Accent on Accessibility

This Vadnais Heights remodel demonstrates that accessibility really can have universal appeal. 

The original bathroom was awkward and felt cluttered. The couple wanted the new bath to look nice, suit them as they age in place, and accommodate their wheelchair-using son Jordan, when he visits with his family.

Accessible tub, toilet and door

We replaced the hard-to-reach, jetted corner tub with a smaller rectangular Kohler soaking tub. It conserves water, features a long grab bar and is much easy to navigate. The comfort-height Kohler toilet has both vertical and horizontal grab bars.  The new, six-panel bathroom door is  2-in. wider than before and fitted with offset hinges that add even more clearance for the wheelchair. 

Comfort height toilet with grab bars
Before
Soaking tub with grab bars
Before
Door offset hinges

Full-feature shower

We created the porcelain mosaic tile floor, roll-in shower room with both the clients and their son in mind. It features a frameless glass door within a solid quartz jamb and curb-free  pan.  The 6-position Delta shower controls at the bench can direct water from the high showerhead, the low showerhead and hand shower individually or in combination.

We wanted the bench user to have a proper shower soaking experience when sitting back on the bench if desired, along with the convenience of a hand held. So, we installed a lower showerhead and a hand shower there. The hand shower adjustable wall bracket also doubles as a grab bar. While ADA guidelines are useful in public spaces, we customize residential baths for the actual users. It’s important to consider body type, mobility, reach and strength when positioning grab bars. If someone’s left arm is stronger or their right shoulder is weaker, we mount the bars  to provide the best comfort and support. In this case we got critical measurements such as height, width of the chair and any unique requirements.

Shower bench with multi function shower outlets
Classic design with grab bar and niche wall
Roll in flush shower with privacy enclosure
Roll in flush shower with privacy enclosure

Reused original vanity

We removed and repainted the long, double vanity and fitted it with an Ice White quartz top, new hardware and Kohler fixtures.  The quartz repeats at the knee wall, niche and shower jamb. The porcelain tile floor is equipped with Nu-Heat  in-floor heat for comfort and quick drying.  We enhanced both task lighting and ambient lighting throughout. We also squared the angled closet wall to make more room for the toilet, without sacrificing usable space in the closet. 

Vanity mirrors and linen closet
Double vanity with elegant mirrors and lights
Original vanity and lighting

Home away from home

Although he doesn’t get to enjoy it as often, Jordan appreciates the new bathroom as much as his parents and had us do some work on his own home.

“We had some unique circumstances that required extra planning and targeted execution. Phil was really good about communicating. He was conscientious and thorough to ensure our wants and needs were fully understood. His team was professional in every respect and we are happy with the quality of the work,” he said.

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Pinterest Inspired Her Bath Oasis

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The ultimate measure of any remodel’s success rests on one thing: Are the homeowners happy? On that basis, Joan and Paul’s Eden Prairie master bath is a five-star, platinum level outcome.  “I’m still at the stage where I just go in there and look around and go , ‘Wow.’ It’s the nicest room I have ever had in my life. I feel so lucky to have it,” Joan said. Best of all, the project was completed for Christmas as promised.

Joan credits Wise Design President Philip Hide, who personally designed, priced and managed the bath project. However, she also cites his online project management tools for the positive remodeling experience. Wise Design uses the latest interactive software to share communications, budgets, schedules and files. The online portal ensures clients  keep informed and can collaborate efficiently from design and budgeting through production. 

“We loved the way we could view contracts, approve change orders, post photos, send messages and see the day to day schedule,” Joan said.  “We found ourselves logging onto the portal multiple times a week.” 

Pinterest inspirations

Joan is a self-described “Pinterest Girl.”  She shared countless photos with Philip to help him visualize what she liked.  “I  would say, ‘Got another Pinterest bath picture.’ And he would translate it into reality. It was a conversation back and forth. He would come back with, “What do you think about trying this? It’s going to end up like you want, but we need to do it a little differently to make it work.”

Meanwhile, Phil tapped his North London remodeling experience for special touches to enhance Joan’s vision. “In the beginning I had to learn his (European) terms, but he would steer me toward cool things you might see in a London home,” Joan said.

Shower niches
Large built-in linen
Serafina soaking tub
His & Hers storage towers
View of built in closet

A few of her favorite things

Joan loves her 67-in. free-standing Serafina soaking tub. It is not just a beautiful design focal point; It gets regular use. She also is pleased that Phil was about to create a private water closet. “Everything looks so nice. I didn’t want a toilet to ruin the aesthetics,” she explained.

Although many master baths have dual basins, Joan and Paul felt it was more important to make room for his and hers storage towers with built-in outlets and room for all their stuff. “We seldom get ready at the same time so we didn’t mind sharing a sink,” Joan explained.  “It was more important to have our own storage where we could keep everything handy but out of sight.  And I think one sink is much prettier.”

The couple appreciates the large built-in linen cabinet where the toilet had been in the original bathroom. They helped to control costs by purchasing and assembling  an IKEA PAX Interior organizer for the suite’s master closet. But Phil gave it a custom, built-in look by adding custom crown molding to reflect the bathroom millwork.

Wise is the smart choice for custom bath

“Wise Design’s attention to detail, careful planning, fine craftsmanship and excellent communication made the whole process an enjoyable experience. Phil is amazing. We highly recommend him,” Joan said. 

Phil has remodeled the couple’s kitchen, main bathroom,  master suite, and replaced flooring and siding.  They plan to have him remodel their loft  in the spring.  

Continue ReadingPinterest Inspired Her Bath Oasis