Serene & Polished Bathroom Renovation
in an old North Vancouver Home

Professional Photography: Kristen McGaughey Photography

Design: Go To Your Room Interior Decorating and Design

Contractor: G.V. Renovation

A Complete Bathroom Renovation Journey from

Discovery to Transformation

This bathroom renovation transformed a once-dated, beige space—untouched for over 20 years—into a calm and timeless retreat.

Designed for a North Vancouver bungalow home, the updated bathroom features a soothing palette of soft green, watery blue, with white and cream neutrals, layered with thoughtful custom details, including an embroidered linen shower curtain and custom shelving.

The result is a refreshed space that feels both serene and quietly distinctive, offering both style and function to all of the zones within the small space—ultimately making this small space feel much larger.

From Bland to Beautiful…

A late 1950s dated bungalow bathroom entry. The door is open and there is very little light coming in. The floor are square 12x12 tiles and the vanity counter is a bold teal green color. Everything else is off-white and not inviting.

Before: Bathroom Entrance

After image of a late 1950s bathroom renovated in a bungalow house in North Vancouver, BC. The new bathroom entry reveals new recessed ceiling light, a new fan to help with moisture in a bathroom and overall it is a warm white and soft green vanity.

After: Bathroom Entrance

Not Just Dated, this Old Bathroom was Timeworn and Uninspiring

From a rusted sink, to lack of light, peeling paint, to a very interesting DIY solution… this bathroom was worn out and in dire need of an update.

An original bathroom sink is outlined with rust where it meets the old laminate counter top

A dated bathroom light fixture with clear globe balls has one light working, out of 4. The mirror below looks like it is from Snow White's evil stepmother: oval mirror with a detailed cream frame.

Damaged paint on ceiling of this bathroom. The wrong paint was applied over an original oil paint. The result is peeling paint, reminiscent of craters on the moon.

A bathroom vanity counter is too large to fit into the area for the vanity, and so the doorframe has been cut for the counter to slide into it. It looks ridiculous. DIY renovation gone bad.

Original Bathroom Vanity in

Dire Need of an Update

A very worn and dated bathroom vanity from the late 1950s looks ugly and worn. The backsplash is from the 1990s and is dated. The vanity mirror above is small on the wall and the vanity light above the mirror only has one light out of four working.

This late 1950s bathroom vanity no longer was salvageable and needed replacing

Beige shower tile in a shower with a chrome shower head, shower wand and rod installed. A dated look. The tile is likely from the late 1990s era.

Dated shower tile that was never liked

A none working vanity light (one bulb is on out of 4 bulbs) and the oval mirror is small with a traditional frame. The mirror is reflecting a white shower curtain, white shower rod, lowered ceiling and beige tile. It is a very plain looking bathroom.

Shower curtain reflecting in the vanity mirror

The client first approached Go To Your Room with a request for helping them with updating their bathroom, mainly the deteriorating vanity area and ceiling paint.

And as much as the client was not in love with the shower tile, they were not fully ready (financially and emotionally) to do a complete ovehaul of the bathroom. At this point in the process, their budget expectation was not fully aligned with what a full bathroom renovation in North Vancouver would entail.

Therefore, in order to update the space within their initial budget scope, we suggested instead, a decorating splurge: opt for a beautiful, custom shower curtain that would be reflected in the (new) mirror and essentially hide the unsightly tile.

The homeowner loved this idea—especially once we determined the fabric for this solution (see below).

After Image of a bathroom reno that used a grey-green vanity. It also includes three woven baskets on the left bank of drawers. As well a beautiful, large vanity mirror with an arch on top and a thin gold frame which adds warmth to the all white room

Custom Shower Curtain

—a Creative and Luxurious Solution

to Update a Bathroom

Hilary Farr Drapery Fabric Ivy Embroidered Cream Linen with Silver Sage Embroidered Petals for Covington

Cream colored linen fabric with embroidered petals in soft blues and sage greens with a raised vine outline.

At the initial Consultation, we had discussed with the client what the feeling of this newly updated bathroom would be for them—essentially revealed as very calm and serene, coincidence or not, the very personality of the homeowner. A gentle individual with a kind heart. Very much a giver.

There are many shower curtains available on the market, but as an interior decorating business, Go To Your Room offers clients more than your “everyday solutions” found at local or online retailers.

Off to our trade suppliers, we found a variety of fabrics offering the spa green/blue vibe our client initially indicated as their preferred color to be included in the new design.

Presenting the fabric options to our client, they were immediately drawn to the luxurious creamy linen fabric with soft blue and green petals embroidered throughout.

This would be the jumping off point to the rest of the design…which would eventually grow in scope and investment, as the client was now starting to see how this bathroom update was becoming tailored to their very specific needs, desires and aesthetic.

