Bath Showcase: A Personal Retreat
Can something as simple as a remodeled bathroom be a dream come true? It was for a Goffstown couple who had lived with one dated family bathroom for almost 20 years. The couple’s 1960s ranch had been built by the husband’s father and was his childhood home. After marrying, he and his wife raised their two children there. The house was beloved but very small and not really meeting their needs.
“The family did not want to move,” explains James Ryan of BearHand LLC, in Deering. “They love their neighborhood and the house has great personal meaning.” But changes needed to be made, and, continues Ryan, “They especially longed for a private bathroom that could provide a personal escape, given how busy their lives are.” BearHand undertook an extensive home remodel, which included reconfiguring the layout so that the desired bathroom could fit. “We were literally planning down to an eighth of an inch; that’s how tight it was,” says Ryan. “But by moving two bedrooms to the basement, we managed to get living room, kitchen, laundry room and this ensuite bathroom all into 880 square feet.”
The bathroom features natural, earthy tones that create a soothing vibe and remind the couple of a special vacation spot in Mexico. Blue porcelain tiles wrap the walls, bringing the outside in, while tumbled bedrock lines the shower floor and is highlighted in a wall strip and coordinating shelf. Cool white quartz countertops pick up the crisp white of the window frames and walls, adding to the relaxing atmosphere. Soft gray Shaker cabinets introduce texture and keep the look from being too stark. Dark metal hardware in the shower, drawer pulls, sink fixtures and towel rods provides a contemporary feel, as do the cylindrical, hammered-glass lights placed in one dramatic row above the sinks. A large mirror spans the entire vanity wall, bringing in light and creating a spacious ambience.
“The couple wanted a two-person shower and for their bath to feel like a spa retreat,” says Ryan. “The shower is definitely a highlight, as it has a flip-up teak bench and a shower system with all the bells and whistles. There are three body jets, a rainfall feature, standard shower head and four-way diverter. You can use any or all of the features at once.”
Ryan notes that the couple are devoted to their kids, who are very active with sports and other activities. “Basically, they put off seeing to their needs for years. Now, with the kids off to college in a few years, they are making the house truly their own and one that they can stay in forever, as all of the amenities, including the bath, will help them
age in place.”
When the bathroom was revealed, the wife almost cried. “She never dreamed they would have a bathroom like this,” he says. “We were so pleased to be able to create this well-deserved retreat for them.”
