There are some rooms that are just dated. And then there are rooms that are dated and architecturally confusing.
This primary bathroom renovation in Bergen County, NJ was very much both.
The space was large, but it did not feel luxurious. It had an awkward angled ceiling that dominated the room in all the wrong ways, a shower that felt undersized relative to the footprint, and a toilet room layout that was not doing the space any favors. Like many older bathrooms, it had square footage to spare, but not nearly enough intention behind how that square footage was being used.
Our goal with this Franklin Lakes bathroom remodel was to give the room a complete refresh while also making it function far better for the homeowners long term, while also appealing to a future potential buyer. We wanted it to feel beautiful, thoughtful, and calm – but also smarter, more comfortable, and more supportive of how they will live in the years ahead.
Solving the awkward ceiling with architectural detail
One of the biggest challenges in this large primary bathroom remodel was the ceiling.
It had a dramatic angle that made the room feel visually off-balance, and because so much attention was pulled upward, the entire space felt slightly disconnected. Rather than pretend it was not there, we chose to lean in and make it an intentional feature of the design.
We applied decorative trim to the ceiling in a custom oversize lattice-like pattern, which gave that upper plane much more presence and purpose. It added weight, structure, and a sense of architectural richness that had been completely missing before. What was once one of the strangest elements in the room is now one of the details that makes it feel the most special.
This is a hallmark of design and problem solving at TG – we love to figure out a way to embrace an odd condition and make it feel like it was always part of the plan.
Reworking the layout to make the room live better
As pretty as a finished bathroom may be, layout is what really determines whether it feels good to use every day.
In this Franklin Lakes primary bathroom renovation, we enlarged the shower footprint so it felt more generous and in proportion with the size of the room. We also reconfigured the toilet room, aligning it with the new shower room, and gave it a frosted glass door – improving the overall flow and sharing natural light between spaces.
These changes may not be the flashiest part of the project at first glance, but they are the kind of decisions that completely change how a room functions. The new layout feels more natural, more spacious, and far more in line with what you want from a primary bath.
Sometimes the right color needs context
We will never forget the panicked call we got when the custom vanities and tub surround were delivered. The homeowner was convinced that what was supposed to be blue was, very clearly, gray. And to be fair, when viewed in isolation, without the surrounding tile, marble, lighting, and layered finishes in place, it can be surprisingly difficult to read a nuanced color correctly. (One reason that designers hate having clients “check in” on job sites on their own!)
We assured him, more than once, that once the cabinetry was installed and visible alongside the rest of the materials, the blue would absolutely reveal itself. And we promised that if it didn’t, we’d fix it.
But, sure enough: it did.
Looking at the finished space now, it is unmistakably blue – soft, elegant, and exactly the right note for the room. It is also a perfect example of how tricky colors, especially blues, can be – color rarely lives alone.
Read more about our favorite light blue paint colors.
Designing with aging in place in mind
Another important part of this bathroom remodel in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey was designing for ease and longevity.
We created a tub deck that allows the homeowners to get in and out of the tub more easily, with aging in place thoughtfully considered as part of the design. That was an important priority for this family, and it is one we feel strongly should be approached with as much beauty as practicality. We also strategically placed jets above the shower bench to ‘massage’ achey backs in just the right places.
A dramatic before and after
The before photos show a bathroom that felt stuck in time: oversized but underwhelming. The after photos tell a very different story.
