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Remember this little sneak peek of a post we did a while back on a barrier free bath?
The photos don’t truly do her finished bathroom justice, but we were ecstatic to put this barrier free bath together! We also weren’t supposed to show this reveal for a few more weeks, but we were so excited… here we are!
Suzanne and Carol, a mother daughter duo, were ready to prepare Suzanne’s {and husband’s} home for her mom to move in and stay. Carol uses a wheelchair, so it was important to design a space with barrier free specifications. Because a few people have asked, by barrier free, we mean something that is appropriate for all her needs. Obviously, we all wanted her to feel like the space was special and just for her.
So we were thrilled to put our heads together with mom and daughter and the entire family, to come up with some sweet solutions.
The space before held a guest room with a nice bath and closet.
But Carol needed a more practical, safe space for her needs. This is what we came up with:
Who says you can’t have lots of beauty and style in a barrier free bath?
We think that a lot of times, these get a bad wrap when it comes to form vs. function, and Carol and Suzanne definitely wanted something more in terms of style.
Our favorite projects are the ones that have a lot of meaning, and sweet value because of that meaning behind them.
The custom vanity gives her plenty of space without sharp edges for her chair, and her sink is at just the right height for her needs.
We also chose a pivoting mirror so that she could easily angle it, depending on the height of her chair which is {awesomely} adjustable.
These gorgeous pendant lights are from Kichler.
We loved bringing in hanging pendant lights, along with oil rubbed bronze fixtures for a warmer feel, which was one of Carol’s requests. They have an understated simplicity which goes so well with the vibes in the space.
The gray vanity contrasted beautifully with the tile, and warm walnut butcher block countertop.
The shower gives her plenty of space for her chair, along with grab bars and hooks to Carol’s specifications and needs.
And we loved bringing in gorgeous details with a border on the floor in penny tile. This was reflected on the wall with subway and arabesque for a classic, timeless feel.
The floor offers extra needed grip in between the penny tile with ample grout, and helps bring in a little personality without feeling so institutional. This is something their entire family, understandably, wanted to stay away from.
We want Carol to feel like she’s in a spa when she enters the bathroom.
We hope that it always feels like that to her, and that the colors, feel and attention to detail, convey just that.
Obviously, we took down a wall and combined both a bath and former closet. But it’s amazing how much larger the space feels with simple changes.
We can honestly say these are some of the sweetest clients… I think we were a little bittersweet when the project was over.
They’re the kind of sweet family who remind us why we do what we do, and it was a true honor to work with them.
We just love how everything turned out with so much personality and love behind it.
When you step into this bath, it feels like you’re somewhere else!
The drawers offered plenty of space for things accessible at her fingertips, while the vanity was a great width that stayed useable for her chair.
The countertop area offered plenty in style and space for any extras, too.
Because Carol needed an ample turn radius in the space for her chair, but also easily accessible storage, we decided to opt for simple shelves on the wall. This way she can store and access anything she may need. The more seldom used items will go on the top so that her family can assist her, but her everyday items will be just within reach, at the bottom.
We were also glad to offer extra storage over the countertop for all her essentials.
We just adore the way everything turned out, along with all the sweet details in this space. It was a close collaboration with specific needs and requests, where form met function amazingly well if we do say so ourselves. ;}
Thank you so much for dropping by today.
We’re more than thrilled to share one of our favorite projects.
So we’d love to hear from you- what’s your favorite part?
Have an inspired day!
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And just in case you’re curious…
We don’t believe in the dream home, we believe in your home. And we can’t wait to help you discover it all over again.
The Handmade Home : Love Where You Dwell.
The Handmade Home is thrilled to bring both full on rehab and design services to our clients.
We offer in-person, full service design options, from a complete kitchen overhaul to a simple consult in your home on how to spruce it all up. Both nationally and locally in the Nashville area, we even offer a wealth of resources for our clients, right at their fingertips.
If you’d like to hear more about what we have to offer for you {because the possibilities really are endless} please be sure to check out our design services page, here! While you’re at it, be sure to check out our completed projects here. We look forward to hearing from you, and we welcome the opportunity to work with you!
To read more about us, be sure to check out this page here, as well.
Beverly Bielewicz says
THis design is all heart ❤️ and absolutely beautiful!
Nicky Johnson says
I adore these tips for sprucing up a washroom. The majority of the pictures are rousing. I need to add a Moroccan styled carpet to our washroom and new handles. I realize these will thoroughly refresh the vibe of the room!
Elizabeth says
I love the tile border. Was it one piece or something that has to be cut? Is it the same tile as your kitchen?
Thanks, Elizabeth
ashley @ the handmade home says
Hi Elizabeth! It’s a combination of cut tile arranged into a pattern for her bathroom walls. I hope that helps! ;}
Ellen says
So wonderful for all. You guys really thought out of the box. Anyone would love this bath and your choices are beautiful.
Bonnie says
I love the white subway tile and grout that you chose! I’m sure this bathroom is a joy for Carol whenever she uses it.
maureen hughes says
Ashley, This is a beautiful bathroom and doesn’t have that institutional look. Well done! Could you please tell us the dimensions of the room? My Mom and Dad are having to do the same thing for my Dad to be able to maneuver a wheelchair. Thanks for this post. It is so helpful.
ashley @ the handmade home says
Absolutely! Once we took down the wall, the space is 8 x 10. It provides plenty of turn radius for the chair, and ample space beside her toilet area as well. I hope this helps and that they are able to use their space for him in a way that makes them happy. ;}
Erin says
Hi Ashley – beautiful! I came across your photo on Instagram just as I’m helping my parents renovate their bathroom for my Dad, who is newly wheelchair bound. I love how this looks like anyone’s dream ensuite and not like it was designed for a wheelchair which is what I hope I can help my parents do! My favourite detail is the penny tile border – I might have to steal that one! I have a question about the shower dimensions – can you tell me how wide it is and how long that partition wall is on the left side (when looking at the showerhead?) I’m trying to figure out how deep we will need to make our shower so water is contained. Also, did you use a preformed base and a ramp for the shower slope, or how did you do the sloping shower floor?
Jamin Mills says
Hey, Erin. Thank you for the sweet comments. This shower was 3 feet out from the shower head wall, clearly anytime there is an open shower there will be water that finds it’s way out. The width was also about 36 inches wide. We did not use anything pre-formed but built the shower base from scratch. I hope that helps!
Mary says
Wow, looks great. Love all the light and white! Good job on the photography, love the detailed shots
carlene davis says
Beautiful just beautiful I wish i had the shower going to have knee replacement it will be hard to get in tub
Bryanna Denis says
I absolutely love that subway tile. Can you provide a source list for the tile?
Lisa Ronan says
This is without a doubt the most beautiful bathroom I have ever seen! We’ve been researching the exact same thing because my parents moved in with us this past August and we desperately need to add another first floor bathroom. Where can I find a list of all the materials you used?
Reba says
Did you build the vanity from scratch? I know this post has been up for awhile, but I just found it and love all your details. The counter space PLUS drawers must be so handy!
Robert Crossan says
It is pretty amazing that most of your favorite projects are the ones that have a lot of meaning, and sweet value because of that meaning behind them. I find it very inspiring to read this kind of post about choosing the materials in your home. It gives a lot of new ideas in my mind to do it in our home. Thank you so much and continue sharing your ideas with us, it really helps a lot.