Part 2: Progress of Hello Lovely’s Renovated Bath

It isn’t time for a styled reveal post with pretty decor moments and a finished look, but here’s where we are. Part 1 is here and shares peeks at our bedroom’s reno progress, and it’s feeling sooooo much better thanks to a design that works for us thanks to back breaking DIY labor from my husband. This was an interesting bath remodel for us in that when we bought the house, the primary bath didn’t scare us too much, and we thought it could work as a “his” bath since there are two more second floor baths for me to claim and tweak if need be. Let’s peek at the progress of a 90’s style bath going coastal modern French.

Modern French renovated bath with Louis style arm chair holding basket of towels, column side table with plant, and vintage clawfoot tub - Hello Lovely Studio. Walls are SW Repose Gray. #swreposegray

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Hello Lovely’s Renovated Bath Progress

Even though we didn’t like the dark brown tile and almond grout covering so many surfaces in the bath, we thought maybe we could live with it since a change required such long hard demo, reconstruction and expense.

BEFORE bath with cherrywood vanity, brown granite, brown tiled walk-in shower, and tiled platform with Jacuzzi tub - Hello Lovely Studio
BEFORE

But after one shower, my husband knew the design of the shower would have to be modified. A built-in bench (not seen above or below) was located under the shower head rather than opposite it (to the right of the door, above). So you could not stand directly under the shower head. I’m sure the design makes sense for someone with trouble standing in the shower, but we were not up to the physical challenge of backbends and straining our necks and backs each day.

That decision to correct the shower’s design led to a re-imagining of the entire space, and because of the scope of it as a DIY remodel, we took our time, prioritized function over aesthetics, and held all of our ideas loosely. The floor tile, tub platform and steps, and jetted tub were the first elements demolished. Then demo of the shower tile began:

During demo of our primary bath at the Georgian - Hello Lovely Studio.

We initially planned to refinish the existing vanity, re-install it at a proper adult height, and top it with marble. However, once we calculated the amount of labor for refinishing the wood and received estimates on custom stone or quartz for the top, it no longer made sense. We didn’t trash the old vanity. Instead, we are repurposing the three bases in another space.

SW Repose Gray on walls, Shaker style white vanities, modern LED medicine cabinets, and white marble mosaic herringbone tiled floor in our modern French renovated bath at the Georgian - Hello Lovely Studio.

We loved the idea of introducing classic, modern, minimal, Shaker style his and her vanity cabinets. Each is 36″ wide, leaving about a foot in between for a narrow basket, hamper, open shelves or nothing as we have now. We bought the carrera marble tops with rectangular integrated sinks separately. One of the design decisions that made a significant difference was installing new vanity sconces higher on the wall. Notice how they were low before in order to cast light on the mirror:

The primary bath before renovation - dark brown vanity, dark brown granite top, and tons of brown tile - Hello Lovely Studio.

We didn’t mind the sheet mirror, but high on my husband’s wish list was a medicine cabinet with tons of storage so it needed to go. After living without medicine cabinets or adequate closed storage in our last home, it was time to give ourselves abundant space for toiletries. We found modern LED mirrored cabinets that light the face, contain more lighting and outlets inside, and feature a night light on the door. The only catch was the surprise we found when we opened the wall to recess them: plumbing (see below) in the way! So instead of replumbing the whole shebang and recessing them fully, they are semi-recessed.

Vanity wall with medicine cabinet cutouts during primary bathroom renovation and construction at the Georgian - Hello Lovely Studio

The vintage clawfoot tub is from a 1920s cottage in Madison, WI, and what a day of celebration it was for me to finally see it installed in the same place the outdated and hazardous tub platform was.

SW Repose Gray walls in modern French renovated bath with vintage clawfoot tub - Hello Lovely Studio. #swreposegray

Here’s that space at an earlier stage of construction. I am still not sure whether I’ll add wainsoct panels, beadboard or wall tile to this area. I want to live with it before deciding (told you I take my time!). I placed wood Roman numerals on the shelf for now (they signify the year we were married).

Clawfoot tub area during drywall stage of renovation of primary bath at the Georgian - Hello Lovely Studio

While the wall color may appear to be the same color as the bedroom (SW Agreeable Gray), that color wasn’t right with the veining in tile and marble vanity tops so we opted for SW Repose Gray.

Repose Gray is a cooler grey with blue undertones. Agreeable Gray can go green on you, and while you don’t notice the colors are different as you transition from bed to bath, the subtle difference looks much better.

White Shaker style bath vanity with Edwardian style polished nickel faucet and modern mirrored medicine cabinet in our modern French renovated bath - Hello Lovely Studio.

The border around the mirrored medicine cabinet you see above is actually light. When you touch the little round night light, the border becomes illumined. It’s such a bonus to have multiple light sources for daytime, night, makeup application, and ambient mood lighting.

