How to Elevate a Guest Bathroom

Any renovation project is an undertaking, even when transforming a small space. In bathroom remodels, specifically, an equal amount of plumbing, fixtures and design decisions are required whether outfitting a grandiose primary bath or a modest guest bath. In a recent project in Franklin, we tackled remodels for both at the same time, which helped streamline the process and share resources between the two. 

We unpacked the stunning (and eccentric) primary bathroom remodel in a recent blog, but the design choices in the smaller space were just as transformative. 

Check out this bathroom redesign Q&A and deeper look into the “Break the Status Quo” project. 

Is it better to tackle projects at the same time, or stagger them? 

The choice ultimately comes down to personal preference, but we recommend bundling projects into one as opposed to separating them out. In any remodel, your home becomes a construction zone, so knocking projects out in one swoop reduces the amount of time your home will be disrupted. Plus, in many cases, there may be opportunities to share labor or materials between spaces. If a tiling or plumbing team is already there to outfit a kitchen, it can sometimes be a cost saver to tackle the bathroom at the same time. 

How can you maximize space in a small bathroom?

In our recent guest bath remodel, which was certainly a small space, we maximized every inch by looking up and looking in. We added floating shelving above the toilet to maximize the room’s height and create a space for attractive storage and decoration. We also selected a vanity with several drawers and shelving for additional storage.

In the shower, we created a niche wall to house and display toiletry items. By utilizing space within the drywall, we were able to leverage an area that wouldn’t otherwise be used to give guests a touch of extra room when showering. 

What can I expect from a bathroom remodel? 

All remodels are different, and we love customizing design choices and plans based on each client’s desires. But, it’s important to note that bathroom renovations big or small are intricate processes. The options are endless when it comes to rerouting plumbing and transforming the entire space, or simply opting to upgrade fixtures, flooring and paint. 

How can I incorporate color into a bathroom or powder room?

In this project, we kept neutral walls and added pops of color through the navy blue vanity, gold and silver fixtures and penny tile in shades of blue on the shower floor and backdropping the niche wall. Our clients loved unique patterns and textures, so we selected a geometric tile for the floor in black and white, creating a stunning modern focal point for the entire space.  


Have other questions we didn’t address here? We have answers. Contact us here!

This Bathroom Breaks the Status Quo


Who says a bathroom should be boring?! Historical bathroom design has been synonymous with tranquility and relaxation, with lots of neutral palettes in Earth tones and shades of blue. While stunning, we’re always on board with a design that deviates from tradition. In a recent remodel in Franklin, we helped our clients transform their primary bath from drab to beyond fabulous, and the result was anything but boring. 

Take a look at all of the stunning details. 

Mixed Patterns and Textures 

The use of mixed patterns from floor to ceiling perfectly captured our client’s eclectic style. We used a black and white geometric floral tile pattern on the floor, with white picket-shaped tile serving as a contrasting backsplash for the standalone tub and rain shower. To maximize space, we created a niche in the shower to hold toiletries, using a teal penny tile in both the niche and on the shower floor.

Varying Color

This project incorporated several bold shades – from black and white patterns to three different blues. We opted for Sherwin Williams Riverway on the walls, a beautiful slate blue shade that perfectly enhanced the teal tile in the shower. We incorporated a faint blue green textured vinyl wallpaper on the vanity wall to bring all of the hues together. 

Our clients loved the look of darker wood, which we incorporated through the vanity, shelving and matching trim. We grounded the bold look further with a beautiful gold-framed mirror and complementary light fixture on each side of the double vanity. The entire project was brought together by a stunning piece of colorful art hanging above the standalone tub, a piece that was painted by a local Nashville artist Catron Wallace. 

We’re passionate about ensuring every room in every home is thoughtfully designed with our client’s goals in mind – whether that’s a tranquil oasis of calming spa blues or a curated collection of bold colors and textures. Ready to see your dream design come to life? We’re a phone call away! 

Fun with Color in Franklin

It’s no secret, our team LOVES color! Working alongside clients who are eager to incorporate pops of color in their home are some of our favorite challenges. Through bright accent walls to textured materials and meaningful knicknacks, there are a multitude of ways to add color into home design. 

We love the way our recent Westhaven project went bold in just about every room. Check it out

The Living Room

Our Westhaven project was a new build, making the living room a literal blank canvas when we began – with only white wills, a light fixture and a traditional fireplace at its center. We maintained neutral tones through our design, while also incorporating pops of color by adding purposeful decor and furniture.

We swapped the white walls for a light blue, creating a focal point with a square-patterned wallpaper surrounding the fireplace. A pair of white credenzas were added on opposite sides, with bright decor in coastal colorways to create a contrast. With a neutral yellow rug anchoring the space, we decided to add a bold teal velvet couch, wood furniture and gold accents to complete the look. We brought it all together through a pair of fun drapes from designer Pindler & Pindler – a pattern of uneven multi-colored circles capping faux roman shades. 

The Kitchen

The living room opened into the kitchen in our Westhaven project, so we knew we needed to incorporate shared elements in both spaces. We capped the kitchen’s large windows with the same multi-colored drapes and faux roman shades, and found a complementary fabric to recover the family’s existing bar stools. The blue walls also continued into the kitchen, broken up by light gray wooden cabinets, white countertops and a white tiled backsplash. 

