Dark GreenBathroom
Forest & Lake Inspired in the Cariboo
When it came time to add the cabin’s first-ever indoor bathroom, it made sense to include a subtle nod to its outdoorsy roots. A deep green shower tile was chosen—not because green is trending, but because it echoes the forest surroundings and the memory of jumping into the lake for a summer bath.
Professional “After” Photos: Lisa Novak Photography, Kamloops, BC
Before/During Photos: Kelly Grimes
Timberrrrr!…Making Way for a New Bathroom Addition
Back in the day, having an outhouse as your only toilet was perfectly normal—and in this part of the Cariboo, it still is. Many recreational properties rely solely on outhouses, while some owners opt to upgrade with a detached “bath house” rather than build a full addition. This renovation landed somewhere in between: a full indoor bathroom, but with a composting toilet—no septic field required.
Original Outhouse from the late ‘70s
During the design phase, we explored a wide range of ideas to determine what the build would include, how to maximize the available space, and how to address the physical constraints of the site—particularly the placement and accessibility of the composting unit beneath the cabin for daily maintenance.
After several rounds of discussion and design iterations, the homeowner, designer, and contractor reached a unanimous decision: positioning the new bathroom to the right of the entry would provide the most functional and efficient layout.
The Bathroom Design Process
This process took roughly the better part of the fall and into late winter to hammer out the final design and the wait was worth it.
Corner Shower Bathroom Design
Space and Lighting Plan of the proposed interior layout.
New Cabin Bathroom and Decor
The entry into the new bathroom. Vintage fly fishing wall art collection sets the tone for the cabin vibe.
Inspiration & Color Palette
Inspired by the surrounding nature, once the location and size of the bathroom was finally determined, Kelly got to work with the interior design and decorating of the space.
An old-world tapestry wallpaper, aptly named Spruce Forest by Rebel Walls, was chosen to evoke the feeling that this bathroom once belonged outdoors, surrounded by the spruce, pine and fir trees of British Columbia’s great forests.
A vintage lantern adds another nostalgic detail, reminiscent of nighttime walks to the outhouse guided only by flashlight.
“It’s Going to be New and it’s Not going to be WHITE”
Paint selections are Sherwin Williams SW 9650 Succulent for the walls and SW 9111 Antler Velvet for the ceiling.
The two colors together bring both depth and warmth to the room. The resulting space is intentionally moody and grounded—there’s nothing “city white” about it.
Connecting the Bathroom with the Main Cabin
Because the bathroom is the room furthest away from the rest of the main cabin, it was important for Kelly to include a color similar to the honey pine found throughout the old cabin and immediately adjacent at the front entry (shown here).
With green being the dominant color in the bathroom, it was only natural for the connection to come from the cabinetry.
The mellow yellow of the natural birch coloring on the bathroom cabinetry would provide that peaceful connection with the honey pine found throughout the rest of the cabin. (See the Bathroom Cabinetry section for more details on the cabinetry.)
Wolf Painting: Jeni McKay
This is mainly because the old cabin’s pier block foundation from 1979 would not withstand the weight of a tiled floor, so it was decided only the entry and bathroom would receive the tile treatment.
Three different floorings were selected to be used throughout the main floor.
Floor Color Palette
A single color running through these three materials would have to be the same, in order for the space to feel cohesive.
Therefore, the bathroom floor tile (Olympia Tile), the entry floor tile (Restore) and the cabin’s main LVP (Fuzion) flooring would have to coordinate with one another…
A color that would help these various areas be united and allow the whole cabin to feel larger than it were…
Bar stools: CF Interiors,
North Vancouver
The trio color inspiration?:
Cariboo mud.
Cariboo mud—a beautiful greige perfect for cabin flooring…
Bathroom Cabinetry—Custom & Recycled
The original cabin has always lived by the motto, “if you don’t need it, take it to the cabin”—a place for things you’re not quite ready to part with but don’t need at home. On the flip side, it’s also been a haven for treasures found at garage sales—those irresistible “start the car!” moments from the IKEA ad.
This addition was no different. For the new bathroom, the design began with a found piece: the vanity.
The goal was to ensure the addition didn’t look so new that it made the old cabin feel “shabby sh*t.” Finding the right mix of new and old elements was key—pieces that blended seamlessly without outshining the original charm.
