A Bathroom Dream Makeover!!!
Sunday, July 29, 2012 at 8:25PM Some of my favorite projects are when we get to revisit a house we did years before - it's just so fun to work on the same house for two different owners! I think it's fascinating to see how an identical space can transform with so many beautiful - and wholly different - outcomes!!
This home was a new construction that I completed about 6 years ago. The beautiful marble, crystal chandelier and balloon shade drapes really created a room full of glamour! Wallpaper was added by these first owners later as shown in a few pics down.
The glazed cabinets, mirrors hung over mirrors, and gold sconces added to the traditional, regal allure.
We had hand-painted the ceiling dome in a pretty, open, scroll pattern to bring in the gold tones from the fabric and highlight the curves of the chandelier.
The new homeowners moved in about 3 years later. A bit more casual in their style, they wanted this spacious bathroom to remain elegant while toning down the formality of the room. They hired Kara Childress, who is just as beautiful and gracious as the amazing rooms she designs, to help them with the entire house. If you have the book, you can check out the rest of the home on page 52. She did just minor changes to give the room a homey feel untill they did a more major renovation later. By bringing in a rug and tufted ottoman to the center of the master bath, Kara created warmth. Notice the mirrors from Joyce Horn Antiques and sconces from BROWN were swapped from their more formal predecessors. The hand-painted ceiling design was left untouched for now.
Three years later, the homeowners were ready for a change wanting a less busy look, and the hand-painted ceiling had to go. Kara was so cute when we met at the house to discuss the finishes - she didn't want to tell me! But I was completely on board. My boy Frank seems to be fine with the change too, taping the area to prep for the most beautiful shade of French blue-gray-green plaster that will encompass all the walls and ceilings.
There is Jerry, mixing the paints to put a sample up. In the main part of the bath, Kara chose a textured, furniture finish treatment, but in the coffee bar area, we did a glazing technique so that the cabinets would have definition, without being the focus of the space.
You can see the before and afters! The new finish in the same tone as the plaster just gives the cabinets so much character.
In the main bathroom area, however, we went all out taking our inspiration from an antique mirror that Kara had shown us! We got the A-ok to go ahead!!
This is definitely a wow room, a big difference!! Kara's classic European flair places this master bath into one of my all time favorites! Go back up a few pictures and look at the tub. Goodchild Builders made a few changes that really update it - removing the columns around the tub and creating a soft arch above. Combined with the new lantern fixture and the drapes that replaced the shutters, this tub would make for a dreamy bubble bath! Notice too that all the hardware and faucet fixtures were also changed.
I simply adore the mohair ottoman which served as the basis for the plaster color. And the nail-head design Kara did on the top and bottom - just brilliant!! I love that you can't see the break between the paper and the ceiling. I am a firm believer that if you have a shaped ceiling, it's best to carry the finish all the way up so that the shape of the ceiling really shines, rather than the breaks of the room.
This master bath couldn't be prettier!! The soft colors and the interesting textures marry to form a truly enchanting retreat. We also changed the trim from white to the soft colors of the plaster. Kara and team, you truly did an amazing job!
Kara had papered the front powder in a wonderful Ralph Lauren corked paper with a beautiful, dramatic damask. Unable to get enough paper in the color way they wanted, they decided to just buy the cork background paper and have us match the one wall. Without seeing the paper first, I told Kara, "Of course we can do that!" When I saw the intricacy of the pattern, though, I kinda thought to myself, yikes!!!
Well, how did we do? Here is a corner with one wall that was the hand-painted design over plain cork and the other one from the Ralph Lauren. Can you tell which one is which?
Thank you to the wonderful homeowners and the incredibly talented Kara Childress. I am always amazed and taken aback by her beautiful work. Kara never fails to achieve that timeless European look, while also incorporating comfort, color, and originality!! I have been so fortunate all these years to follow behind her, creating beautiful backdrops for her gorgeous interiors!!
Congradulations to Ginny Ford from LA for being the book give-a-way winner! It was so fun to read everyones comments! We will have another one. Have a wonderful week everyone!! Till next Monday's post. xo Leslie
To purchase “Segreto: Secrets to Finishing Beautiful Interiors” on our website, click here or to purchase through Amazon, click here.
To Subscribe to Segreto Blog, click here.To follow Segreto Finishes on Facebook, click here.To follow Segreto Finishes on Twitter, click here.
Reader Comments (14)
Hi, Leslie -
Thanks for sharing this AMAZING bathroom!! How wonderful to return to a previous job and update for new owners! While both versions are beautiful, I love the updated look. The finish on the cabinetry is really fabulous.
Cheers,
Loi
Dear Leslie,
What a wonderful redo of this bathroom! I love the new finish of the cabinet doors and that ottoman is so beautiful!
Great job! Congratulations!
xx
Greet
The changes in the master bath are lovely, but that guest bath wall treatment is astounding. No, I cannot tell the difference between the paint treatment and the RL wallpaper. Brilliant.
Best...Victoria
HI Leslie, I love the chnage in the master bath - the grey is beautiful. And the work in the powder room is fantastic. Well done.
Have a great week,
Phyllis
Are you serious? You did an amazing job on that RL wallpaper match!!! OMG I cannot believe how talented you are! The master bath makeover is stunning, and it is fun to see the same room have two different looks. I love the second look~I was looking at the photos first and noticed the columns were removed...things lke that I never would have thought to do...details details...I adored the cabinet finish!!
OH wow this bathroom is a dream and the update is amazing!
xo
Sharon
Both versions of the room are great. My personal taste makes me lean towards the original design. The later doesnt have the warmth of the first.
Dear Leslie, how gorgeous. You and your team are amazing beyond belief! I also always love to see the before and after shots!
The hand-painting to match the RL paper ..OMG I hope you bid high enough, Ha!
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
Leslie,
This is gorgeous. I love the mohair ottoman and that sink in the bathroom is stunning. The grey is so regal - amazing!
leslie
stunning work, leslie! the ceiling! so breathtaking.
smiles and happy new week to you, lovely.
michele
How fun to get to go to a house you've done previously - love the gray and the powder room is wonderful!
Absolutely gorgeous! Probably the prettiest bathroom I've ever seen!
Stacy
Leslie, it looks amazing. What a beautiful bathroom.
Such a very elegant and exquisite room. I'm really amazed with the interior as well as the decorations.