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Jennifer Sergent

Freelance design writer + blogger | Marketing copywriter

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Guest Post: Marika Meyer

June 16, 2016

Home improvement should be fun—unless it’s brought on by an unpleasant discovery such as leaking or rotting behind the walls. When it happened to a talented designer like Marika Meyer, however, she turned it into an opportunity. Here she is to tell the tale:

Marika

Our master bathroom was the only room in the house that I had not touched since we moved in. I knew some day it would need to be updated, but I did not realize that the joists under the shower and toilet were completely rotted. Luckily, when our toilet broke, my contractor found the rot quickly and we jumped into a full-blown renovation. As the mother of two small boys, the idea of sharing a bathroom for any extended period of time was not too appealing, so I sprang into action making selections. Because this all happened the day before taxes were due, I had to make all of this happen with speed AND on a tight budget. Let the games begin!

I frequently design bathrooms for clients so making selections was easy and I had a good idea of what materials were in stock. These are pictures of the before. It had not been updated since the ‘90s and was truly an homage to brass:

MM-before1

 

MM-before3

Even though the remodel came as a surprise, I was thrilled to say goodbye to this space! I came home from the first day of demo and already things were looking better (at least the hideous door and old tile were gone!)

MM-construction

Progress shots—goodbye Aqua!

MM-construction2

And a glimpse of the future—I choose a simple white subway tile with polished-nickel fixtures for a fresh, modern feel.

MM-construction3

Finally–the finished room! My favorite elements are the newly opened shower stall and seamless glass enclosure. By following the roofline, we added height to the shower and the room feels much larger.

MM-after1

I found this reasonably priced Carrara marble in a herringbone tile for the floor and inside the shower. The contractor found matching marble for the thresholds and shower opening. I kept the existing custom vanity, but had the contractor paint it crisp white and add new hardware.

MM-tile

New light fixtures replaced the old movie-set brass ones without sacrificing light, and voila! Our master bath has a new lease on life.

MM-lights

Filed Under: Designers, Kitchen/Bath Tagged With: Guest Post, Marika Meyer

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Garden State Soapstone says

    July 24, 2016 at 4:56 pm

    The Carrara marble tile adds a unique and beautiful look to the bathroom. Nice work.

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Jan 13

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The amazing thing about the #uscapitol is that we enjoy the same beauty as the generations before us. Our fashions might change, but not the glorious encaustic tile, gilded mirrors or the clover-like pendant lights in the Senate Press Gallery. Swipe to see the modern version, shot by @ronbluntphoto. 
Full post in my bio link!
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Jan 12

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With the help of photographers like @adam_brockett who took this glowy halo around the #uscapitol, and my friends who know and cherish that building, here’s a love letter, blog link in bio
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Jan 7

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Memories of the late-night lines to see George H.W. Bush lying in state. Thousands of peaceful mourners waiting to pass through the Rotunda of this majestic Capitol.
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Jan 6

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May your passage through 2021 be delightful! Grateful to clients like @mode4architecture for sharing so much beauty 🌱💚 
📷 @studiohdp
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Dec 12

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CONGRATULATIONS to Michele Lerner for her award from the Nation Association of Real Estate Editors on a @washingtonpost story about bringing the outdoors inside, which features our bathroom renovation by @aidandesign ! The judges wrote: “She finds the perfect couple to illustrate the theme of her story. They lie by a nature trail, so they wanted to add natural stone to the shower.” Great story Michele, and it was a pleasure to speak to you! 
Story linked in bio
📷 @stacyzaringoldberg
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Dec 10

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So thrilled to be working with a new client, Michigan design firm @arminainteriors. I just love how luminous her work is, and her use of dramatic light fixtures. Enjoy!
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Nov 20

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Welcome to DC Mayor @murielbowser's home, where designer Trystin Kier Francis of @thekiercompany painted this chest purple with gold hardware. Regal, just like the mayor, Trystin told me. I agree! Full story at the link in my bio.
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Oct 6

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Is anyone else in need of some calm right now? Take me away, @m.naeve! 
(For more #kipsbaydallas escapism, link in bio 🖤)
📷 @stephen_karlisch_photo
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Oct 2

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@markdsikes does it again at #kipsbaydallas with this dreamy living room, Happy Friday! 
Link to more images and virtual tour in bio
📷 @stephen_karlisch_photo
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Oct 1

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I ADORE this sweet mudroom by @erinsander at #kipsbaydallas. Photos and link to virtual tour on the blog, link in bio 🖤
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Sep 30

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Now on the blog: a tour of #kipsbaydallas with sumptuous images like this one of a Jackie Kennedy-inspired lady’s study by @janshowers. Link in bio! 
📷 @stephen_karlisch_photo
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Sep 27

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Sunset at our @acorndeckhouse, photo by Chal Sergent
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DC by Design is my passion project, a chronicle of design talents throughout the DC-Maryland-Virginia region who are doing beautiful and imaginative things in the categories below. Click here for blog information and guidelines.

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