Bathrooms
August 6, 2024
Inside A Breezy Bathroom With Calm, Coastal Style By AKB Design
This formerly navy blue bathroom was part of a renovation to a contemporary house in Sainte-Julie, a Montreal suburb. Designers Audrée Kemp Bélanger and Jessica Lévesque’s clients still loved blue but, this time, they wanted a calm, coastal look. The design plan involved refreshing the color palette with a pale blue on the vanity and cabinet, and adding glam, old world touches throughout. The result? A breezy bathroom made for pampering à deux. Scroll down for a look inside this calm, coastal bathroom!
The glass-enclosed shower has two rain showerheads and twin niches.
Casual painted shiplap juxtaposes refined Carrara marble counters.
Designers Audrée Kemp Bélanger and Jessica Lévesque created visual impact on the tub wall with wall-mounted fixtures and a slim shelf for art and blooms.
The Designer:
Audrée Kemp Bélanger, AKB Design
How long did the renovation take:
2 years, as part of a larger renovation to the house
Size:
128 sq.ft.
Custom Elements:
- Counter
- Shelf behind the tub
- Shower niches and base
- Cabinets
Biggest Challenge:
Incorporating blue in a modern and fresh way
What They Did:
- Designed a marble vanity counter with a double nosing detail
- Painted the millwork in a pale grey-blue
- Added texture with shiplap and tile
- Selected luxe finishes including marble and brass lighting
- Created a tub zone with a ledge for art and accents
- Designed a his-and-hers shower with a brass-trimmed door, dual showerheads and two product niches
- Installed shutters and airy linen drapes
Designer Advice:
- Don’t be afraid to go bold and mix textures and finishes
- Add richness with considered details such as nosing on a counter and picket floor tile
- If possible, conceal the toilet; don’t make it the first thing you see
- Weave in antique or vintage pieces with new custom cabinets for charm
- For visual interest and practicality, vary lighting sources — think sconces, pendants, and art lights
Money Talk*:
This renovation cost approximately $78,000. Some key costs include:
- $26,000 for the contractor
- $21,880 for custom cabinets and marble (counter, cladding in shower niches, finishing trim and shower base)
- $12,400 for the plumbing and faucets
- $6,500 for tile
- $3,601 for the lighting fixtures
- $2,800 for the designer fee
- $1,935 for the medicine cabinet
- $1,267 for the cabinet hardware
- $675 for the window treatments
- $500 for the towels and bath mat
*Approximate costs are from 2021–2022 and do not include tax
Audrée Kemp Bélanger
House & Home
AKB Design