Before and After: This New Bathroom Is Straight Out of a Fancy Hotel

A crisp white color scheme can help rooms feel bigger and brighter—but in some spaces, that’s just not enough. The only upstairs bathroom in Alli Devlin’s home suffered from an always-cramped feeling, thanks to the tiny windows and poor layout. Another drag: The 1978 home had seen few updates over the years, and the bathroom was no exception. “The few bathroom accessories added over the years—towel rings, over toilet storage—were uncoordinated and poorly placed in the space,” says Alli. Thankfully, she was up to the challenge of renovating.

She quickly enlisted the architectural services of her cousin, Sarah Merrimen, and set to work gathering inspiration. She particularly loved a bathroom designed by Sarah Robertson of Studio Dearborn that featured a black tile wall and wood-toned vanity.

With the help of local contractors, Alli expanded the bathroom’s footprint by incorporating two neighboring closets in the master bedroom. The layout of the bathroom was changed, moving the shower across from a new vanity setup to make room for a floor-to-ceiling window.

The vanity, custom made by North Coast Modern, is extra long but features just one sink. “Give me extra counter space, please!” says Alli, who knew the old vanity didn’t have enough for two people to share. Floor-to-ceiling subway tile from Fireclay Tile is a dramatic backdrop for two new vanity mirrors from Rejuvenation and unique bowl-shaped sconces from Nino Shea.

The non-tiled walls got a little something, too, with an old-world cement plaster finish. That golden tone complements the hex tile floors, which are golden Calacatta marble.

Alli calls the new space “the best room in the home.”

“The full wall adds drama and the walnut vanity plus the brass fixtures and soft gray cement finish wall adds warmth,” Alli says. “This is my heart’s color palette, so I am happy every day starting my day here. No regrets on knocking out the master bedroom closets—the extra bathroom space is worth it!”

As for advice, Alli has some wise words: “Find your anchor inspiration and hold it tight. There are many small and large decisions to make a long the way—keeping your north star close in mind will guide you through the tricky decisions about material choices, where to cut budget, and where to pay for the exact material you desire.”

Inspired? Submit your own project here.