George Kall, president of Ashburn-based Metro Building and Remodeling Group, modernized every bathroom in an Alexandria home as part of the whole-house renovation.
Kall “blew out the whole back of the house,” expanding the kitchen and building an addition above, creating a true master suite for the parents. Where there had been no master prior to the reno, the couple now enjoy a roomy, light-filled space.
He outfitted a pair of what became two sibling hall bathrooms for the couple’s three children in the existing part of the home, creating spaces that fit snugly into the angles of the dormer windows. The girls, ages 5 and 9, share a fun and ladylike space to grow into, equipped with a Jacuzzi bathtub/shower combo to massage their tired muscles after dance competitions.
A vibrant red penny tile backsplash sits above the double vanity, and the lengthy quartz countertops and twin sinks will accommodate the girls as they grow into getting ready for school. Nestled into the dormer window sits a cushioned bench with storage for stashing fresh towels or spare rolls of toilet paper. In the future, the bench might serve as a perch for the girls and their friends as they ready for slumber parties, and later, nights out.
Built with a glass-front shower, the boy’s space doubles as an occasional guest bath. The blue mosaic-tiled backsplash and quartz countertop prove timeless. For this young sports fan, the white cabinets have been embellished with age-appropriate knobs: soccer balls, basketballs and baseballs, which can easily be swapped out when his tastes mature.
For the brand-new master suite’s bathroom, the choice of a neutral color palette makes for a relaxing experience. The gray-toned porcelain floor tile and dark-stained cabinetry contrast with the light marble countertops and bathtub surround. The separate glass-enclosed shower features overhead and handheld jets and sprays, installed at standard height and higher, because the husband is so tall. To bring in as much natural light as possible, Kall’s design incorporated the creative placement of sun-filled windows.
Beyond the showpieces of the master bathroom, a separate toilet room—complete with a window—is tucked behind a pocket door. When it’s unoccupied, the couple can slide open the door to brighten up the rest of the bathroom, says Kall, who lined up the pocket door with the master suite’s entry, so that light spills into the master bedroom, as well.
Client Wants
Kall says the homeowners had clear ideas when it came to updating the three baths. “This is their forever home,” he says, and they wanted to create flexible, tailored and timeless spaces that the children could grow into. The brand-new, sun-washed master bath suits the couple’s needs with its separate bathtub and shower and ample dual prep area.
Final Remodel
Kall created three appealing, comfortable bath spaces for all five family members—and even the occasional guest. Each bath was personalized for its primary occupants, but not to the point that a facelift would be required in the near future.
Challenges
The remodeled sibling bathrooms are roughly the same size, preventing any rivalry on that point, at least. But to even them up, Kall calculated that the boy’s bedroom could spare about 18 inches, which he reallocated for better flow in the bathroom. That’s the whole point of the whole-house reno: Kall made sure this family would feel forever at home.
