The third (and final) bathroom renovation in the Spanish Sanctuary is underway! Let’s jump right in to it.
Before
Just your average Florida builder grade special. Nothing interesting to see here.
The one highlight is that the ceilings are just over 9′. However, it’s lacking in elbow room at just 6′ x 7’8″ of space in the main area beyond the door. The original vanity was 30″ and there’s not an inch more to spare with the toilet and tub spacing.
We tried to figure out how to remove the linen closet to free up space, but a door to a bedroom is behind it and there was no way to reconfigure. So, we’re working with what we’ve got.
Inspiration
You’ve seen the Traditional Spanish and Old World Luxury bathrooms upstairs, and as always, I wanted this one to have its own personality.
Lately, I’ve been obsessed with these moody clay pink walls and aged brass finishes. The whole room feels like a hidden little jewel box.
The terracotta tones and layered details draw from Spanish, Moorish, and Moroccan influences, but with that softer, more understated European restraint.
These are all styles I’ve incorporated into my designs over the years, but I’m excited to go a bit bolder with this one.
The Design Plan
Here’s my budget-friendly DIY plan to bring this jewel-box bathroom to life…
The starting point of this entire design was actually the floor tile. I fell in love with it last year and had been waiting for it to come back in stock to use in this bathroom. As soon as I got the restock email, I bought it so fast that I missed the fact that it’s technically rated for walls only.
I spoke with the manufacturer and they confirmed the tile hasn’t been tested on floors and to proceed with caution, and I guess love is blind but I think it’s worth the risk. It’s meant to look old and worn anyway, right? Will report back in a year 🤞🏼
We’re also at the stage of this renovation where we need to just need to get things finished quickly without overspending. As much as I’d love to use a beautiful zellige tile in the shower, it’s simply not in the budget for this project, so instead we’re putting the waterproof Concretta to the test.
Here’s a very rough rendering via ChatGPT + Photoshop edit… there are a lot of inaccuracies here so take it with a grain of salt:
I’ll admit, I said I’d never use a shower curtain in a rental again after our previous experiences. We looked into every glass door solution, but after taking into account the shower alcove design and tight spacing, our budget and timeline… a shower curtain felt like the best/only option.
I plan to use a standard (custom) curtain with a waterproof lining, and I actually prefer the softer and more open look of a curtain to a glass door in this space. I’m still waiting on swatches to choose the right fabric, but here are the two current top contenders. Do you have a favorite?
The wood vanity was another piece I had been eyeing for months. I grabbed it when it was on sale a couple months ago, and it looks much nicer in person than the product photos. Even at full price it feels like a steal for what you get. Here’s a photo from a customer review:
Here’s another find I’m very excited to see in person: a handmade brass and milk glass pendant light I sourced from Morocco through Etsy. It’s one of those unique and unexpected design elements that reinforces the style of the room.
Progress
First up: demo. We removed the side wall build-outs to expand the shower size, and framed an enclosure for the drop-in tub (modified for use as an undermount).
I sketched out my pointed arch design, and Lucas got to work framing it out. He’s getting pretty good at this!
Next up, cement board and waterproofing. Even unfinished, the arched alcove completely changes the presence of the room when you step inside.
I also plan on installing a deck on top of the tub similar to below—ideally a cost effective, lower maintenance marble-adjacent stone.
Every wall surface will be covered in Concretta microcement, and the ceilings will get our signature dark wood beam and plank treatment.
And, I think I found the perfect blush/terracotta/clay color for the walls. Samplize to the rescue, once again!
San Carlos Tan feels like the perfect match to the tile. Not too pink, not too beige or orange. We also expect the color appear more muted when it’s mixed with the Concretta, and exact results will vary depending on the colorant ratio we use.
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As I write this, the bathroom is getting the final coat of primer in preparation for the Concretta. I’ll share progress updates on my Instagram if you want to follow along!
Sources
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A big announcement is coming…
If you’ve ever wished you could ask me design questions, get help making decisions, or have more personalized guidance while creating your home, I think you’re going to love what I’ve been working on behind the scenes.
I’ll be sending an email this Sunday to invite a small group of readers to help me test it before the official launch. If you’d like early access, make sure you’re subscribed to my email list so you don’t miss it. I can’t wait to share more 👀
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