The Client’s Vision for a Modern Bath in Berlin

Before: The original Berlin bathroom was most certainly in its sunset years. It featured a baby-blue tub and shower enclosure against gloomy brown walls and ancient white tile flooring. A faded, dark wood vanity with a blue sink basin and an old, faded mirror contributed to the sense of being tight and retro in the 1980s. Lighting and fixtures were drab and uninteresting, so the room had a dark, outdated appearance to it. It was a functional bathroom, yet it lacked character and certainly did not reflect the modern appearance the homeowners wanted.

The owners wanted their imagination of completely remodeling this bathroom into a bright, new oasis. They dreamed of good-bye blue tub and hello modern walk-in shower. Rather than the vintage vanity, they wanted a hip new vanity with a modern sink that would offer more storage and aesthetic appeal. Improved lighting was at the top of their wish list – specifically an under-the-mirror light to make the space look like it had more room and welcome warmth. Additionally, the clients appreciated the idea of having matte black hardware and fixtures as a trendy, high-end contrast, and materials like wood-look tiles and modern finishes. They also wished for the bathroom to be not only aesthetically attractive and modern, but more practical for daily use. With this vision firmly in mind, our team at First Choice Bathroom Remodeling was delighted to bring their vision bathroom to life.

3. Shower and Vanity Installation

Next, the best part – bringing in the new look with new fixtures and surfaces. We installed the old tub with a low-profile, black shower base pan that created a sleek step-in shower area. Shower walls were covered with wood-grain look large-format porcelain tiles installed vertically. These tiles give the shower a warm, natural wood grain appearance while giving you the water resistance and strength of porcelain – perfect marriage of functionality and style. Within the shower, we built a big shower niche, accentuated with a coordinating tile, for soaps and shampoos. We installed a modern rainfall showerhead and coordinating hand-held shower wand in matte black, and instantly the shower now feels like a spa. As the old vanity was being removed, we installed the new one simultaneously. The owners chose a contemporary vanity cabinet with crisp lines and generous drawer space in a dark espresso finish. Featuring a beautiful white countertop, the vanity features a vessel sink – a sleek rectangular basin that sits above the counter for a clean appearance. We put in a matte black single-handle faucet that is tall enough to equal the vessel sink's height, matching the bathroom's theme of black fixtures. Installing the vanity not only updated the room's look but also improved functionality with increased storage and a renewed sink area.

4. Finishing Touches and Details

Having completed the major installations, we moved on to the finishing touches that really made the bathroom stand out. New floors were fitted: fantastic huge dark gray porcelain slabs cover the floor, replacing the old white tiles. These big floor tiles have a smooth finish and rich color that adds contemporary sophistication and also is ideal for reducing the appearance of dirt – a very practical added benefit. We painted walls a light, neutral hue (pale beige/taupe) and applied a fresh coat of paint to assist in brightening the room and counteract the wood-grain of the shower tiles. The trim around the interior door and windows was also updated with a deep charcoal contrast paint, including painting the existing baseboard heater cover, providing a splash of modern style along the edges of the room. Finally, we installed a new ventilation fan with a built-in light in the ceiling to provide better air flow and keep the bathroom fresh and free of mold, especially needed after converting the shower to be enclosed. All things, including the hooks for the black robe and the towel bar, were carefully picked to fit in with the new appearance. Our staff then completed a thorough clean-up and final inspection, double-checking to make sure all was spot on for our clientele.