This bathroom project started out in a way that might sound familiar — with a client who wasn’t all that excited. Their home, a 1990s Cape Cod, had some wonderful features but definitely needed a little love. The space we were focusing on was the primary bathroom off the main bedroom, and while the footprint had already been reworked (larger shower, relocated vanity for a double-sink setup), the finishing touches were still up in the air.

The before: it was functional but could be better.

That’s where I came in.

The primary bedroom had already been painted Rhinestone by Sherwin-Williams, a soft, subtle blue gray that worked beautifully with the Oriental-style rug in the room. The rug itself was rich with tones of mauve, navy, and hints of aqua and rust. The client often swaps out bedding and pillows seasonally — blues in the summer, moody tones in the fall, softer neutrals in the winter — so it was important that the bathroom design would flow seamlessly with the bedroom but also remain flexible enough to shift with her style.

Now, this particular client has excellent taste but a very wide range of design loves. Cottage style. French country. A touch of glam. Even some ornate Victorian details. Add to that the fact that the house itself was a little bit of a design patchwork — the previous owners had layered in rustic elements that didn’t quite fit the Cape Cod bones — and we had our challenge. Our goal was to honor the architectural style of the home while helping her narrow in on a look that felt cohesive and true to her.

So, I came up with three different design directions for the bathroom:

Option One: Classic + Moody

For the first concept, I leaned into a subtle moody feel. We added box molding and paneling to bring in a timeless, classic structure without going overly dark. We imagined a paint color similar to Renwick Heather by Sherwin Williams – warm, rich and playing off of the mauve undertones in her rug. The checkered floors would add a classic geometric pattern to contrast the traditional oriental rug. This approach gave her lots of flexibility to play with accessories — patterned towels, layered rugs, or even seasonal décor. It struck a balance between refined and cozy, leaving room for her to infuse personality over time.

Option Two: Cottage-Inspire

Since she often said she wanted her home to “feel like a cottage,” we took that literally for the second option. This design featured beadboard halfway up the wall, a classic white marble tile, and a soft wallpaper pattern to pull in the blues from the bedroom. The vanity was a lighter tone, with a beachy undertone that warmed up the space. And while she’s not right on the shore of Lake Michigan, the town is coastal — so we layered in a hint of that breezy, coastal-cottage feel without going full “seashell bathroom.”

The star piece here? A vintage chandelier she had already sourced, which would instantly make the bathroom feel personal and one-of-a-kind. Although we determined that the chandelier would most likely end up in any of these designs.

Option Three: Pattern Play

The third option leaned into wallpaper in a bigger way. Since the primary bedroom walls were kept simple (just that beautiful rug for pattern), we knew the bathroom could carry more of the visual interest. The wallpaper we chose pulled in similar tones to the rug — taupes, navies, soft aquas — but with a light background so it felt fresh, not overwhelming.

To balance the pattern, we selected a darker vanity for contrast and anchoring, along with brass hardware and fixtures for continuity with the rest of the house. The floors were kept classic with a simple marble tile — timeless, not trendy, ensuring the wallpaper remained the star.

No matter which option she chose, all three shared a few key elements: brass finishes for flow, timeless tile choices, and a design that respected the Cape Cod bones of the house while reflecting her layered personal style.

This post is actually part one of two. Today, I’ve shared the design process, the client’s wish list, and the options we explored. In part two, I’ll reveal the final direction she chose and share photos of the completed bathroom remodel — a transformation that truly tied the primary suite together.

Which ones of these options is your favorite?

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