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Center of the new primary bathroom with a lake view.

Featured Article

Wow Factor Refresh

Singing in the Shower: A Mercer Island Remodel

Perched on the western slope of Mercer Island’s First Hill, a handsome white house recently got a new primary bath, closet, laundry room, and updated landscape.  The First Hill couple came to NW Lifestyle Homes with one request – remodel the spaces and create a bathroom with a “wow factor.” 

The primary bathroom already started with a sweeping view of the lake and the Olympics, but it needed a thoughtful new layout. The NWLH design studio redesigned the whole composition for a fresh but classic look, starting with the bathroom’s anteroom.

A small anteroom between the primary bedroom and the primary bathroom was previously an unused hallway, this area now provides excellent storage. NWLH lined the anteroom with antique mirror-inset painted cabinets.  

Inside the primary bathroom, a brass and alabaster chandelier draws the eye to the soaring center vault, and two brass art lights illuminate paintings from local artist, Julie Sanchez. Rift-cut white oak vanities have lighted mirrors trimmed with oak and a custom recessed light detail.  The countertop is quartzite, and the lavatory cross handles are polished nickel and wall-mounted.  

The sculptural, asymmetrical free-standing tub is angled into the room which creates drama and complements the adjacent marble shower.  The horizontal inlaid shower niche is also custom-lit. 

The new closet is equal parts impressive and functional.  This relatively small footprint with a sloped ceiling was re-floor planned to maximize the lighted display area and storage.  It shows off the homeowner’s shoes and clothes with style and provides substantial hang space, angled shelves, and drawer space.

The laundry room gave NWLH another opportunity to make some fun changes.  The new cabinets, fixtures, and black sink punch up the space, but the bold main character is the chevron floor.  Natural morning light floods this cheery room for a sunny, bright area to wash and fold.  

In the landscape, NWLH’s design team brought the couple’s property to the next level, as well. A stately custom mailbox and entry columns at the street establish the home’s sense of place.  Cladding all existing retaining walls with custom fabricated metal and new concrete caps, NWLH repeated the fresh but classic aesthetic.  A new white-painted arbor with black horizontal screening creates privacy and is a perfect foil for the existing trained camellia trees.  By adding a water feature, hydrangeas, boxwood, black mondo grass, and landscape lighting wherever possible, the front and back courtyards announce the seasons with new growth and interest.  

The homeowners are so pleased with their newly remodeled spaces that they are singing in the shower.  

  • Separate vanity and asymmetric tub.
  • Center of the new primary bathroom with a lake view.
  • Lighted niche shower wall.
  • Gracious laundry room with chevron tile floor.
  • Anteroom with antique mirror inlaid cabinets

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