Bath Showcase: The Natural Solution

August 21, 2025

Michael Colbert, Morgan Karanasios, Photographer,

Sometimes, there is no better asset than rich, natural light. When Granite State Cabinetry’s Whitney Nelson began work on the primary bathroom for a family of five in Concord, she saw an opportunity to create a space that could become the couple’s soothing sanctuary.

“I was most excited about the natural light,” Nelson says. “The windows on the backside of the house are expansive, and they bring the nature from outside in.”

Inspired by the outdoors, the sound of water, the trees beyond the window, and the sunlight pouring in, Nelson set to work to create a bathroom that could dialogue with the natural world in this quiet corner of Concord. The homeowner trusted Nelson’s vision wholeheartedly.

“I really think that we became a partnership,” says Nelson. “I learned so much about them. We were making selections together, and she trusted me along the way. I always say, ‘You need to love this because you have to live in this. Would you say yes to this over and over and over again?’”

Prioritizing a palette of whites, the bathroom reflects sunlight from the window and breathes even more air into the already spacious room. A soaking tub rests before the windows, giving “forest bathing” new meaning. Designing the shower, Nelson wanted to bring this same sense of ease to mornings getting ready for work. Undulated tiles lend the space a cozier, more artisanal feel. Stacking them vertically created a simple pattern with textural depth.

Marble floors enhance the room’s sense of luxury, and polished nickel fixtures bring to the room some classic “bling.” Nelson found balance for the bathroom’s snazzier finishes with soft white oak cabinetry.

One challenge arose in designing the vanity. A closet had formerly occupied the corner of the room, and the homeowner wanted to fit two sinks into the space.

“When we got rid of the closet, the wall behind it was at an angle. I thought, ‘Oh, no, we can’t put two sinks there,’ so we had to get a little creative to hide that angle as best as possible while maximizing her storage after getting rid of that closet.”

The solution? A white oak cabinet that towers from the vanity to the ceiling, providing essential storage space with a crafty sleight of hand.