Teak and Tile Bathroom Remodel in Mount Pleasant, Washington, DC
Project Overview
When the homeowners approached us they were looking for a number of improvements throughout their large home – an elegant, freestanding residence in Mount Pleasant, DC. They needed a larger master bath that would let them both use the room at the same time, and also needed to add more closet space in all four bedrooms.
Design and Layout
Since the master bathroom was part of a larger adjacent renovation, our design team had plenty of leeway when planning the space. The only thing that remained in its existing place was the window, and we were able to double the space of the closets and the bathroom without significantly altering the layout of the bedroom. At the client’s request we opted to forgo a tub, and instead install a large walk-in shower. They didn’t use the bathtub anyway, and we were renovating the hall bath as well which included a tub for their daughter. A shower bench was important, but they did not want a bulky obstruction (and storage ledge by default) that shower benches often become. Therefore we designed a wooden bench that can fold away into a niche in the wall – it is both functional and brings variety to the scale of the tile and the color palate. A double vanity was a must (which we built custom in our cabinet shop), as were dual medicine cabinets.
Style and Finishes
The clients wanted their bathroom designed as a clean contemporary space that was calming and warm. At the same time, they did not want their master bath to clash with the more traditional architecture throughout the rest of the house. For its warmth, we selected teak for the wooden elements (shower bench, vanity, radiator cover and trim) and settled on limestone as a complimentary tile and counter material. To avoid competition with the warmth of the teak, we selected a cooler stone (in a large format), sometimes referred to as Jerusalem Stone. This was used on the bathroom walls and floor. The niches are bordered with mosaic limestone that provides a subtle accent. Finally, the limestone counter top is of a grayish shade, which pulls the yellow-browns of the teak and wall stone together.
Construction and Final Product
As is typical when working in Washington, DC, logistics was our biggest challenge. Finding a place for our dumpster (while keeping the neighbors happy), parking for our work vans (without paying a small fortune in parking tickets), and storing materials was not easy. Luckily our crews are accustomed to these difficulties. Otherwise, construction went off without a hitch and the final product delighted the customers. Their bathroom was both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Through thoughtful planning and creative design, we had accommodated all of their requests and given them a quality bathroom that they will enjoy for years to come.
What the Customer Said
“Our home was built in 1923, and it has never looked so good until after Four Brothers renovations! In 2010, we hired Four Brothers to renovate our entire second floor, replacing two bathrooms and building built-ins and closets, and the results were so great that we had them back during 2011 to renovate our first floor kitchen and powder room. We interviewed many of the local “top tier” design build companies and chose Four Brothers based on the knowledge they had experience with renovating old homes (what to expect when unearthing a century old bathroom, replacing and updating plumbing and electricity, etc.). We also wanted a company that would comply with all of the local permitting rules, etc. and be responsible for the work of its contractors. Finally, we wanted a firm that would help us think innovatively about our space and design. They were on time and within budget, without sacrificing aesthetics.”