Case Study: Guest Bath Refresh

Designing with Intention, Within Constraints

When our client came to us, she was mid-reno on her guest bathroom that also doubled as the powder room—and felt creatively stuck. She had already selected and installed a vanity, mirror and light fixture but the room started to unintentionally veer into a farmhouse style that didn't reflect her overall taste or tone of the rest of her home.

The Power of a Vision Board

We began, as we do with every project, by creating a vision board. This important tool serves as a visual inspiration and practical guidance to our design process. A vision board can help establish the design concept of the space, clarify the client's preferences and ensure that every material, finish and color we bring in supports a cohesive look.

For this project, our goal was to honor the existing vanity, mirror and light fixture (which naturally leaned a bit more farmhouse) toward something cleaner, modern and transitional.

Working with What's There

One of the biggest challenges—and opportunities—was working within the constraints of what was already installed. We embraced the white vanity and matte black fixtures and built the rest of the palette around those foundational choices.

The client had originally painted the walls Agreeable Gray, but because of the room layout and limited natural light, the paint reflected a cool purple undertone against the black and white notes.

We recommend a soft white paint to brighten the room while creating a more timeless, airy feel.

From there, we'll focus on carefully balancing tone and texture:

• Warm brushed metal accents to soften the cooler black fixtures

• Textured fabrics (like a woven window shade and a neutral, muted bath mat) to add warmth and layered dimensions

• Natural wood and soft linen hues that echo the home’s overall style

• Art and accessories with subtle character that bring in visual interest and charm (bonus points if the art is personal!!)

Design That Reflects the Whole Home

We always design with the entire home in mind. The bathroom shouldn't feel like a design outlier. It should feel like a natural extension of the house. In this case, we ensured that the materials and tone of the guest bath connected with the overall style of the house: neutral, bright and charming with a modern edge.

This refresh proves that even with some existing pieces in place, thoughtful design can pull everything together in a beautiful and functional way.

Final Thoughts

Design isn’t just about starting from scratch—it’s about bringing clarity, cohesion and creativity to what you already have. With a clear vision and expert guidance, even a challenging space can become something you’re proud to share with guests.

Follow along to watch us bring this space to life!

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Interested in your own bathroom refresh? Let’s chat! Book a discovery call to see how we can bring your space to life—with clarity and style.