Rocky Hill, Connecticut | Tub-to-Shower Conversion & Gold Accent Transformation
Rocky Hill, Connecticut | Tub-to-Shower Conversion & Gold Accent Transformation
Project Overview
Every bathroom remodeling project in Durham, CT starts with a different "why," and for our client Chris, the why was independence. His existing bathroom worked well enough on paper — a tub-shower combo, a vanity, and a separate toilet nook — but the dated blue tub, the high step-over, and the slick surfaces made the room harder to use than it should have been. First Choice Bathroom Remodeling was brought in to rebuild the space around one centerpiece: a spacious, low-threshold walk-in shower that would be as safe as it is beautiful. The finished room pairs large-format marble-look tile, a frameless glass enclosure, brushed nickel fixtures, and thoughtful aging-in-place details, all pulled together into a clean, modern full-bathroom update.
The Challenge
The original bathroom was a time capsule. A vintage blue alcove tub sat beneath small square beige wall tile and a shower curtain, with a single chrome valve and one tiny corner shelf doing all the work. The dark wood vanity wore a pink-toned top, the lighting was dim, and the room felt closed in from every angle. But the real problem wasn't cosmetic — it was functional. Climbing over a tub wall every day is one of the most common fall risks in any home, the floor offered little confidence underfoot, and there was nothing sturdy to hold onto. Chris wanted a bathroom that worked for him now and would keep working for decades, without giving up an ounce of style to get it.
Our Solution
Our crew began with a complete demolition, removing the blue tub, the surrounding tile, and the tired vanity top right down to the studs. In the tub's footprint, we built a custom
tub-to-shower conversion: a low-profile shower base that's easy to step into, wrapped in large-format gray marble-look porcelain tile with far fewer grout lines to maintain. Behind the tile, the shower was built on cement backer board with a full waterproofing system, so what you can't see is engineered as carefully as what you can.
Safety drove the details. We installed a brushed nickel rainfall shower head plus a handheld sprayer on an adjustable slide bar — the water comes to you, seated or standing — and anchored grab bars inside the shower and beside the toilet for steady support exactly where it's needed. A triple recessed niche with mosaic tile backing and solid-surface shelves keeps bottles off the floor, and the frameless glass enclosure with its integrated towel bar keeps sightlines open so the room feels larger. Around the room, the vanity was refreshed with a bright white countertop, an arched mirror flanked by new sconces, and a glass-door linen cabinet, while new marble-look flooring, fresh paint, and the privacy-glass window pulled everything together.
The Final Result
The difference is night and day. Where a blue tub and a curtain once closed off the room, there's now a bright, open
walk-in shower with an easy low entry, frameless glass, and brushed nickel fixtures that catch the light from the window. Chris can step in without climbing, sit comfortably, and reach everything he needs — and the room finally looks the way it functions. The vanity wall, toilet nook, and flooring now read as one cohesive modern space instead of three dated ones.
Highlights of this Durham bathroom remodel include:
- Custom tub-to-shower conversion with a low-threshold shower base
- Frameless glass enclosure with brushed nickel hardware and towel bar
- Large-format marble-look porcelain wall tile with a triple recessed niche featuring mosaic backing and solid-surface shelves
- Rainfall shower head and handheld sprayer on an adjustable slide bar
- Anchored grab bars inside the shower and beside the toilet
- New marble-look floor tile, white vanity countertop, arched mirror, and new sconce lighting
- Glass-door linen cabinet and over-toilet storage in the water closet nook
If you're considering a bathroom remodel in Durham, CT, we'd love to help. First Choice Bathroom Remodeling is a family-owned, Plainville-based company — licensed and insured, with no subcontractors, so the same crew handles your project from demolition to final walkthrough. We offer 0% financing, $1,500 off a full remodel, and a 10% senior discount. Call 860-560-1028 today to schedule your free 30-minute in-home estimate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Areas of Durham, Connecticut Do You Serve?
First Choice Bathroom Remodeling proudly serves homeowners throughout Durham, Connecticut, and the surrounding Middlesex County communities. From our Plainville headquarters we complete projects across the Greater Hartford area and most of Connecticut — including nearby towns like Wallingford, Middletown, and Meriden — bringing the same licensed, in-house crews to every bathroom remodeling project in Durham, CT.
What Makes a Walk-In Shower Safer Than a Bathtub?
A walk-in shower removes the high tub wall that causes most bathroom falls and replaces it with a low-threshold entry you can simply step over. In this Durham project, we paired that easy entry with anchored grab bars, a handheld sprayer on a slide bar, and comfortable room to sit — features that let the shower adapt as your needs change, which is the heart of aging-in-place bathroom design.
How Much Does a Bathroom Remodel Cost in Durham, CT?
Every bathroom is different, so we price every project individually with clear, upfront numbers — no surprises. The fastest way to get an accurate figure is a free 30-minute in-home estimate: call 860-560-1028 and we'll measure your space, talk through your goals, and give you transparent pricing backed by our 0% financing options.
