Room Tour: Modern Country Bathroom
Contemporary fixtures and tiles provide a versatile base for fun vintage details
Hi There! I currently live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe as "collected."
I got into design via Landscape Architecture, which I studied at the University of Virginia. I've been writing about design online for quite a few years over at Hatch: The Design Public Blog.
Hi There! I currently live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe... More »
When designer Kelley Motschenbacher and her husband moved from their beach house in Corona del Mar to this '50s ranch in Ojai, Calif., they knew they had their work cut out for them. Inspired by the surrounding citrus farms, they decided to go for a modern country look, which she describes as "contemporary details with country thrown in."
First on the project list: gutting and renovating two bathrooms. "In renovating older bathrooms, we had to go down to the studs and install new plumbing, new wiring and new insulation," Motschenbacher says. The work was worth it. Now that they are done with this phase and are moving on to the kitchen, we can take a detailed look at the guest bath, a room where the smallest of details count more than in any other place.
You may remember the beach house; to refresh your memory, their Houzz Tour is here.
First on the project list: gutting and renovating two bathrooms. "In renovating older bathrooms, we had to go down to the studs and install new plumbing, new wiring and new insulation," Motschenbacher says. The work was worth it. Now that they are done with this phase and are moving on to the kitchen, we can take a detailed look at the guest bath, a room where the smallest of details count more than in any other place.
You may remember the beach house; to refresh your memory, their Houzz Tour is here.
One of the first moves Mostchenbacher made was moving the bathroom door. "A lot of '50s ranches have long narrow hallways, and no windows in the bathrooms" she explained. The door was centered for a view from the living room, and the vanity was placed so that it would be in the center of this view.
Although you can't see it, she had the top panel of this door removed and replaced with opaque glass to let light in from other rooms.
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Although you can't see it, she had the top panel of this door removed and replaced with opaque glass to let light in from other rooms.
Instead of spending $3,000 on a vanity from a catalog, Motschenbacher repurposed a $300 antique farm table full of peeling-paint character. She also found a relatively inexpensive rectangular vessel sink and faucet combo from Kraus for around $200.
Sconces: Schoolhouse Electric
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Sconces: Schoolhouse Electric
"I love this faucet because its shape reminds me of an old water pump," Mostchenbacher says. She placed the faucet at the corner of the sink ito leave room behind it for flowers.
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It also left room for this French baguette basket to hold soaps. "These artisanal soaps are made by Maak, and they are vegan and beautiful," she says.
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Here is one of the many examples of the fun little details that Motschenbacher paid careful attention to. The original button-like knob on this drawer ...
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| ... is emulated in the large button drain detail in the sink. Private Comment
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With a little TLC, this medicine cabinet's peeling gray-green paint made a perfect match for the Carrara tiles used around the bathroom.
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Antique glass accessories like these jars also complement the colors in the tile.
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| Before the corner cabinet: As for bathroom items that don't fit into pretty glass jars, Motschenbacher says, "I knew I'd need more storage for the kinds of things I didn't want to leave out in the open, like extra toilet paper, Band-aids and extra bottles of shampoo. I thought I'd find an apothecary-style cabinet at some point." Private Comment
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However, when she came across this odd-shaped door, she knew she had her cabinet. It's 7.5 feet tall and only 26 inches wide. By the way, this is Dave, a member of the team who helped build the bathroom.
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After: "Because we were able to create a corner cabinet, it doesn't take up much space," Motschenbacher explains.
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The inside of the corner cabinet is a simple pickled pine, and provides plenty of room for bathroom items that should be kept out of site.
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Because the door was a $60 salvage score, there was money in the budget for some fun details. Motschenbacher added this darling woodpecker doorknocker to the cabinet. When you twist the knob, it makes him peck.
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In this picture you can see how playing with tile scale created consistency. The single pane of clear stationary glass allows continuity from the shower stall to the rest of the bathroom.
There is a rectangular detail in the smallest Carrara tiles on the floor, and the same size tiles were used to cover the shower floor. The chair-rail height detail in a larger size of the same tile continues from the shower around the rest of the bathroom.
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There is a rectangular detail in the smallest Carrara tiles on the floor, and the same size tiles were used to cover the shower floor. The chair-rail height detail in a larger size of the same tile continues from the shower around the rest of the bathroom.
The top of the shower uses the same Carrara in an even larger tile. "The whole thing is a play on scale," Motschenbacher says. "A great trick is to use repetitive details in different scales so that things don't look too busy."
The white subway tiles are by Daltile, available at Home Depot; the Carrara tiles are a mix of tiles from Home Depot and from DEKO Tile.
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The white subway tiles are by Daltile, available at Home Depot; the Carrara tiles are a mix of tiles from Home Depot and from DEKO Tile.
Another repetitive element in different scales: the square shower fixtures. For about $50, she found a shower drain that coordinated with the other fixtures (you'll have to click on this picture to see the drain).
