Posts from the ‘Bathrooms’ Category

Mar 11

Client’s Eye View: 2 Baths with Room to Breathe

Designed by Anne De Wolf. Photo by Photo Art Portraits.

We recently completed a matching pair of upstairs bathroom renovations for a NW Portland client who needed a little elbow room in a fairly small footprint. Here’s her “client’s eye view” of how it all came out.

1. What were your goals with this bathroom renovation?

We needed to update both baths. The shower bath especially needed a larger showering area and both baths needed updated electrical and plumbing, not to mention a new look. We also had a large Turkish-style tile arrangement that we wanted to incorporate into a wall of the new shower.

(Here’s a look at the shower before the renovation. With a glass door that swung into the shower alcove you can see it was quite a tight fit!)

2. What were some of the challenges the project faced and how did you address them?

The biggest challenge was enlarging the shower area without knocking out all the nearby upstairs walls and re-doing the much of the upstairs. This was achieved by much careful measuring and communicating within the design and project implementation team. In addition to Anne, [Project Manager] Adam made sure the plumber, electrician and inspector made it work. Because of the tight space, lovely and suitable sinks and light fixtures were found. Also new cabinetry was specially designed to work effectively with existing built-ins.

Designed by Anne De Wolf. Photo by Photo Art Portraits.

Here’s a look at the fixtures in Bathroom #1.

Designed by Anne De Wolf. Photos by Photo Art Portraits.

And bathroom #2…

3. What is your favorite part of the completed bathrooms?

It’s a pleasure to get clean again in simple but elegant surroundings. Showering in the open and lighter shower area feels great. The more sublime soaking experience in the tub speaks for itself. Both bathrooms offer privacy and yet feel more spacious than before.

Designed by Anne De Wolf. Photos by Photo Art Portraits.

4. Tell us about your experience of working with Arciform.

Mostly gush, gush, gush!

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Mar 7

5 Tips to Add More Comfort and Joy to your Bathroom

Sometimes you don’t know how much better your morning can be until you have added a few of these subtle but essential creature comforts to your bathroom. Here’s our Top 5 update recommendations improve the comfort of your bathroom and bring more joy to your daily routine.

5. Dual Shower Heads

The master bath of this 1922 Colonial Revival home was renovated and expanded by Arciform. Designed by Anne De Wolf. Photo by Photo Art Portraits.

Whether your morning routine is too tight to allow for sequential showering or you just think that most things are better when done together, a shower alcove with room for both partners to shower at the same time can add enjoyment AND efficiency to your morning.

4. A Soaking Tub

This bathroom renovation by Arciform in a 1909 Queen Anne in the Forest Park neighborhood focused on highlighting the original architecture with a few luxurious amenities. Designed by Anne De Wolf. Photo by Photo Art Portraits.

The joys of a full sized tub you can really immerse yourself in cannot be overstated.

One expert tip: Consider the view. A tub designed for a long soak should have something beautiful to rest your eyes on while you relax. Whether its a beautiful window flooding the room with natural light or simply your favorite work of art hung right at eye level, the right view will create a space that invites reflection and encourages you to linger.

When you are done, an elegant handset will allow you to rinse off without the shock of of a full shower.

3. Foot-Friendly Flooring

This mid-century home in the SW Hills was a big change for the Arciform clients who had formerly owned a Tudor home. The bathroom update focused on clean lines and comfort amenities that both members of the couple could enjoy. Designed by Anne De Wolf. Photo by Arciform.

If you are planning to pull up the flooring anyway, consider tucking in electric radiant heat.

Having your bare toes meet warm tile will make the whole process of getting ready a pleasure. Plus, the whole bathroom will stay warmer.

Detail view of the bathroom flooring of our mid-century client. Designed by Anne De Wolf. Photo by Arciform.

This mid-century bathroom update added radiant floor heat beneath the large format tile in the main bath area and a pebbled surface to the shower alcove to gently massage feet in the shower. As a bonus, the pebbled surface resists slipping: always an important bathroom consideration.

2. Heated Bathroom Accessories

This bathroom renovation also incorporated a powder room for guests adjacent to the main bath. Designed by Anne De Wolf. Photo by Photo Art Portraits.

A towel warmer like the one at left ensures that getting out of the shower is as relaxing as getting in. And while you are at it, how about a heated toilet seat? Or a heated mirror that won’t fog up during your shower?

1. Why Not Add a Washlet?

The couple who has retired to a Pearl District loft asked Arciform to install several cool technology features, including a “washlet” on their toilet with a wall mounted control. Designed by Kristyn Bester. Photo by Photo Art Portraits.

Most older homes do not have room to accommodate both a toilet and a bidet… but any home can consider adding a “washlet.” This ingenious piece of technology installs like a regular toilet seat but functions like a bidet to provide warm water to your most sensitive places just when you need it. How supremely civilized!

What comfort amenities are you considering adding to your bathroom? Join us February 18th for a Master Suite Design Workshop to get inspired for your next project. Details and RSVP here.

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Feb 18

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