Covington Ivy Embroidered Drapery Fabric in Silver Sage and a white door with a new Explore Hardware Seychelles Gold and Crystal round privacy door hardware

Luxurious linen fabric with gentle flowing vines evoke a sense of calm and pairs nicely with gold accents found in the updated elegant privacy door knob.

Ethereal Quartz Counters

and Polished Nickel Transitional Fixtures

Vicostone’s Esmeralda quartz counters features an ethereal billowing fog pattern.

In addition to the luxurious fabric choice, the homeowner shunned away from the standard builder choice of grey and white marbled quartz and modern terrazzo speckled counters. The selection they gravitated to was the newly released Vicostone “Esmeralda” which evokes a tranquil foggy mist of grey, beige, white, and green.

Now with the custom linen shower curtain selection and quartz counter firmly decided upon, Go To Your Room naturally proposed a beautiful polished nickel fixture, knowing that client wanted calmness throughout.

As material selections began to narrow in choice—and grow in costs—it was becoming clear that although this client had lived for MANY years with a very basic and worn bathroom, they still had very high tastes.

A conversation was needed to ensure we were going down the right path of selections and investment. Specifically…are we going to install a custom shower curtain, luxurious quartz counters and elegant polished nickel fixtures….and still keep the old shower tile and bathtub?

Riobel’s Momenti polished nickel bathroom sink faucet with two handles for hot and cold. The faucet is arc'd with a nice curve.

Riobel’s Momenti fixture in a polished nickel was an elegant choice for this updated bathroom.

Scope Creep in a Bathroom Renovation

There were still other areas within the bathroom that needed addressing, other than just the vanity… the lack of light, the moisture, lack of storage and the unused real estate in the toilet area.

Ugly Bathroom Before with dated tile, bulkhead and peeling paint

Ugly bathroom with peeling paint due to excessive moisture because there was no fan in this old bathroom. Also, acrylic paint applied over an old oil based paint makes it peel.

Hand towel in a dated bathroom takes up wall space where a proper towel rack could go.

Ugly bathroom with peeling paint and washed out color. Blank walls leave this space looking unattractive.

Modern Shower Design Updates Provide a Sense of Luxury to this Full Bathroom Renovation in North Vancouver

Enlarging the Bathroom through

Vertical Height and Added Light

Before image of a dated and plain bathtub and shower area in a late 1950s home. Plain beige and cream colors make it look depressing and uninviting. The ceiling is lowered and makes it feel small.

Shower Before….

Once we began discussing tile colours, we gently encouraged the client to step outside their long-standing comfort zone of cream, beige, and white—neutrals that had defined their space for many years. The result was a shower design that felt fresh and exciting, and ultimately became a thrilling change for them.

In addition to the tile update and new plumbing, the contractor proposed removing the bulkhead. While the idea of adding a ceiling light initially felt a bit extravagant, once the renovation was complete and the client began using the space, it quickly proved its value. The light is not overpowering; instead, it beautifully brightens the shower area and enhances the overall feel of the bathroom.

After image of a newly renovated bathtub and shower. Soft green spa-like colored rectangular tiles are in a modern stacked pattern. The shower niche is small at the end and is framed in quartz with a quartz shelf and white penny tile on the back.

Shower After….

Polished Nickel Bathroom Fixtures offer Luxury and Calm

For this client’s shower fixtures, we chose polished nickel accents to subtly elevate the space. Polished nickel offers a gentle warmth—it’s less showy than brass and softer in tone than chrome, striking a beautiful balance between elegance and restraint.

This choice also aligned perfectly with the client’s personal style, adding a refined finish that feels both timeless and tasteful.

Riobel Momenti Polished Nickel shower kit in a modern bathtub and shower combo. The background shows a scrub brush with a white rubber duckie soap sitting on it. Sourced through Norburn Lighting and Bath.

Transitional style polished nickel tub spout

Quartz Niche and White Penny Tile Combo

Every modern shower renovation benefits from a thoughtfully designed niche to discreetly house bottles and soaps.

The penny tile introduces a touch of circular whimsy, breaking up the strong vertical lines of the stacked shower tile and quartz surround, and adding visual interest within the small space.

Gorgeous shower niche uses Vicostone's Esmeralda Quartz as the border and a shelf. The back of the shower niche uses white penny tile and the shower niche sits in the wall surrounded with vertical stacked rectangular soft green tile from Ames Tile.

Sage green tile with a pop of white penny tile connect cohesively with the Vicostone “Esmeralda” quartz trim and shelf

Duo Towel Rack Functionality in

Keeping with Tradition

A Pair of Polished Nickel Towel Racks Offers More Functionality and Wall Space to Display Some Art

Newly renovated and fully decorated bathroom shows hand towel hanging near the mirror and vanity while around the corner is an ocean art with two polished nickel towel racks and green and cream towels hanging. The window has a linen roman shade.

