The Project
A full gut renovation of a dated bathroom, stripped to the studs and rebuilt from scratch. The vision was to create a vintage-inspired bathroom that looked like it had always been there — mint green tile walls with black accents, a custom arched tub alcove with built-in shower, matching octagon floor tile with black diamond insets, period-appropriate pedestal sink and toilet, classic chrome fixtures, and a fully restored three-panel wood door.
Every detail was hand-selected to feel authentic to the era while meeting modern building standards. The bathroom features custom-built framing for the arched tub surround, cement board installation for proper waterproofing, and meticulous tile layout to ensure perfect symmetry around the arch.
The result is a sanctuary that feels like it stepped out of a different time — not replicated or artificial, but genuinely period-appropriate and deeply functional.
The Transformation
From Dated to Timeless
The original bathroom was tired — outdated fixtures, worn caulk, dated tile, no character. The plan was ambitious: gut it completely, rebuild from studs, and create something that felt cohesive, intentional, and genuinely beautiful. A bathroom that worked as hard as it looked good.
The client's vision was clear: vintage green. Not trendy, not ironic — authentic. The kind of green that belonged in homes from the 1920s to 1950s. That required sourcing the right materials, understanding period proportions, and executing every detail with precision.
The finished bathroom — vintage green tile with black accents, custom arched tub alcove, octagon floor tile with diamond insets, and period fixtures.
Every tile was placed by hand to maintain perfect symmetry around the arch. When you're working with a curved surface and vintage-style tile, there's no shortcut — it has to be done right. — Fred Beese, Founder
The Process
From Studs to Stunning
A bathroom renovation at this level is about precision and planning. Every element — from the framing of the arched tub surround, to the waterproofing, to the tile layout — had to be executed right the first time. There's no margin for error when you're working with hand-placed tile and custom carpentry.
Demo & Framing
Gutted to studs, rebuilt wall framing including the custom arched alcove for the tub surround. Careful planning for waterproofing and structural integrity.
Waterproofing & Prep
Cement board installation, waterproof membrane application, and careful tile layout planning to ensure perfect symmetry around the arched surround.
Tile Installation
Vintage green field tile on walls with black accent borders. Octagon floor tile with black diamond insets. Arched tub surround tiled to match the design vision.
Fixtures & Finishing
Period pedestal sink, classic toilet, chrome hardware. Restored three-panel wood door. Built-in towel niche. Every detail hand-selected for authenticity.
The renovation process: custom framing for the arched tub surround (left), meticulous tile installation (center), period fixtures taking shape (right).
The Detail
The Arched Tub Surround
The most complex element was the arched tub alcove. Building a curved wall structure in a bathroom requires structural framing that won't move, waterproofing that won't fail, and tile work that maintains perfect symmetry around the curve. The arch had to feel organic, not forced — proportions that would have made sense to a builder from the 1930s.
Custom arched tub surround with vintage green tile and chrome fixtures — the signature element of the bathroom.
Finishing Touches
Period Details & Authenticity
Period authenticity lives in the details. The three-panel door, fully restored and rehung. The pedestal sink with its graceful curves. The octagon floor tile with black diamond insets — a classic bathroom motif from the era. Chrome fixtures chosen for their proportions and finishes. Everything cohesive, everything intentional, nothing accidental.
Restored door and built-in niche (left), tile detail around the arched tub surround (right).
