Primary Bathroom: A Design That's Rooted in History
- Janene Neely
- 4 hours ago
- 3 min read
Let’s talk bathrooms, specifically, our primary bathroom! If you’ve ever tried to design a space that balances modern convenience with old-school charm, you’ll know it’s no small feat. This room has kept me on my toes, from puzzling over the layout to choosing finishes that feel both timeless and functional. But hey, who doesn’t love a good challenge, right?
I’m so excited to share where we’re headed with this space. It’s full of details I hope will inspire you!

The Vision: A Design that Feels Original
Here’s the thing: while I love the idea of shiny new finishes and sleek upgrades, it’s so important to me that this renovation feels like it could have been part of the original house. I’m all about blending modern amenities with a nod to our home’s Craftsman roots.
Think stained wood finishes, marble accents, and timeless touches like a cast iron clawfoot tub. (Seriously, this tub deserves its own fan club!) The vibe? Warm, inviting, and just fancy enough to feel special but still grounded in history.
The Layout: Finding Function
Now, let me tell you, landing on a layout wasn’t exactly smooth sailing. With the staircase smack in the center of the house, which limited our options, we had to get creative to make the space work. After much back and forth with our architect (and a tiny bit of whining on my part), we landed on a wet room.
Confession time: wet rooms aren’t usually my thing. They lean more modern than my usual style. But in this case, it was the smartest use of space. So, challenge accepted! My goal now is to make it feel intentional and like it totally belongs in our historic Craftsman home.
The layout highlights include:
A soaking tub (finally getting my clawfoot tub back—cue the bath bombs!).
A dual walk-in shower, paired with the tub in the wet room.
A double vanity, because sharing is caring... but so is having your own sink.
A privacy room for the toilet, because this isn't open mic night.

The Materials: The Dream Team
Now, let’s talk finishes, the part where this space really starts to shine. I wanted materials that feel classic, warm, and just a little luxurious:
Marble accents: Because nothing says timeless like marble.
Stained wood: Adds that Craftsman warmth I’m obsessed with.
Cast iron clawfoot tub: I had one in my first bathroom renovation, and parting with it was a tragedy.
Mixed metals: I love the layered look of combining warm and cool tones. It keeps things feeling fresh without being too matchy-matchy.
Mood Board
I’ve pulled together a mood board to give you a sneak peek of the finishes and products we’re planning to use in this space. Spoiler alert: it’s going to be good. Everything is linked, so if you’re hunting for ideas or products for your own bathroom, this is a great place to start.

What’s Next: Building the Dream
This is just the beginning for our primary bathroom. Next up is bringing these ideas to life, and I can’t wait to see it all come together.
Now it’s your turn: Are you team wet room, or would you have done something different with the layout? I’d love to hear your thoughts; whether it’s here, on the blog, or in my Instagram messages. You always have the best ideas!
Until next time…Cheers!
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