How do you design a children’s bathroom that will be able to grow with them? Just ask designer Jacklyn Faust Maietta, who completed a bold and bright bathroom in upstate New York for Semihandmade’s Director of Brand Marketing Samantha Cuello.
The home, which was built in the 2000s, included a narrow builder-grade bathroom, plus an odd layout that made it barely functional at best, an angled wall that took up much-needed square footage. “Angled walls in random places was the trend at the time, and I’m unsure why,” Maietta remarks. “You couldn’t get into the closet in the bathroom because the doors would hit each other,” she adds.
It’s safe to say the room was in desperate need of gut renovation focused on both functionality and aesthetics, one which Cuello’s two children, Ava, 4, and Jordan, 1, would love for years to come.
A Clever Renovation
The angled wall was the first to go, and the bathroom was bumped nearly three feet back, instantly infusing breathing room and a spot for a washer and dryer. The need for laundry upstairs was “what got this whole thing rolling,” says the designer. “Samantha had been going up and down two flights of stairs to the basement to do laundry.”
The new laundry area, which stays remarkably organized, is separated from the bathroom by a wall painted in Clare’s Meet Cute, a sweet pink hue which shows up throughout the entire design.
Peel-and-Stick For the Win
Design by Jacklyn Faust Interiors; Photography by Rikki Snyder
It’s hard not to love a good peel-and-stick wallpaper. Cuello’s pick, , was a no-brainer. “The wallpaper is what I chose first. I absolutely loved the pattern and thought it was so fun for the kid’s space,” Cuello says. Since I have a boy and a girl, I wanted it to be gender-neutral, but also fun and playful. We designed the whole bathroom around that wallpaper.”
“She had a clear vision from the start,” says the designer. With so much color, the pair also considered longevity, and a peel-and-stick paper will be easy to change as Ava and Jordan get older.
A Sink for Him and Her
Design by
As anyone with multiple children knows, the best way to avoid fighting is to give each kid their own dedicated space, if possible. “We went with two single vanities, so there is no confusion over whose space is whose,” Cuello adds.
The single 24-inch wide IKEA Godmorgon vanities feature one of Semihandmade’s newest fronts, Stone in Quarterline, a sophisticated, timeless door with a color that’s a blend of grey and white.
Pick a Few Stand-Outs
While the flooring is simple, The Tile Shop’s Spring Time Off White Neutral Hexagon Porcleain tile, the main statement is the bathtub, which features The Tile Shop’s Track Stack Navy Blue porcelain tile. When it came to art, make a surprisng addition. “I’ve accumulated a large digital library of Etsy art,” Maietta says. “I love that you’re supporting an artist.”
The Great Debate
When it came to choosing hardware and fixtures, the question was to mix and match or to keep things simple? “She loved brass,” says the designer. “And, I love mixing finishes, but for this bathroom we kept it unison because there is so much color going on.”
Maietta chose all Rejuvenation aged brass elements from the mirrors to Rose City Single Scones, Larkin Finger Pulls, and Blair Bin Pulls.
Storage Appeal
While the wall near the bathtub is filled with prints, it also acts as easy storage for hanging towels, bathrobes, and more. “We wanted something fun, adorable, and functional so we put shelves and hooks (all from Shelfology), as well as some greenery to liven it up,” Maietta says. Accessories from Hawkins New York, as well as glass jars and cabinet organizers, add a finishing touch.
“Samantha is one of the most organized people I know,” adds the designer.
Be Patient With the Process
Renovations can be frustrating, and thats OK. “You have to be able to go with the flow and make adjustments to your vision and plan. Not everything is going to go perfectly, and you may have to make changes once the space is demoed,” Cuello says. Luckily, this project went quite smoothly, completed in just six months from conception to construction. One of Maietta’s best tips for renovators? Order all of your materials as quickly as possible to avoid delays.
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