Before & After Bath: Creating a Luxurious Primary Bathroom

Privacy is at a premium for parents of young kids, so the bath can become a real refuge. But Kaela and Cason Cusack’s American Foursquare in Indianapolis, built circa 1895, lacked such a haven. While the second floor held two bathrooms, neither served the primary bedroom, requiring the couple to dash across the hall and duck inside, hoping neither of their two little ones would beat them to the punch. “The previous owners had ten children—we can’t imagine how they managed!” Cason says.

Designer Tiffany Skilling’s solution: Snag some square footage from a large, oddly shaped adjoining bedroom to create an en suite. “Fortunately, there was a half bath directly below the area, which simplified the plumbing,” Kaela says. A nearly 6-foot-long shower with a frameless-glass enclosure preserves a feeling of spaciousness in the resulting 9-by-10-foot space, along with a serene palette of pale blue and soft green. Period touches, including wainscoting and a custom white oak vanity, make the bath feel like it’s been there forever. Says Kaela: “We are thrilled to have a calm, classic bath right off our bedroom—one that we don’t have to share with the kids!”

Get the Look

Distinctive forms and finishes lend just enough nuance to help a small bath look and feel unique

1. Ribbed sconce. Linear texture gives the opaque-glass shade extra dimension, while the fixture’s satin nickel finish adds an understated glow. Ridged Austin Bath Sconce, $187; shadesoflight.com – Shades of Light

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