3 Bathroom Renovations Show The Power Of Reinvention

By Wendy Jacob On August 2nd, 2023

From a French-inspired principal ensuite to a vintage-look bathroom, these designers offer three great looks for a bathroom makeover.

Plus, get their expert reno advice on style, layout, budget and more. Scroll down!

Look #1: Timeless Vintage

The Designer: Luke Havekes

How Long Did The Renovation Take: 5 Months

Size: 150 Sq. Ft.

Custom Elements: Vanity, mirrors, shower doors, mosaic floor tile

Biggest Challenge: Create a new ensuite from an awkward corner in the principal bedroom

Style Goal: A vintage-look bathroom that feels original

What He Did: Built a barrel vault above to disguise the angled ceiling • Selected heritage elements including a clawfoot tub and metal shower enclosure for European character • Installed a mosaic floor tile in a historical fan pattern • Painted the vanity in Farrow & Ball’s Hague Blue

Money Talk: This reno rang in at approximately $250,000

Designer Advice: Balance a lopsided sloped ceiling without removing volume with a barrel vault • Invest in high-quality elements like metal- framed shower doors, which have a classic look • Introduce contrast with a deep-hued vanity in a white bathroom • Break up horizontal wainscotting with capsule-shaped mirrors • Amp up comfort with a heated bench and floor in the shower

Designer Luke Havekes created the principal bathroom in this Tudor Revival home in the Priest’s Farm neighborhood of Westmount, Que., paying homage to its circa-1920s roots. The clawfoot tub and porcelain lever taps have timeless appeal.

A black border in the shower floor accents the black-framed enclosure. Both the floor and shower bench are thermally heated.

The pairing of polished chrome and Carrara marble is always elegant.

Look #2: French Glam

The Designer: Shirley Meisels, Mhouse

Size: 200 Sq. Ft.

Custom Elements: Cabinets, shower door, pouf (under vanity)

Biggest Challenge: A cavernous room with a disjointed layout and an unusable three-foot-high space behind the tub

Style Goal: A glamorous Parisian apartment look

What She Did: Bumped out the wall to disguise the awkward sloped ceiling • Created an arched, panelled wall with a brass mosaic–tiled alcove to envelop the tub • Installed floor tile with a brass inlay bordered in black to carry the brass into the rest of the bathroom • Added definition with a black, aluminum-framed shower enclosure

Money Talk: This reno cost approximately $150,000, including roughly $11,000 for plumbing, $5,700 for the brass tile, $4,649 for the tub and $2,163 for the pendant

Designer Advice: Turn an architectural eyesore into a feature • Don’t be afraid to sacrifice square footage if it makes the room more cohesive • Balance pretty elements with more tailored details like the metal shower enclosure for contrast

A big bathroom doesn’t necessarily equal a functional one, says Shirley, after surveying the former principal ensuite in a 20-year-old home in Thornhill, Ont. Shirley had been renovating the home in stages, and this bathroom was the last piece of the puzzle. The new tub alcove is lined in brass mosaic tile, accented by a metallic Discoco 68 pendant.

The full-length mirror has a carved, gilded frame.

A floating custom cabinet installed under the window holds toiletries, extra towels and books

A black shower enclosure and floor border temper the bathroom’s more glam elements.

“Fluting can be very hip when used in a modern way, but it’s also elegant and crisp,” says Shirley. “It lends itself well to different styles.

Brass Arabia Gold mosaic tile creates a golden halo effect around the tub.

Look #3 Contemporary Global

The Designer: Maria Nordlund

How Long Did The Renovation Take: 5 Months

Size: 108. Sq. Ft.

Custom Elements: Vanity, concrete sink, sliding door

Biggest Challenge: Creating a layered, personal look with natural materials in a newly built bathroom

Style Goal: A global-inspired space with a wabi-sabi twist

What She Did: Transformed brass plates bought by the homeowners at a Moroccan souk into wall lights • Selected a Japanese ofuro tub • Created a Moroccan rug effect with a tile accent wall • Installed sliding doors in the double shower that open to the deck

Money Talk: The overall budget was roughly $80,000, including $25,000 for contracting, $15,000 for the window and multislide door, $11,000 for plumbing fixtures, $8,000 each for the tub and tiles (including installation), $4,200 for millwork, $3,300 for the counter, $2,800 for the concrete sink, $1,200 for the glass shower panel and $525 for lighting

Designer Advice: Optimize space by placing the tub in the shower or “wet zone” area • Use the same flooring throughout for consistency • Install wall-mounted faucets for a clean look while freeing up counter space • Create more storage with ledges in the shower and tub areas

Meggie Ross and Andrew Hamilton wanted a fresh look for the bathroom in their new lakeside home in Summerland, B.C. “The contemporary design reflects their adventurous spirits and brings in their travel experiences,” says designer Maria Nordlund. This bathroom is like a mini trip around the world. To emphasize the patterned accent wall above the tub, Maria chose a plain white zellige tile for the other walls. A custom white oak vanity is paired with a rough-sawn cedar ceiling.