When we remodeled the kitchen, we knew we had to do the bathroom at the same time. It wasn’t just outdated—it was deeply uncomfortable and barely functional. And the layout? Wild.
It was a giant, oddly shaped jack-and-jill-style bathroom, shared between our master bedroom and the upstairs main living space. Yep, that meant every guest who came over used the same bathroom we did. Not a huge deal, but not ideal either. Especially when you consider that for how big the space was, my husband and I still couldn’t be in there at the same time without it feeling awkward and cramped.
And then there was the damage. The bathtub/shower leaked constantly. There was mold, warped flooring, and zero lighting—no, really, it was dark. It just didn’t function.
A Space That Made Me Cry
I’ll be honest: I cried in that bathroom. I had just brought home a new baby, was recovering, and trying to function in a bathroom that felt… almost scary. I know that’s a huge privilege to say. But I had come from a lovely, clean, functional master bath in our old home. And here I was—postpartum, overwhelmed, standing in moldy water that would not drain, with no light, wondering what happened.
It was hard. And I didn’t want to spend one more day feeling defeated by a space that was supposed to help me reset.
The Plan: One Big Problem, Two Beautiful Solutions
Luckily, my husband had a vision: turn the awkward footprint into two spaces. We didn’t expand the square footage—we just got creative.
- One half became a private master bathroom with a dream walk-in shower and double vanity.
- The other half became a beautiful half bath for guests.
It changed everything.
The Master Bathroom
What we kept: nothing.
What we gained: everything.
Walls
- Alabaster White on the rest—soft and clean
- I was going to do an accent wall and I still sort of wish I did but for now it is just simple
Floors
- Montauk Black Slate tile (same as in the kitchen)
- Natural, grounding, and beautiful
Shower
- Oversized walk-in
- Two rain shower heads
- Clean lines, no glass doors—just open and spa-like
- The most amazing fluted vertical tile and black pebble floor.
Vanity
- Custom-built with two sinks (YES!)
- Black accents and generous counter space
Lighting
- No more hiding! The new lighting is warm, layered, and actually exists
The Half Bath
This space is such a gem now. Guests use it, and I love it. It’s simple but so special.
Design Highlights
- Bold Iron Ore accent wall
- Handmade vanity with a vessel sink
- Thoughtful finishes that make it feel intentional, not leftover
Before: Big, Broken, and Dark
- No lighting
- Mold and water damage
- Layout that wasted space and caused stress
- Cramped and unusable for a family, let alone guests
After: Two Functional, Beautiful Spaces
Master Bath:
- Spa like shower
- Double sinks (!!)
- Clean, natural materials
- A retreat for two people who finally don’t have to take turns brushing their teeth
Half Bath:
- Private for guests
- Rich, dramatic tones
- Charming and functional
What I Love Most
- That we didn’t add square footage—just used what we had well
- The rain shower (truly life-changing)
- The way it feels calm and private, finally
- That I look forward to being in the bathroom—what a change
Up Next
Now that our main spaces are finished, I’m thinking of doing a post on lessons learned—budget surprises, design regrets (if any), and what I’d absolutely do again. If you’re thinking about remodeling and feeling overwhelmed, I’ll walk you through the real-life side of it all.
And of course, I’ll keep sharing glimpses of our everyday life as we settle into these spaces. Because at the end of the day, it’s not just about finishes and fixtures—it’s about how it feels to live here.
Run Teach Bike 