Photos by Spacecrafting
Bland is one way to describe the primary bath in dire need of a makeover in an Eden Prairie home. Dated is how Bhavana Bhimavarapu, senior interior designer with Martha O’Hara Interiors, refers to the project. Moreover, “storage was lacking, the linen closet was a joke, the shower was like walking into a cave, [and] the tub was built-in,” she adds. “The client wanted to keep the bath remodel classic to fit with the style of the home—nothing too trendy, but super functional.”
In collaboration with the remodeling company, Rascher & Co., the team largely kept the bathroom layout, but updated the vanity in warm rifted-and-quartered oak and freed up the tub area with a more luxurious and modern freestanding option. The shower, Bhimavarapu explains, “was at an angle with shower heads at an awkward angle and a teeny bench. We fixed all of that, added glass panels, put in a large-scale marble shower wall, and installed a decent size bench.”
“Marble, because it’s classic,” she adds, was also used in a hexagon pattern for the floor and non-slip classic penny rounds for the shower floor. The team got rid of “a very awkward linen cabinet where the vanity ended,” she continues, “and extended the vanity and put a linen tower in the middle of the vanity instead.” An existing window stayed but now is next to the freestanding tub, “which really opens up of the space.” The remodel was finished off with polished nickel finishes and plumbing, a towel warmer, and in-floor heat.
“I worked previously with the client on a kitchen remodel; they’re amazing to work with,” says Bhimavarapu. “So, we used the same stain on the vanity as we used in the kitchen for consistency.” With the new subtle paint selections, “the bath is brighter and serene.” She adds, “It’s a peaceful spot to escape to.”
