Redesigning a Primary Bathroom: A Before and After Story
Bay Area interior designer Nina Jizhar believes that a home should reflect its owner’s lifestyle, and that its look and feel should be a true collaboration between designer and client. In this bathroom remodel, the client wanted to transition from the home’s original 1990s look…
…to a fresh, modern, bright, and airy space. For this 1990’s bathroom remodel, Nina Jizhar took into consideration not only style, but function, thinking through cabinetry, lighting, and, of course, beauty.
The directive was to use a neutral color palate but “not be boring.”
IRG: How much input do you generally receive from a client?
Nina Jizhar: Prior to the first consultation, we ask our clients to send any Pinterest or Houzz boards they like so we can look through some inspirational images for more design detail and style direction. This process helps us to know our client’s design sense before we start and really contributes to our moving forward.
IRG: What are the first steps you take when you tackle a remodel?
Nina Jizhar: Putting together a design plan included walking through IRG’s aisles of stone slabs (and choosing IRG’s Fior Di Pesco), allowing the thought process behind this dramatic transformation to begin take place, and an elevated and unique area to emerge. We want to make sure the functionality aspects of the bathroom that were not working before for them would be addressed and improved–from storage to layout. We want their new bathroom to best suit their lifestyle, aesthetically as well as functionally.
IRG: Why did you select IRG’s Fior Di Pesco Marble? How did you select the AKDO tile?
Nina Jizhar: Our client fell in love with a photo of a Giada De Laurentiis kitchen and the marble she used in it. We know IRG is a great resource for unique marbles (with their vast in-stock inventory), and the staff is always on hand to lend knowledge and assistance.
I came in with a Giada De Laurentiis photo as a reference and IRG immediately located the perfect choice for this project. The marble we selected is IRG’s Fior Di Pesco and it is absolutely stunning. The stone has warm grey and white veining with streaks of a deep reddish-purple color.
We did not want to take away the beauty of this marble and so we selected complimentary tiles mostly in white but with lots of texture. These are from IRG’s AKDO designer tile line.
We alternated a white subway tile in matte and gloss finish and installed it in a herringbone pattern. The vanity backsplash is a white marble cut into small 1×2″ tiles for added texture and interest.
IRG: How was your experience working with IRG?
Nina Jizhar: Working with IRG has always been great and this project was just another example. They are helpful with the selection and sample ordering. They located the slab quickly and were flexible with delivery. The staff even coordinated other elements such as paint and cabinet stain selections. Working with IRG, we can always be confident of the outcome.
IRG: How do you feel about the end result? Would you have done anything differently?
Nina Jizhar: Both our client and everyone on our team love it! We wouldn’t change a thing.
Note: If you are a designer or a client who would like to have a recent project featured in IRG’s Design Talks Series, please contact: Jogreet Chadha at IRG 415-657-0280