A long-hidden leak forced this bathroom down to its bones before becoming a refreshing retreat.
All interiors in this story are original work by Founder, Rachel Anderson, photographed by Evernew.
FROM BEFORE TO AFTER
Under the Surface
For far too long, the original shower pan had been quietly leaking beneath the surface. By the time an ant infestation revealed what was happening, the damage was no longer something we could ignore. Much of the bathroom had to be demolished, turning what had once felt like a future project into an immediate necessity.
It was stressful, invasive, and an all too common way to start a renovation. But once the room had been opened up, I could finally imagine what it might become.
Here’s how we got from the before to the after.
FROM CHALLENGE TO OPPORTUNITY
Seeing the Potential
The original bathroom had generous proportions, abundant natural light, and a beautiful view into the surrounding trees. It held so much potential.
But every bit of original tile had been coated in a sea of white, grey, and black speckled paint and it was difficult to discern one surface from another. What’s worse, the oversized builder-grade mirror was doubling the effect. An open shower concept made for chilly winter mornings and the vast gray aura was unwelcoming.
The leak may have forced us to begin, but the demolition gave us an opportunity to reconsider the entire experience of the room—not only how it looked, but how it felt.
THE DESIGN PLAN
Inspired By the Feeling of Escape
The design for this space was inspired by the luxe, spa-like aesthetic of a modern, swanky hotel—offering respite and retreat in style.
Replacing the mold-filled jetted tub with a freestanding model with a softer, sculptural presence opened the space and balanced all of the angles. Marbled tiles and coordinating quartz countertops maintain a crisp, clean spa feel, while the warm, wood vanity, brass sconces, and fir-clad ceiling bring warmth.
Mixing metals across fixtures and finishes in a thoughtful way adds depth and interest to the otherwise neutral palette.
Together, the materials create the modern-luxe hotel feeling I was drawn to, but with enough warmth and texture to feel at home in the Pacific Northwest.
PATTERN UNDERFOOT
Blending Beauty and Function
One of my favorite details is the patterned floor. Its soft geometric design adds movement and personality without interrupting the room’s sense of calm, while adding a much-needed visual break in the expansive gray floor.
The tiled rug also has the added benefit of additional grout lines to reduce the floor’s slickness, proving that beauty and function can live in harmony.
ON THE OTHER SIDE
Something Beautiful After the Damage
What began in the worst of ways became a place of genuine restoration.
The finished bathroom feels open, warm, and peaceful. Morning light moves across the shiny surfaces, the freestanding tub sits beneath a window of evergreen, and the enclosed glass shower greets us with steamy warmth on crisp mornings.
The invasion of ants and mottled paint finish are now distant memories. This bathroom was born from damage but is no longer defined by it. What remains is a light-filled retreat: calm, functional, restorative, and more beautiful than the room that existed before.
This sense of transformation is something that keeps me coming back to interior design time and time again.
Design for Everyday
Some of the most meaningful changes happen in the rooms we use without thinking—the ones that quietly shape how our mornings begin and our evenings wind down.
If an everyday space in your home could feel better, function better or simply support you better, let’s rethink it together.