The Powder Room

Who knew a powder room could be this fun?! Our pops of color continued even into the half bath, with lively accent wall bookends of wallpaper dripping with color, anchored by a shiplap back wall. The art and decor brought the vision to life even further, which was completed with a translucent blue light fixture and oval gold mirror. But why stop there? We continued the fun all the way into the ceiling by adding a coat of hot pink. 

The Primary Bedroom 

We went bold in the bedroom, creating an oasis perfectly suited for restful nights with a palette inspired by the night sky. Our navy walls were brightened with white end tables and wooden and wicker furnishings, plus white bedding and lighter blue throw pillows. The result is dreamy in every sense of the word! The room’s ceiling captures the attention of all who enter, complete with a stunning Made Goods chandelier built from woven coco beads. 

Do you want to add pops of color into your space? We are experts in this area – give us a call!

Keep Calm and Be BOLD

Working with an interior designer does require a fair amount of trust – it’s your home, after all! We’ve worked with clients who sought everything from a completely neutral color palette to those wanting to incorporate all colors of the rainbow, and plenty of families who fall somewhere in between. 

While neutral design is beautiful and timeless, we love a pop of bold color to let the personality of each of our families really shine. We achieve this through colorful textiles, carefully-selected paint and curated accent pieces that complement our clients’ colorful vision. 

Need some ideas on how to incorporate color into your home design? Here are a few of our favorite projects where pigments really shine. 

Navy Nights

Dark blue is synonymous with sleep, so we loved incorporating navy paint and furniture into a recent primary bedroom redesign in Franklin. We added Naval by Sherwin Williams to all four bedroom walls with a matching dresser to seamlessly blend in, then began brightening the room with shades of brown, white and yellow. 

As with any primary room, the bed is the focal point, and the brown wood frame with a matching wicker bench at its footboard brought a welcomed contrast against the darker walls. We then added bright white bedding and complementary pillows, a pair of charming lamps, patterned drapes and white side tables. The star of the show, however, towers above it all: a stunning chandelier built from gold and woven coco beads, a masterpiece from design brand Made Goods

Restful Teal

In contrast to our starry night-inspired bedroom, we brought a bright color into another recent Franklin redesign: teal! The color sparks calm as much as it does energy, and we loved the use of it on these primary bedroom walls so much, we presented a case to our clients to make the color even more prominent than originally intended. Since it’s such a bold color (and arguably unconventional for a primary bedroom), we began painting in stages, beginning with an accent wall, then moving it through to adjacent walls, and ultimately, we added it onto the ceiling as well. 

We dialed the teal down with a textured accent wall along the back – a thick, multi-colored natural grasscloth textured wallpaper backdropping the bed – with hints of blues, neutrals and orange lines running through with stunning gold and white sconces on either side. We rounded out the design with patterned drapes and coral and white accents. One of our favorite focal points is the chevron patterned sliding door leadinging into the bathroom, where our teal continued: check it out here

When preparing to go bold with your design, it’s important to trust your designer and trust the process. Ready to take the leap? Reach out to us today. 

Inside Our Modern Nashville Surprise Project

Every family is unique: some have a troop of children, others have a litter of rescue pets, many are empty nesters ready to cultivate a space for entertaining, and some have all of the above! A thoughtfully-designed home can tackle these (and other) challenges with ease, maximizing spaces to create an environment perfectly suited to fit your specific needs. 

Our Modern Nashville Surprise project is the perfect example of designing with circumstance in mind, while also achieving our clients’ design goals and preferences. The existing home was a standard build, but with four children and a pup, we knew we needed to curate a space perfectly suited just for them. Here’s how we did it.

Relocating and Reimagining Existing Spaces

When approaching a remodel, it’s important to remember that rooms don’t have to keep the same function as they were originally intended. In our Modern Nashville Surprise project, we knew we needed a dedicated space to serve as a catch-all and clean up station for the kids constantly venturing in and out of the house. 

We converted what was once an office into a sleek mud room to perfectly mask the chaos that comes along with kids, even designing four separate cabinets, drawers, and slots for individual laundry baskets. Plus, we added a double washer and dryer to make laundry a breeze! Behind the cabinetry, our clients can perfectly conceal things like shoes and cleaning supplies. 

Simple Swaps to Add Charm

While we kept functionality in mind throughout the redesign, charm and appeal were equally as important to us and our clients. And when you’re thinking about curating an inviting home, the front door is the perfect place to start! The existing home had a traditional brick outdoor entryway with a wooden door. The home’s exterior received a coat of white paint, so we wanted the front door to really make a statement – and the result certainly does! The copper front door was created by Copper is my Canvas, and it’s a showstopper. 

Maintaining Design Preferences

The name “Modern Nashville Surprise” perfectly sums up this project’s results, especially when you consider the before. The existing interior was drab and dated, and our clients wanted a look that would be bright, sleek and modern, yet timeless. The result was a stunning, cohesive transformation that perfectly blended style and function through the use of monochromatic whites and grays, marble, and chrome. 

While creating spaces to accommodate growing kids was important, we also ensured the parents had a respite equally as beautiful and practical. Check out the primary bathroom and kitchen! 

Ready to tackle your home redesign? We’re here to help. Schedule your consultation today.