A Dated Bathroom Transformed With Smart Upgrades
When a family moved into their home in Washington, D.C.’s Capitol Hill neighborhood, they knew the interiors didn’t reflect their style. Built in 1908, the Victorian home had been “stripped of its original character” and filled with “trendy modern farmhouse elements” that included rustic shiplap, says interior designer Sara Swabb of Storie Collective. With the help of Tanya Smith-Shiflett of Unique Kitchens & Baths and builder Cann Construction, the team gave it a loving and timeless refresh—especially in the primary bathroom.
Like much of the four-bedroom, three-and-a-half bathroom home, the primary bathroom strikes a balance between modern and timeless. “The most notable design feature is the tension between the strong metals of the plumbing fixtures and hardware balanced with the texture and movement of the vanity fluting and ethereal marble veining,” Swabb says.
Smith-Shiflett designed the custom-fluted vanity vignette to bring the family’s organic style to life and add personalized storage. “The primary bathroom had builder-grade cabinetry, which did not hold up to the needs of the family,” she says. “The new vanity provides large personal drawers as well as a small centered shared storage solution.”
Other upgrades include a large mirror made of four panels, which allows light to bounce throughout the room. Three traditional sconces were mounted on the mirrors to direct light where it’s needed. Burnished brass plumbing fixtures give the space a warm, welcoming feel. In the shower, there’s a floating bench for seating, shelving for adequate storage, and a hand shower that the client requested. Now, the space is not only highly functional, but it’s elevated and more reflective of the Victorian row home's spirit with a modern twist.
Q & A
House Beautiful: How extensive was the project?
Sara Swabb: In this Victorian home on Capitol Hill, the interior had been gut renovated by a developer to match a modern farmhouse aesthetic which did not reflect our client or the intended style of the home. Our scope included a complete overhaul of the primary bathroom and powder room, a heavy kitchen refresh, along with new hardware, doors, paint, lighting, furnishings, and window treatments throughout the home. Our goal was to also elevate the home’s architectural details—including a new stair rail and original millwork—while creating a feminine, sophisticated space for a family of five (plus one adorable furry friend).
HB: What was the reason/inspiration for the makeover and how did you achieve it?
Tanya Smith-Shiflett: The homeowners had lived in England and California before settling with their three young children in Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C. The inspiration was driven directly from their previous cities of residence through a mix of California bohemian and British-inspired colors and grounded in their home’s Victorian-era roots. Our team struck a balance and toed the line between modern and edited yet inspired and detailed.
HB: Did you encounter any memorable hiccups, challenges, or surprises during the project? How did you pivot?
TSS: The burnished brass plumbing fixture finish from Waterworks was such a special feature in this design. The lead time was a little longer than desired due to the pandemic at the time; however, the right finish was truly worth the wait.
HB: Where did the majority of the budget go?
SS: The majority of the budget fell on the stone and tile, in both materials and labor costs.
HB: How did you save money/DIY/get crafty?
SS: While we originally envisioned one single mirror with hand-finished brass trim, it would have been too large to even get into the house. Instead, we decided to save a little money by doing four separate mirrors with beveled edges which turned out to be one of our favorite design details.
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