Vanity wall in bathroom after removal at the Georgian - Hello Lovely Studio.

We even added another source of light at face level: the lantern-style wall sconce. There wasn’t room for three of these on the vanity wall because of the size of the mirrors and layout. So this is a more unique compromise with lighting above and at face level.

Shaker style white vanities with marble tops, lantern sconce, modern LED medicine cabinets, and SW Repose Gray on wall in modern French renovated bath at the Georgian - Hello Lovely Studio.

We love these traditional style, polished nickel bath faucets for their high quality and timelessness.

Detail of Edwardian style polished nickel bath faucet and carrera marble vanity top in our renovated bath at the Georgian - Hello Lovely Studio.

Where there was once glass at the end of the shower, there is now a tiled wall with a vintage salvaged window. I just love this custom look, and it has such a timeless look that won’t look out of place 10 years from now.

Vintage salvaged arched window with original hardware installed in our renovated shower with marble look porcelain at the Georgian - Hello Lovely Studio.

The tub area has such a different feel from where we began:

BEFORE Jacuzzi tub and brown tiled platform in the Georgian primary bath - Hello Lovely Studio.
BEFORE

It’s like we went from the 1990s to the 1920s.

Clawfoot tub area during drywall stage of renovation of primary bath at the Georgian - Hello Lovely Studio

We were able to design the custom shower in the same foot print as the original one…mainly because we decided not to change the ceiling soffit which would entail lots of complications. It’s a large shower (over 6′ long rather than the standard 5′), and we kept the original door. We’ll repurpose the glass from the half wall somewhere else.

SW Repose Gray walls, white Grecian herringbone marble mosaic tile floor, vintage clawfoot tub, and spa like walk in shower in our modern French renovated bath at the Georgian - Hello Lovely Studio.

There’s plenty of space near the tub for a variety of design elements, and I have a chair and accent table in the corner presently. A petite makeup vanity, a pantry for linens, a full length leaner mirror, or other features would work.

White Grecian herringbone marble mosaic tile floor, vintage clawfoot tub, and Louis chair in our modern French renovated bath at the Georgian - Hello Lovely Studio.

The herringbone marble mosaic tiled floor was the big splurge item for the bath, and it’s even better than we imagined. I can’t say enough about how it adds age, luxury, beauty, interest, and modern French allure.

Modern French renovated bath with Louis style arm chair holding basket of towels, column side table with plant, and vintage clawfoot tub - Hello Lovely Studio. Walls are SW Repose Gray. #swreposegray

We kept the same tile consistent for the shower floor and shower niche, and even though this image seems to suggest the tile is grey, it has a very blue-grey look to it in natural light that we adore.

Detail of Grecian white marble mosaic herringbone tiled shower floor and marble look porcelain wall tile - Hello Lovely Studio.

New bath mats and towels were in order with all of the new, and I’m so crazy about the offerings from Cozy Earth.

I had the hardest time finding the most basic, quality, cushiony bath mat, and finally I landed on this one from Cozy Earth:

Cozy Earth dark gray waffle weave washcloths and white bath mat in a modern French bedroom suite - Hello Lovely Studio.

Definitely check them out if you aren’t familiar with the brand.

Here’s a glimpse of the bath from just outside the pocket door, and it truly is a dramatic change in spite of the fact that we left the fixtures in their original places. We did have to modify the plumbing a bit to line up properly with the vanities and tub.

View from pocket door of vanities and herringbone marble mosaic tiled floor in our modern French renovated bath at the Georgian - Hello Lovely Studio. Walls are SW Repose Gray.

Here’s another in process shot before vanities were in place or the door to the WC was painted.

So happy to be living with carrera marble again after more than a year here with dark counters.

Modern LED medicine cabinet, carrera marble topped vanity, and Edwardian polished nickel faucet in our modern French renovated bath at the Georgian - Hello Lovely Studio.

Here’s a before shot where you can see the soffit over the tub area to which I referred. It’s not my favorite, but it’s one of those compromises you make when there are so many changes to make.

BEFORE bath with cherrywood vanity, brown granite, brown tiled walk-in shower, and tiled platform with Jacuzzi tub - Hello Lovely Studio
BEFORE

Another compromise was the lighting. I prefer a chandelier in the center of the bath along with wall sconces flanking mirrors over the vanities. However, a ceiling speaker in the center of the ceiling was something my husband wanted to remain, and we didn’t have enough space to accommodate sconces flanking the medicine cabinets.

White Grecian herringbone marble mosaic tile floor, vintage clawfoot tub, and Louis chair in our modern French renovated bath at the Georgian - Hello Lovely Studio.

