Date:  June 2, 2019  |   Story: Tiffany Adams  |   Photography: Rett Peek  |  

Designer Lori Carpenter reinvents her home’s master bath to last for years to come

After living in their Ash Flat home for the past 27 years, designer Lori Carpenter and her husband, Martin, were ready for a few updates—namely in the master bath. While they were planning, a foot surgery opened Lori’s eyes to numerous aspects of the space that might not work for the couple down the road. “I needed a bench in the shower to make it easier to use,” she says, “and we never used our Jacuzzi tub, because it’s difficult to get in and out.”

She remedied this by removing the tub and using the space to install a large zero-threshold walk-in shower with a roomy bench and handheld shower fixture.

The space where the shower was previously located became a water closet, and new counter-height cabinetry (rather than shorter versions that require stooping over to retrieve items), lighting, flooring, and accessories pulled the rest of the room together. “We gutted it and moved everything around to make it more functional for this stage of our lives,” Lori says.

Along with function, the space also got a style upgrade. “I’m traditional, but I like the more dramatic side; I like a lot of black,” Lori says. To this point, the room’s standout features—the shower surround and a tall storage cabinet—are black while a mix of neutrals and metals add polish to freshen the design. “We love the space, and I think down the road we’ll be even happier that we did the renovation now,” Lori says.

1 Elegant Glow
Lori had seeded glass sconces mounted on top of the wall mirrors to provide extra lighting for tasks such as shaving and applying makeup.

2 Functional Style
Lori notes the built-in bench, handheld shower wand, and grab bar are other age-in-place features that make the space functional for anyone.

3 Mixing It Up
For the cabinetry hardware, Lori mixed metals and materials. She used Lucite and oil-rubbed-bronze pulls on her vanity and chose gold pulls for the black cabinetry.

4 Pattern Play
Porcelain tiles laid in a herringbone pattern mimic the look of brick on the floor. “I used this in a client’s home, and absolutely loved it,” Lori says of the inspiration.

On the Grid
“I went to the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show in Orlando a couple of years back and fell in love with a version of this shower. I knew I wanted to replicate it when we remodeled,” Lori says. The custom-made metal-and-glass structure features panes on the exterior only, allowing for easy cleaning on the inside. The graphic lines and dark black color play into her love of dramatic design, while neutral-hued, large-scale porcelain tile covers the interior walls for a clean yet warm feel.

Design Resources
Contractor Jody Eldridge, Eldridge Woodworks Interior design Lori Carpenter, The Grapevine Home Cabinetry Eldridge Woodworks Countertops Schmidt Countertops Faucets and hardware The Grapevine Home Flooring and tile Quality Floor Coverings Lighting The Lamp Outlet and The Grapevine Home Mirrors All Pro Glass Paint Sherwin-Williams

BEFORE & AFTER