Inside The Project
A Look Inside the Bowden House Luxe Ensuite Renovation
Creating Vibrant, Livable Family Spaces
All of our projects are near and dear to us, but this ensuite is especially so because it’s my own home! Before we dive into the reveal I wanted to give a little history, my house was built in 1874 when it was one of the few properties on the street. It was a modest farm house and we still have some of the original photos and floor plans. We love that those memories have been passed down with the house throughout the years.
The Bowden House History
The house has had a few interior renovations over the past century, including 2 additions prior to us purchasing the house in 2011. Still, it’s maintained its original character and that’s really important for us to continue as we make this home more suitable to our lifestyle.
One of the spaces that a previous owner added in the early 2000s was the primary bedroom and bathroom. When they did the addition they obviously spent a large portion of their budget on the structure and some of the finishes were builder grade, not to mention 20 years old, so it was time for an upgrade.
Depending on your project scope, you can obtain plans in a few different ways. If you are renovating a small bathroom or kitchen, your builder may have a local kitchen and bath showroom that has designers you can work with. If you are renovating a larger space or adding an addition, you can hire an architect and/or an interior designer. Many people do not realize that interior designers have the capability to create construction plans with on-staff experts or the support of third-party architects or structural engineers.
The Renovation Plan
Updating the layout and functionality of our ensuite was a big part of the goal, but of course, I wanted the space to be a timeless sanctuary we could retreat to. The plan for this project started with the primary bathroom design and renovation. Changing the layout to use so much wasted space was imperative. In order to get all the features and amenities like a soaking tub we decided to move the window a few weeks before construction. You can learn more about that here.
While working on the ensuite we also upgraded our laundry room and my husband’s closet. We could reclaim some dead space from the eaves and make the laundry room and his closet bigger, which was a big win for us. To make the area really feel complete we also got some new bedroom furniture, bedding, and custom window treatments because furnishings and accessories really make the space.
The Design Features
Our bathroom is not a big space, but we added some luxury features to make it special.
A European wet room design was used to save space. The shower has a regular shower head, a handheld shower head, and 2 body jets, these are controlled with a 6-way diverter so you can use any 2 features at once or each separately. There is also a soaking tub with a wall mounted faucet for ultimate relaxation.
The custom-built walnut vanity has double faucets with a single capsule sink (another space-saving design element) that gives the functionality of double sinks but allows for more counter space on each side. It also has small drawers on each side for my husband and I as well as large center drawers for extra storage.
The separate potty nook was a necessary change versus the previous layout, providing much-needed privacy. Heated tile floors are a must for me and I think they complete that luxurious feel.
The Design Vision
I love the color green and we really embraced that in the selections. The vanity wall that flows into the shower has a 2×2 herringbone in a beautiful eucalyptus color tile. We used a bright white tile in the rest of the shower to keep it bright and open. Pairing the tile with Fantasy Brown Quartzite added an organic element to the space that we absolutely love.
The fixtures are a mix of polished nickel and brushed modern brass. The rich charcoal floor tiles add a modern touch that grounds the space. The custom vanity is made from Walnut which adds warmth and texture.
The Reveal
I love the final outcome of this project, it’s beautiful, functional, and has amazing features! Check out the full reveal video below.
The Video Reveal
This video is a revealing showcase of the stunning luxury home renovation of Bowden House’s primary ensuite & laundry room.
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PHOTOGRAPHY CREDIT: Brandon Dupont
VIDEO CREDIT: Told by Fire
Shop this Bathroom:
Vanity is custom but you can shop a similar vanity in Walnut.
Backsplash – Wellfleet Tile by Best Tile in Eucalyptus
Sconce – Ridged Austin Bath Sconce
Vanity Sink
Single-Handle Wall-Mount Lavatory Faucet
Bathtub – Acrylic Double Ended Freestanding Tub
Shower head Thermostatic Shower & Wall Mount Handshower
Shower Floor Tile is Palazzo 2×2 Tile
