From Cramped Bath to Relaxing Retreat

Before

Old houses are notorious for their oddly arranged baths. When indoor plumbing was still a novelty, the floor plan was sometimes an afterthought. Patti McCall and Charlie Wilson’s 1910 Seattle home came with one of those quirky vintage baths: a long, narrow second-floor space wedged under such a steeply sloped ceiling that previous owners had installed a skylight in order to stand up in the tub without hitting their heads. The cast-iron soaker was situated in the middle of the room. No surprise, the cramped and dated space saw little use.

After

Enter JAS Design Build, whose solution was to add a shed dormer to raise the ceiling slope, and bump out the exterior wall a few feet to create a more workable, nearly square footprint. The bright and airy bath now has a storage-packed vanity, a recessed medicine cabinet, and ample lighting. A kilim rug complements the pale-blue walls.

Light: Rejuvenation

Photo by Alex Hayden

The cast-iron tub was repurposed in a custom surround with a marble deck and tucked under the new dormer windows. The tub sits under the new windows, flanked by built-ins that create a natural alcove and added needed storage. The custom millwork and the tub wall are painted the same warm white for a cohesive look. Stained-wood windows harmonize with the floor.

Paint: Fine Paints of Europe's Afterglow (wall and built-ins); Farrow & Ball's James White No. 2010 (ceiling)

Photo by Alex Hayden

A separate shower took up residence next to the tub. Three of the beadboard walls are painted a watery pale blue; a decorative heat register adds period detail.

Paint: Fine Paints of Europe's Blue Essence