Take a Bathroom and a Laundry From Dated to Dreamy
Dave Feibusch and Janine Thomson of White Plains, New York, were in the early planning stage of a bathroom remodel when Thomson stumbled on the Dream Bathroom and Dream Laundry Room Sweepstakes from Lowe’s and Houzz. On a whim she entered, but she didn’t expect to win. Imagine her surprise when she received a call just three weeks later telling her that she was the lucky contestant. “I couldn’t believe it,” she says. “Neither could my husband.” Disbelief quickly turned into excitement when they teamed up with Jeff Blum, a designer on Houzz, to make a spa-like space.
“After” photos by Rikki Snyder
“After” photos by Rikki Snyder
BEFORE: Thomson says when they purchased their home a few years ago, it was for the location. “We always planned to work on it,” she says. The couple wanted to get rid of items such as a ceiling fan with blades in rainbow colors and sliding pegboard doors on the cabinets.
AFTER: What they did want was a nature-inspired retreat, says designer Blum, of Sixzero6 Design. “They work hard, and they wanted a comfortable place to relax and unwind,” he says. Also high on the list: more functional storage.
He swapped cabinets for drawers. (They’re “better than a cavernous space under the sink where you end up storing — and knocking over — big bottles,” he says.) He also replaced the existing mirror and a small medicine cabinet with one large mirrored medicine cabinet. “We took out a little linen closet to make room for a separate shower and tub,” Blum says. “Since I took away that storage, I replaced it with more efficient storage.”
He chose a black vanity to complement the neutral, nature-based colors in the rest of the room.
All products from Lowe’s. Tub: Jacuzzi Mio 2-Person White Acrylic Oval Whirlpool Tub; faux-wood tile: Style Selections Natural Timber Cinnamon Glazed Porcelain; gray tile: Style Selections Mitte Gray Glazed Porcelain; accent wall tile: Desert Quartz Ledgestone
He swapped cabinets for drawers. (They’re “better than a cavernous space under the sink where you end up storing — and knocking over — big bottles,” he says.) He also replaced the existing mirror and a small medicine cabinet with one large mirrored medicine cabinet. “We took out a little linen closet to make room for a separate shower and tub,” Blum says. “Since I took away that storage, I replaced it with more efficient storage.”
He chose a black vanity to complement the neutral, nature-based colors in the rest of the room.
All products from Lowe’s. Tub: Jacuzzi Mio 2-Person White Acrylic Oval Whirlpool Tub; faux-wood tile: Style Selections Natural Timber Cinnamon Glazed Porcelain; gray tile: Style Selections Mitte Gray Glazed Porcelain; accent wall tile: Desert Quartz Ledgestone
The room is lighter, thanks to a new, larger window and a skylight. “The room is so bright, we rarely have to turn on the lights,” says Thomson.
The couple also wanted ledgestone tile and a jetted tub. Blum chose this tile, which mimics the look of stacked stone, to marry the gray and brown tones in the room. “I love the natural look of it,” Thomson says. “It’s like the outdoors have come inside.”
“These homeowners knew exactly what they wanted, and it was a breath of fresh air,” Blum says. “A lot of their inspiration photos contained concrete, so we gave them a porcelain tile that has that look. What appears to be wood on the floor and tub surround is actually a tile.”
On the floor the faux-wood tile covers a new radiant heating system.
Skylight: Velux, Lowe’s
Learn more about ledgestone
The couple also wanted ledgestone tile and a jetted tub. Blum chose this tile, which mimics the look of stacked stone, to marry the gray and brown tones in the room. “I love the natural look of it,” Thomson says. “It’s like the outdoors have come inside.”
“These homeowners knew exactly what they wanted, and it was a breath of fresh air,” Blum says. “A lot of their inspiration photos contained concrete, so we gave them a porcelain tile that has that look. What appears to be wood on the floor and tub surround is actually a tile.”
On the floor the faux-wood tile covers a new radiant heating system.
Skylight: Velux, Lowe’s
Learn more about ledgestone
Toasty feet are accompanied by warm towels, thanks to a towel warmer. “These elements are so cozy,” says Thomson. “It’s incredibly comfortable in this room.”
Comfort is met by invigoration in the shower. The shower fixture is equipped with a rain showerhead and multiple body jets. It’s the perfect thing for this couple, who routinely log 6-mile runs.
Showerhead with body jets: Hansgrohe, Lowe’s
Comfort is met by invigoration in the shower. The shower fixture is equipped with a rain showerhead and multiple body jets. It’s the perfect thing for this couple, who routinely log 6-mile runs.
Showerhead with body jets: Hansgrohe, Lowe’s
A sketch helps explain how everything fits together — and how the designer fit a double sink, a tub for two and a shower stall into one 8- by 9-foot bathroom.
See an overview of standard bathroom measurements and clearances
See an overview of standard bathroom measurements and clearances
Previously the family didn’t have a proper laundry room. The washer and dryer were tucked into an unfinished corner of the basement. Blum turned the cinderblock space into a proper room lined with drywall. For storage he used a system marketed for garages. “The units are easy to move — they are on casters,” he says. “Later, if the couple decides to move them when they address a whole-house remodel, it will be easier.”
All products from Lowe’s. Folding workbench: Gladiator; storage cabinet with doors: Gladiator Multipurpose Cabinet; storage cabinet with drawers: Gladiator Multipurpose Cabinet; storage locker: Gladiator Multipurpose Cabinet; wall storage rails: Gladiator Resin Wall Storage Panels; mesh baskets: Gladiator; wire baskets: Gladiator
All products from Lowe’s. Folding workbench: Gladiator; storage cabinet with doors: Gladiator Multipurpose Cabinet; storage cabinet with drawers: Gladiator Multipurpose Cabinet; storage locker: Gladiator Multipurpose Cabinet; wall storage rails: Gladiator Resin Wall Storage Panels; mesh baskets: Gladiator; wire baskets: Gladiator
That is, in fact, the plan. Down the road they want to update the entire house.
This was not only the first step, it was also their first remodel. Now that they are renovation veterans, Thomson has some advice: “We only have one bathroom. During this whole process, we used a camping toilet and showered at the gym. My first piece of advice would be to add a second bathroom before you remodel the first,” she says.
“My next piece of advice is to do a lot of research and look at many photos before you begin,” she adds. “That way you will know what you like and what you want.”
See how to use Houzz to find and save room designs
This was not only the first step, it was also their first remodel. Now that they are renovation veterans, Thomson has some advice: “We only have one bathroom. During this whole process, we used a camping toilet and showered at the gym. My first piece of advice would be to add a second bathroom before you remodel the first,” she says.
“My next piece of advice is to do a lot of research and look at many photos before you begin,” she adds. “That way you will know what you like and what you want.”
See how to use Houzz to find and save room designs