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| Also included in the composition are two shower niches. "I always place them close to the showerhead and I always include two," Motschenbacher says. "Sometimes I line them up side by side, sometimes one on top of the other, depending on the design." Private Comment
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Motschenbacher scooped up this jadite handle on eBay for $12; because it was from the '50s, it was a perfect choice. The lavender towels are foutas, "the oldest towels in the world," hand-loomed in Tunisia and used historically in Turkish baths.
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Were you wondering about that gorgeous lavender plant's survival in a windowless bathroom? Motschenbacher kept it in a favorite vintage market basket to add its wonderful scent to the bathroom. Once it looked like it was fading for lack of natural light, she planted it in the yard.
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| Motschenbacher loves to collect and display vintage signs; this one accentuates the country character of this bathroom. Private Comment
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| This sign was another fun vintage find, as was the shelf she unearthed at a local antique store for $75. Private Comment
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This bathroom's contemporary bones, including the tile, fixtures and clear glass shower panel, make it a versatile room that can take on lots of personalities.
"It would be easy to change the feel of this bathroom, perhaps going more nautical by replacing the antique baskets with L.L. Bean canvas totes," Motschenbacher says. Here's how she switched up a few small accessories on the shelf.
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"It would be easy to change the feel of this bathroom, perhaps going more nautical by replacing the antique baskets with L.L. Bean canvas totes," Motschenbacher says. Here's how she switched up a few small accessories on the shelf.
Here you can see how she switched things up by replacing a basket with a folding chair (a $9 garage-sale score). Galvanized tin buckets for towels and minimal accessories could lend a more industrial look. The possibilities are endless.
More:
Houzz Tour: Warm Country Charm
Houzz Tour: A Sweet Southern Makeover
Get the Look: Sophisticated Country Style
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More:
Houzz Tour: Warm Country Charm
Houzz Tour: A Sweet Southern Makeover
Get the Look: Sophisticated Country Style
Comments
Tricia Rose says:
I love Kelley's attention to detail and thoughtful solutions (corner cupboard!) It makes for such an interesting and welcoming home.
5 months ago ·
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Brian Wimbish says:
What Great job....of working with what you've got and accomplishing what you need...and or desire ...
5 months ago ·
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Ellen T. says:
The most interesting and beautiful bathroom I've seen. I especially appreciated the differing options listed at the end. It's nice when something so unique can be adjusted for a new look.
I'm getting ready to renovate my master bedroom and bath and will be keeping this bathroom in mind as I make choices. Thanks.
I'm getting ready to renovate my master bedroom and bath and will be keeping this bathroom in mind as I make choices. Thanks.
5 months ago ·
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fearlessfemme says:
very inspiring; i'm in the middle of a bathroom reno and this has helped me with some of my choices - and confirmed my decision to use a vintage table as my vanity!
5 months ago ·
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Becky Harris says:
I should have mentioned that Kelley chronicles her renovations in her blog, The Polished Pebble. It's really fun to follow!
http://ppebble.blogspot.com/
http://ppebble.blogspot.com/
5 months ago ·
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Kelley & Company Home says:
Thank you Becky and thank you all for the wonderful comments. This is a fun and different approach but very classic too. I have to add the the vanity is the best part of this project....and a steal for 300 dollars!
5 months ago ·
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silvercreekgardener says:
This is not how I would have categorized modern country.
5 months ago ·
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patscats2 says:
I cannot get use to those above the counter sinks like this one. Maybe because I'm short and would be struggling to get over it to use without making a mess. I think that sink ruins the entire look of the room.
5 months ago ·
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Ide Cohen says:
Too much happening and I don't like the mixture of old and contemporary. It isn't working here.
5 months ago ·
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Kelley & Company Home says:
I can appreciate the comments about how the "Modern Country" look is not working for some of you, however photos of this room have been uploaded into hundreds of idea books...so I guess it works for those looking for refreshing and interesting interior design and not the usual stuff we see in model homes and big box stores.
Additionally, the room is actually quite spare and there is very little in the way of clutter which we see in many bathrooms and kitchens. It is a modern take on the classic country bathroom.
thanks again Becky!
kelley
Additionally, the room is actually quite spare and there is very little in the way of clutter which we see in many bathrooms and kitchens. It is a modern take on the classic country bathroom.
thanks again Becky!
kelley
1anessa says:
I love it! I have been adding a lot of rustic pieces into my home. I love using furniture and repurposing it for a new purpose. I actually found a medicine cabinet and put in my bathroom. I also use old doors a lot.
9 days ago ·
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Becky Harris says:
Anessa, we have the same taste - I have vintage medicine cabinets and doors repurposed throughout my home - the old drafty exterior back door from my home with windows (now frosted) now serves as my downstairs bathroom door, and there are two vintage medicine cabinets in said bathroom :) I love the way that Kelley uses vintage pieces so much, especially the way she mixes old and new.
9 days ago ·
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