Bathrooms
Designer Shirley Meisels Turns A Former Bedroom Into A Spacious Ensuite
Updated on March 4, 2025
At first glance, it’s hard to imagine this space as anything but a bathroom, but before Shirley Meisels of MHouse got to work, it was the principal bedroom of an Edwardian house in downtown Toronto. Like many older homes, the original house lacked enough bathrooms, so when homeowners Andrew and Genevieve LeGresley reached out to Shirley for help, high on their list was a generous ensuite with a separate tub and shower. To achieve this, the couple added a two-storey addition to the back of the house, allowing for a luxurious new bedroom and large walk-in closet. With those needs taken care of, the former principal bedroom was transformed into an ample ensuite bathroom with a softer transitional style that complemented the era of the house.
Shirley started by placing the tub in front of the bay window and the shower vestibule in an opposite corner. Floor-to-ceiling cabinets provide plenty of room for bathroom necessities. “It’s so unusual to have this much storage for towels and products within the space itself, and this is so accessible,” says Shirley. The storage wall allowed her to design a more streamlined and airy vanity with an open base and fewer drawers.
Shirley knew that selecting the material for the floor would be a defining design moment due to the size of the space. She opted for a striking porcelain tile in a hex pattern. “The sheer scale of the pattern makes the tile feel special and adds to the feeling of space. It’s very impactful. More, in this case, is more!” says Shirley. To finish off the room, she added edgy black and white fashion photography, handsome black cabinet hardware and neat black trim on the shower vestibule.
Scroll down to see this transitional bathroom design — and get Shirley’s top design tips!
Opt For Drawers
For this light and airy space, Shirley wanted to keep the double vanity from feeling too heavy. She achieved this by utilizing drawers instead of cabinet doors and keeping the bottom tier open. “I always prefer a drawer on a vanity to a door,” says Shirley. “I love not having to bend down under a sink.” The thin rail detail on the cabinet drawers is reminiscent of traditional Shaker doors, commonly seen in this era of house, but with a modern edge.
Think Beyond The Trends
Shirley chose a simple palette of light wood, neutral tile and polished nickel to give the bathroom longevity. “Nobody has a crystal ball and every style has an expiration date,” says Shirley. ”Nothing in this bathroom is terribly trendy, but it still feels current.”
Add Art To A Bathroom
Graphic black and white photography is a signature Shirley Meisels move and plays off the patterned tile nicely. “It gives the room an unexpected modern edge,” says Shirley. “These final touches ground the room and pull the whole space together.”
Kim Jeffery
Kitchens + Baths
Shirley Meisels