But even with the compromises, we didn’t have to compromise on function which guided the whole design. You can see the view from the bath toward the sitting room door below:

SW Repose Gray walls, Louis style tufted armchair, linen curtains, and herringbone marble mosaic tile floor in our modern French renovated bath at the Georgian - Hello Lovely Studio.

And here’s an in process shot from inside the sitting room toward the pocket door to the bath:

During construction of turret sitting room wall with archway at the Georgian - Hello Lovely Studio

Below, you can see the door to the WC on the right:

View of white painted door to WC, pocket door, and arched door to sitting room in our renovated suite at the Georgian - Hello Lovely Studio.

So much storage in this bath compared to our last home!

White Shaker style bath vanity with Edwardian style polished nickel faucet and modern mirrored medicine cabinet in our modern French renovated bath - Hello Lovely Studio.

And I love how the polished nickel faucets are similar to the Perrin & Rowe kitchen faucet we chose for the farm sink. You can see detail of it here:

Detail of Edwardian bath faucet and carrera marble vanity top in bath at the Georgian - Hello Lovely Studio.

The toughest material to source for this bath renovation? Wall tile. I can’t tell you how many tile samples we brought into the space before landing on this one from our local Menard’s store. The color, veining, and soft marshmallow-like finish is lovely.

Lantern style vanity lighting on marble look porcelain tiled wall with modern LED medicine cabinets over Shaker style vanities with marble tops - modern French bath renovation at the Georgian by Hello Lovely Studio.

More angles in the WC because 1992 I guess!

SW Agreeable Gray on walls in WC in our renovated bath with herringbone marble mosaic tile floor - Hello Lovely Studio.

What I love about the old window in here is not just that the natural light streams in from the windows beyond it, but how much easier it is to keep clean and looking good. A crusty old window with its original glass doesn’t need to look perfect. It adds such character!

Vintage salvaged arched window with original hardware installed in our renovated shower with marble look porcelain at the Georgian - Hello Lovely Studio.

The white linen curtains are lined Belgian linen from RH, and the towels from Zig Zag Zurich are top notch. Again, I haven’t finished decorating or styling in here.

SW Repose Gray walls in modern French renovated bath with vintage clawfoot tub - Hello Lovely Studio. #swreposegray

New bath linens are such an easy way to refresh!

Cozy Earth waffle weave washcloths and bathmat detail - Hello Lovely Studio.

I’ll share a final reveal post soon, and if you haven’t seen our progress in the bedroom, see THIS.

Modern French renovated bath with Louis style arm chair holding basket of towels, column side table with plant, and vintage clawfoot tub - Hello Lovely Studio. Walls are SW Repose Gray. #swreposegray

We are hoping to address the walk-in closet in the next month so stay tuned!

Modern French renovated bath with Louis style arm chair holding basket of towels, column side table with plant, and vintage clawfoot tub - Hello Lovely Studio. Walls are SW Repose Gray. #swreposegray

Peace to you right where you are.

-michele

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14 Comments

  1. meg bus
    April 17, 2023 / 5:35 am

    This bath is amazing! I can’t believe all of the work. It made me exhausted just looking at it! In glad you somehow found the energy to take out that bath. All I can say is Bless your Hearts!

    • Michele
      Author
      April 17, 2023 / 12:54 pm

      Hahaha – this house is taking us so long since we need breaks from the work and are trying to have somewhat of a life aside from DIY. Thanks for the blessing!

  2. Suzi Wollman
    April 17, 2023 / 11:54 am

    What a beautiful redo!

    • Michele
      Author
      April 17, 2023 / 12:54 pm

      Thanks for the kind words and peeking at our progress! It is feeling so much more like home. 🙂

  3. Jenny L Wonders
    April 17, 2023 / 5:21 pm

    I can’t even tell you how much I love everything you’ve done! So gorgeous!

    • Michele
      Author
      April 17, 2023 / 6:22 pm

      I’m so glad! Of course you have to come over soon, Jenny! 🙂

  4. April 17, 2023 / 7:18 pm

    Oh, my goodness, your former bath design was identical to the main bath in the home I owned and sold 5 years ago, after updating. Even the same vanity lights which were hung so low over 2 small framed mirrors (with double dark cherry vanity with black granite counter), when facing them… all I could see was my chin and I’m only 5’3″! The Jacuzzi tub was dangerous to enter and exit due to wide expanse of dark brown tile surround, then made slippery by the humidity created by simply taking a warm bath. What a lovely transformation you two accomplished! And the charming window added to the shower! Adore the new-to-you-tub. So pretty- enjoy, Michele!

    • Michele
      Author
      April 18, 2023 / 12:12 pm

      Thanks so much for the kind words. The window sort of makes the shower feel like a separate sanctuary, almost chapel-like. You had this bath too! Wow! It must have been a typical look for the time, and the mirror placement for you must have driven you nuts. While we could have simply swapped out fixtures, there was no way we could ever love the expanse of brown everything or get used to it. Thank goodness the old is gone and the new is so uplifting.

