The Tile Shop; Floor tile: 2-inch matte white hexagon, Florida Tile; Lighting: Premiere Lighting Gallery; Paint: Cloudless and Pure White, Sherwin-Williams; Closet: Custom cabinetry: Pristine Finishes; Hardware: Amerock; Paint: Pure White, Exuberant Pink and Tricorn Black, Sherwin-Williams; Hardwood flooring: Greater Dayton Building & Remodeling