Timeless Bathroom in Summit Hill, St Paul

Vintage Elegance


walk-in shower and wood bathroom vanity

Traveling back in time in Summit Hill

Over time, a bathroom will see trends come and go – think of the infamous avocado bathrooms of the ’70s. Adapting to design trends can be a hassle and expensive. When remodeling, you want it to last for years and have a timeless bathroom appeal. So, like the homeowner of this 1902 Greek Revival-Victorian home in Summit Hill, many opt for a timeless approach. Using new materials to recreate a vintage look and preserve the bathroom’s historical charm now blends seamlessly with the rest of the home. In 2024, NARI of MN awarded this project Silver in the Residential Bath $100,000 to $150,000 category of its annual awards competition.

Before & After

Move the slider to see the transformation of this timeless bathroom.

Walk-In Shower, Ample Vanity Space

We made some changes to the layout to improve the bathroom. These updates contributed to creating a timeless bathroom design. While we kept most things in the same place, we replaced the tub with a walk-in style and added a larger vanity. This meant removing a wall and switching to just one toilet instead of having a toilet and bidet.

Creating Historic Design with Tile

Tile can truly change a room, not just with its different shapes, patterns, and textures, but also with how and where it’s placed. A tile border on the floor goes around the room, while the marble hex field tile sits inset. On the tile wainscotting, traditional subway tile and handmade Clay Squared to Infinity tile accents. This timeless bathroom feels like it could be in a historic building!

Before & After

Move the slider to see the transformation.

Blending Old and New

Drawing inspiration from the bathroom’s original window casing and built-in linen closet, we integrated these timeless details into the overall design. This approach helps maintain a truly timeless bathroom aesthetic, accentuating the beauty and craftsmanship of the wood elements throughout the space.

built in cabinetry with ironing board

Built-In Cabinetry

Here’s a closer look at the existing built-in. Inside, we added a fold-down ironing board and an outlet behind the floor-length mirror, making it convenient for ironing, given the nearby dressing room.

large wood vanity and medicine cabinet

Personal Touches

The stained glass piece above the mirror is from the farmhouse where the homeowner grew up and has a matching one in the adjacent dressing room. It’s backlit to mimic a window. Additionally, there is plenty of storage on both sides of the sink to store beauty care products, toiletries, and anything else they need.

white shower with bench

Daily Escape

For many, stepping into the shower is a daily escape. A built-in bench offers a moment of rest to let the warm water wash away the day’s stress. The half wall allows sunlight to stream in, brightening the shower without sacrificing privacy. This timeless bathroom, with its thoughtful design and serene ambiance, is a sanctuary of relaxation and rejuvenation.

Team Credits

Designer: Katie Post/Amanda Claessens
Project Manager: Tom Claessens
Photos: Troy Theis

Testimonials

Craftsmanship and Judgment

Ben Quie and his team were reliable, honest, creative, and fun. During the project, we knew we could trust Ben’s advice and leadership at every turn. Now, as we enjoy our renovated home, we are grateful every day for Ben Quie & Sons’ craftsmanship and judgment.

~ Eric and Lisa Nicholson