Hand and Towel Racks After….

Ugly bathroom wall is pale and mottled. The towel racks are not using the space fully and there is no art above. It is dull and uninspiring.

Hand and Towel Racks Before….

Continuing to elevate this renovated bathroom, the homeowner loved the idea to incorporate artwork above the towel racks to complete the wall as a functional and visually layered vignette. The combination of curated art, polished hardware, and soft, textured towels adds warmth and intention to the overall bathroom design.

Go To Your Room Interior Decorating and Design sourced a wood panel–printed, vintage-inspired art piece that complements the serene green, white, and cream colour palette while introducing subtle visual movement. The choppy sea and expansive sky create a calming focal point that enhances the sense of relaxation within the space.

Vintage Seascape Wall Art - 18x24 custom ordered and printed by Timberlea from Canada

Custom-ordered to fit the wall perfectly, the artwork adds a touch of nature to the bathroom and reinforces the tranquil, spa-like atmosphere. The coastal imagery evokes memories of summer getaways to nearby Vancouver Island, connecting the interior design to the beauty and calm of West Coast living.

Rejuvenation Ladd 18" Towel Bar, Polished Nickel

A polished nickel Hughes hook from Rejuvenation is positioned up high on a narrow wall right beside the shower for easy access to hang your robe or towel.

Curves are Trending…

and they also Help to Soften a Space

Large Curved Mirror

Provides an Arched Doorway Effect

Early in the consultation process, it became clear that the client was not interested in using wallpaper as a decorative feature, while still remaining open to soft colour and subtle pattern.

To maintain a serene overall feel, the design direction shifted toward incorporating a generously scaled mirror that would reflect the soft green stacked shower tile and ivy-vine shower curtain, allowing these elements to be enjoyed from multiple vantage points throughout the room.

A large, curved mirror with a brass frame was selected to occupy much of the otherwise understated wall. The warm brass finish was then echoed in smaller details—such as the door hardware and shower hooks—creating a cohesive and thoughtfully layered palette.

Bathroom After renovation. Chantilly Bathroom Vanity Savoy House 8-1745-3-109, Vicostone Esmeralda Vanity Counter, Eucalyptus green Vanity cabinet by Backbone Cabinet Solutions in North Vancouver. Wicker removeable drawers for easy access.

The new vanity wall sconce would be raised about 8” in order to allow the new large curved mirror to be centred (perfectly) vertically within the backsplash the light.

Ugly and dated bathroom shows broken vanity light fixture and a mirror that is too small for the wall. Green countertop and old sink. In desperate need of an update.

The old mirror had a medicine cabinet behind it, but with the improved vanity storage, we no longer needed to keep this feature.

Custom Curved Oak

Floating Shelves

A narrow wall behind a toilet is freshened up with a painted blue wall in Sherwin Williams Eventide SW 9643 from the Emerald Designer Edition. Also custom shelves, plants and artwork make this hidden space more interesting and inviting.

Simple but thought out design provides more interest and function in the small bathroom

One of the final design moments in this reimagined bathroom focused on bringing interest to the tucked-away area behind the shower— home to the “toilet”— and often overlooked in many layouts.

Rather than leaving this zone purely functional, we identified an opportunity to layer in visual interest through thoughtfully considered shelving, art and decorative accents.

Ugly and dated bathroom toilet area is bland and boring and hidden behind the shower. Mottled and dirty looking white paint, white toilet, white window and off white square floor tiles, this space looks scary.

Toilet cove area offered an opportunity to use the vertical space available

Add Shelves Above the Toilet Area

to Maximize the Space

Two offset, curved floating shelves were custom designed by Go To Your Room to echo the curvature of the vanity mirror, creating a subtle sense of continuity throughout the space. Positioned above the toilet, the shelves provide a dedicated place to display art and decor while enhancing the overall composition of the room.

A warm wood stain was selected to introduce a grounding element within the predominantly white and cream palette. The soft blue wall colour was chosen to quietly connect with the green tones found elsewhere in the bathroom, without repeating them exactly.

Custom designed bathroom shelving from North Vancouver, BC. Offset is height, the long shelf and short shelf overlap by about 2inches, but are spaced 8inches apart in height.

Two curved floating shelves are offset in height and length to provide some visual interest.

Millwork: Bowen Renovation and Restoration

To complete the vignette, a punchy pastel artwork in peach and pink by local artist Kirn Gill, was carefully selected to add a hint of femininity and draw the eye all the way to the back of the room, essentially helping to visually enlarge the space.