Date:  December 1, 2023  |   Story: Eileen Beard  |   Photography: Rett Peek  |   Styling: Angela Alexander  |  

Ashley Brewer Interiors gives a dark and dated bath in Marion the spa treatment

When Sarah and Bill Burrows moved into their Marion home in 2017, redesigning the primary bath didn’t top the priority list. But five years later, when a leak forced them to pull out the shower tiles, the timing felt right to renovate the dark and dated space. Having worked with designer Ashley Brewer to redo one of their children’s bedrooms, the couple called on her again to create a streamlined new bathroom with traditional touches to tie it to the rest of the home.

“The elements in spas are typically neutral and light. That’s the feel we were going for,” Ashley says. Because the renovation wasn’t planned, she tried to keep the updates cost-effective. One of their biggest savings came from keeping the existing vanity. With a coat of warm taupe paint plus new hardware and quartz countertops, the piece has a brand-new look at a fraction of the cost. To make the room feel larger, Ashley installed a counter-to-ceiling mirror and added wall sconces for more light.

Next, the deck-style tub was replaced with a freestanding version. “That was really important to Sarah because she loves to take baths,” the designer says. On the floors and shower walls, Ashley achieved a marble look for less with veined ceramic tiles. Real marble in a tiny hexagon tile adds a fun detail to the shower floor and niche, but Ashley skipped tile as the tub surround. “She has molding in her dining room and up the staircase, so we thought it would be a really fun traditional element here,” Ashley says.

In keeping with the updated theme, the designer mixed metals with a brushed nickel finish on the plumbing fixtures and antique brass on the lighting and cabinetry hardware. Fresh paint on the ceiling, walls, and trim lighten the space, and original artwork by Memphis artist Shelby Wimberly adds a pop of personality. The result is a timeless and relaxing place of refuge for the couple. “I work with clients who may not want to renovate a bathroom for another 10 years,” Ashley says. “We want to make sure it’s not going to be outdated in two.

“The elements in spas are typically neutral and light. That’s the feeling we were going for.”
—Ashley Brewer, designer

Solid Stone
“Faux marble options can look just as beautiful as real marble but are more cost-effective and durable,” Ashley says of the “Taj Mahal” quartzite countertop. The creamy beige stone has white and brassy veining that harmonizes with the antique brass finish on the hardware and sconces.

Antique Appeal
The “Glenwood” deck-mount fixture from Signature Hardware plays into Sarah’s traditional style, with white porcelain handles and a bridge-style faucet. Its brushed nickel finish keeps it in the transitional realm.

Coveted Classic
The homeowner loved these Visual Comfort sconces with classic linen shades and an antique brass finish, and the curve of the piece’s arm is a pleasing contrast to the straight lines of the mirror and vanity.

Warmed-up White
“Spaces that use a lot of white can sometimes feel cold,” Ashley says. To counter this, the designer looked for tile with a hint of beige veining for the flooring and shower walls. The added warmth also plays off the hue of the newly painted vanity.

The walls are painted “Dove White” and the cabinetry is painted “Stone Hearth,” both by Benjamin Moore.

Design Resources
Contractor Michael Rushing, Quality Flooring & Cleaning Interior design Ashley Brewer, Ashley Brewer Interiors Countertops, fixtures, flooring, and tile Quality Flooring & Cleaning Lighting Magnolia Lighting (Memphis)