When Carolyn and Ric Davies moved into their home in 1988, they knew the dated master bedroom was channeling the 1970s: Blue shag carpet crept around a raised tub, fluorescent lighting streamed from plastic fixtures, and a center island featuring his-and-her vanities dominated the space.
The Edina couple decided to live with the trademark ’70s style for some time, until Carolyn ultimately convinced her husband a serious update was in order. “There was DNA from I don’t know how many people in that carpet,” she laughs. “I’m getting old. It had to be done!”
Along with designer Jen Seeger of Casa Verde Design in Minneapolis, the couple envisioned a beautiful, sophisticated space enhanced by subtle nature themes. The open design now centers on a spacious tub, while the Davies swapped the dated island for 36-inch vanities with quartzite countertops.
The addition of a window allows natural light to dance off shimmering tiles, while black light fixtures from Urban Electric add notes of elegance. Nonslip porcelain plank flooring warmed by radiant heating replaces the infamous shag.
Yet beyond updates and lovely finishes, the bathroom renovation gives the Davies a space they can enjoy for years to come.
“We don’t want to move until we’re forced to, so we talked about being able to get around when we can’t walk very easily,” Carolyn explains. “That mattered to us.”
Seeger worked with their vision of aging in place. The zero-clearance shower features a bench, grab bars, and a handheld shower head, while seating and grab bars around the tub allow easy access. The customizable Toto washlet comes equipped with a night light, temperature control, and bidet functionality, and the sizable bathroom is wheelchair-friendly.
“We had to prove that, by doing these universal design elements that make it very functional for years to come, it could still be beautiful,” Seeger says. “It isn’t one or the other.”
The end result: a sophisticated and sustainable space that will age alongside the homeowners.
“It’s a plan that’s modern, but not excessively modern,” Carolyn says. “Ten years from now, it’s not going to be dated. It will age well.”
Interior Designer: Casa Verde Design
Builder: Quality Home Transformations