      • April 18, 2023 / 2:09 pm

        The previous owners updated the whole bath in 2005 and I coined it “Tuscan Crypt” motif- which of course I did not say to them at closing 😉 The house was built around 2000 and was not Italian style architecture. At our ages, eyes begin to refract light differently and a light-filled bath is imperative. I agree about your shower window- it feels like a serene sanctuary.

        • Michele
          Author
          April 18, 2023 / 6:41 pm

          I would caution anyone about using dark brown so boldly in a bath – there are obvious unsavory connotations but it’s also a serious, formal, non-reflective choice. Lighting has been so critical to correct in this whole house DIY project, and so many folks underestimate how it transforms spaces. Years ago, our realtor at the time showed us a house for which we had strong interest, and there was no light inside or anywhere near the shower. We knew very well how much work would be required to correct and demo the shower ceiling and wall tile, and our realtor suggested the bath really didn’t need to be corrected since I would look better in that low lighting situation. *WishSheWasJoking Not the response I was expecting from the professional representing us and not the seller. Hahahaha. We have a different agent now. 🙂

  5. Amy
    April 17, 2023 / 11:40 pm

    Love it so much!! Y’all do amazing work…the hubs and you!!

    • Michele
      Author
      April 18, 2023 / 12:06 pm

      Thanks, Amy. I am more of a visionary and am so fortunate to have a talented craftsman on my team. 🙂

  6. E
    December 17, 2023 / 6:59 pm

    Hi’ do you have a link to the herringbone marble?? It’s lovely

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Let’s SHOP!

White Slipcovered Sofa
SHOP MY HOME!
29″ Whitewashed Table Lamp Set of 2
White Matelasse Quilt on MY BED
SHOP MY BATH!
Trees White Wallpaper Mural
Round Farmhouse Table
Myla Slipcover Sofa
Deconstructed Wingback Bed
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Milagro Heart
Slipcovered Dining Chair
Rustic Farmhouse Stool
Edgecombe End Table
Parisian Style Iron Table Lamp  33.5″
Black or Bronze Accent Table
French Stripe Basket Set
White Cotton Crochet Bed Skirt
French Country Rattan Basket Set
Marble Subway Mosaic Tile
Rattan Basket With Lid
White Ruffle Bedding
Seagrass Basket Set
Schumacher Wild Things Wallpaper
Slipcovered Sofa
Upholstered Dining Arm Chair
Shop My Breakfast Nook
White Matelasse Quilt
Tree Mural Wallpaper
Faux Potted French Lavender
Shaw Daybed
Distressed White French Country Chandelier
French Country Headboard
Oval Back Counter Stool, Set of 2
Antique Brass Pharmacy Floor Lamp
Round French Tufted Ottoman
Kinston Wood Bench
Italian Candelabra Chandelier
Slipcovered Linen Chair
Warner Upholstered Bench
Rustic Country French Dresser
Laurel Wreath Mirror
Round Farmhouse Dining Table
Reclaimed Wood Dresser
Louis Upholstered Bench
Pardon My French Doormat
Stripe Turkish Towel Throw
Pamela Arm Chair
Sweater Weave Basket
French Carved Wood Chandelier
Terracotta Pots & Basket
French Country Wood Chandelier
French Linen Dining Chair
Gustavian Cabinet
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Bar Stool
Beachy White Slipcovered Sofa
Rattan Armchair
Diptyque Oyedo Candle
Cross Back Dining Chair
French Country Candle Holder
French Industrial Metal Chairs (4)
Designer Favorite Wall Mirror
Holborn Lantern Pendant
French Country 6-Light Chandelier
Tray Side Table
French Country Upholstered Arm Chair
Wicker Trunk Set
French Ticking Stripe Pillow
Jute Area Rug
Mohair Throw
Rustic Industrial Farmhouse Shelves
Belgian Linen Sofa
White Duvet & Bedding
Rustic Wood Candlestick Set
French Market Basket
Linen Modern Wing Chair
French Country Farmhouse Baskets
Concrete Pillar Table Lamp
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Style Lamp
Kendall Skirted Dining Chair
White Charleston Sofa
Scrubbed Wood 5-Light Chandelier
Arched Champagne Wall Mirror
Moravian Star 1-Light Pendant
Highback Armchair
Mini Pendant Light
White Vase Set
Round Woven Placemat Set
Cashmere Throw With Fringe
Wreath Doormat
Fireclay Farm Sink (Reinhard, 30″)
White Waffle Coverlet
Light Grey Vienna Quilt
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Linen Duvet Set
Round Marble Side Table
Rustic Pedestal Farm Table
Rattan Hanging Chair Swing