The vanity, discovered through a Facebook Marketplace ad, came complete with a granite top, sink, and hardware, perfectly sized and colored for the space. It needed only a touch of refinement: authentic vintage brass hardware and a hex-tile backsplash.
Recycled Cabinetry
To make the most of the compact layout, two towel hooks were added under the counter beside the vanity—saving space and keeping the focus on the statement wallpaper and the gallery wall of vintage art, designed to surprise and delight every visitor.
Custom Cabinetry—
Open Shelving Cabinetry
Custom Cabinet:
Top Notch Woodworking,
North Vancouver, BC
The shelving unit on the other hand, would be a custom designed "new" furnishing at the cabin made to fit in the tiny space behind the bathroom door.
Kelly, being an interior decorator specializing in small space planning, designed the floating shelving unit to host guests' toiletry bags of varying sizes or treasured finds to display.
Could you spare a square
…inch?
While a great find comes naturally to Kelly, precise space planning—down to the last eighth of an inch (or more!)—is what ensures each design is both functional and beautiful. If a layout doesn’t work, it’s reimagined until it does. Every detail must meet both ideals.
For this custom bathroom cupboard, there’s ample storage for guests’ toiletries, along with a clever nook perfectly sized for either small or large tissue boxes.
This thoughtful detail keeps the countertop clear, allowing the beauty of the natural stone—and in this bathroom’s case, the luxury of an indoor sink—to truly shine. (It’s the simple things we so often take for granted!)
Design Dilemma:
Install a Corner Mirror, or Not?
This fully functioning recessed medicine cabinet was installed reversely, opening from left to right, in order for a bathing guest to not have to be fully on display whilst showering.
A slimline bathroom garbage can was sourced specifically for this small space (between the toilet and the wall.) It provides functionality while allowing for some negative space in the room—making the space feel larger than it is.
Mirror, Mirror on The Wall…
Installing a recessed medicine cabinet allows the sink user to “open the cabinet door mirror” to help with personal hygiene, when needed.
In our regular day-to-day homes we have a mirror right directly in front of the sink—but at a cabin, you’re there to relax and why are you looking at yourself? Look at the art, look at the wallpaper, look at the paint or the ceiling.
There’s beauty all around (other than what you see in the mirror). Close that mirror and start enjoying the outdoors!
Design Decision:
Striped Shower Tile
Stacked Vertical Tile Trend
Narrow brick tiles are having a moment in 2024/2025 being stacked vertically and as appealing as that was to do, I also wanted the design to be more intentional for the cabin and last for decades to come, not feel too new and trendy.
Stacked Horizonally for the ol’ Design “Trick of the Eye”
Stacked horizontally, the green 2x9 brick shower tile helps to visually expand the space vertically, while the 1” hex tile laid horizontally in a striped pattern, allows the space to expand horizontally. The two tiles combined, vertically and horizontally, allows the small symmetrical corner shower to trick the eye to help visually enlarge the whole space.
A deeply muted green paint was selected to connect on either side of the shower to allow your eye to continue to easily move around the space. All of the elements within the space are connected through color, pattern and texture.
The old-world, vintage-white hex stone with subtle orange veining helps to tie in with the warm natural birch coloring found in the cabinetry.
Arranged in a ticking stripe pattern, it evokes classic country fabric, striped beach towels, or even stormy waves on the lake.
Lume 2x9 tile: Ames Tile and Stone
Creating Atmosphere
with Nighttime Light
Reimagining the Forest Walk After Dark
Inspired by the late night walks to the outhouse, where a single flashlight or headlamp would light up the path ahead and the darkness and dead silence of the forest [makes you a little/lot nervous] is signaling sleep is near [so you better move fast and get back to the cabin NOW and btw what was that sound?…],
I was inspired to incorporate a lighting scheme that would pay homage to the past’s nightly trek, but with a more modern, civil and peaceful spin to it.
Low Light in the Night
Soft, dimmable corner lighting turned out to be the perfect fit.
It helps to keep that calm, low-energy mood when you wander in half-asleep, and it feels a lot more intentional than a little plug-in night light on the counter.
Showering by Lantern Light
And then there’s the nighttime shower.
After a long day outside—maybe chopping wood, biking, or sitting by the lake—it’s a treat to step under warm water with nothing but the soft glow of a kerosene-style lantern filling the room.
It’s quiet, peaceful, and just a little romantic.
