When life gives you leaky pipes, why not transform a disaster into an opportunity for an upgrade?
That's exactly what we did for our clients who faced an unexpected renovation due to a plumbing leak. While nobody enjoys an unexpected plumbing disaster, at least we can make the best of it!
THE STORY
Built in 2012, the master bath was put together with a huge garden tub right smack in the middle of the room, a tight and oddly shaped shower that felt more like a car wash (it even has a viewing window!), and some dark wood vanities. Basically, everything was tan and brown, which just so happened to be our clients' least favorite color.
But then - DUN DUN DUNNNNNN - a toilet overflow caused all of the flooring, the base cabinets, plus walls AND downstairs floors and ceilings to be replaced.
Since it was all going to have to be torn out, our clients thought, why not go all out and make it what we want?
They jumped at the chance to ditch the just-okay setup and turn their bathroom into the kind of space they’d always wanted—luxurious, beautiful, and a total joy to use.
THE BEFORE
The original layout had a large garden tub plopped right smack in the middle of the room, making everything feel squished and, well, just sort of off.
Right behind the tub, the shower featured an odd window looking back out into the bathroom—definitely a bit too "open concept" for comfort. 😅 Somehow this feels more like you're on display than a full glass shower? I can't explain why, but it's true.
The whole space was functional (save for the whole water leak situation), but it was far from what you’d call inspiring or a luxurious retreat.
THE RENOVATION PLAN
Our goal was to streamline the layout and elevate the room’s aesthetics to match our clients' more contemporary, minimalist, luxurious style.
We started by relocating the tub to a more sensible spot beneath the bathroom window, replacing it with a sleek, freestanding model that immediately became the focal point.
The old shower was completely reconfigured into a rectangle (how novel!) to offer a spacious, more functional experience, featuring double shower heads, a built-in bench for ultimate comfort, and clean frameless glass. And zero odd viewing windows.
The vanity layout stayed largely the same, but we removed the corner shared storage towers and opted for two towers at each end for more personal storage.
The only real challenge was navigating the insurance process. It took months and months (AND MONTHS) plus the involvement of an independent insurance adjuster to get things finally rolling. But then once they did...
THE AFTER
The centerpiece of this renovation is undoubtedly the freestanding sculptural tub under the window, now basking in natural light and offering a serene spot to unwind.
Finding the perfect new spot for the tub involved several layout considerations to maintain the bathroom’s spacious feel while optimizing the view and lighting.
The herringbone marble floor is our best supporting actor. A classic choice that provide a touch of sophistication and timeless appeal, pulling in our client's favorite color - gray.
Gone is the awkward windowed shower, replaced by a spacious new setup that's is more modern and makes the room feel so much more spacious.
We've installed double shower heads along with a hand shower at the bench for a luxurious shower experience. The walls and shower floor are decked out in elegant marble.
The clerestory window with matching sized shampoo niche below is a favorite detail. TLD isn't TLD without an amazing shower niche situation.
The vanities are now sporting slab-front drawers and minimalist hardware for a sleek, more European hotel vibe.
We repeated marble on the countertops to keep things cohesive and elegant.
We swapped the old cabinets for sleek drawers, which are not only more stylish but also more practical for storage of bathroom products.
Rather than going the more traditional route with sconces above or beside the mirrors, our clients wanted to keep things sleek and simple. These mirrors have a secret - they are backlit with LED lighting.
And there you have it—the total transformation of a master bath that went from cramped and quirky to spacious and stylish. I'd say we definitely found the silver lining in the leak situation.
Thanks to our friends at Silverstar General Contractors for bringing this together!
