Project Bella Reveal: A Mediterranean Primary Bath
Project Bella holds a special place in my heart. The goal was to create a timeless, spa-like bathroom that embraced Mediterranean influences and San Diego coastal inspiration. This full gut, bathroom renovation was named "Bella," which translates to beautiful in Italian, and let me tell you, it lives up to its name! It is a dreamy, Mediterranean inspired primary bath that captures the essence of relaxation and elegance. Project Bella, with its soft and neutral palette, little pop of color, and intricate details, is an unforgettable redesigned space.
Before + During Bathroom Remodel:
After Bathroom Remodel:
A Mediterranean Spa Retreat Primary Bath
From the start, my clients envisioned a bathroom that was undeniably pretty and incorporated a pop of green. We began with the foundation—flooring and cabinet paint color. The stunning Evergreen Fog by Sherwin Williams graced the cabinets, while the flooring took center stage with the concrete brick "rice" by Arto Brick installed in a herringbone pattern. This setting laid the foundation for the spa-like, Mediterranean vibes we envisioned. The soft color of the cabinets provides the perfect balance to the light and timeless style of the bathroom, creating a dreamy, tranquil atmosphere.
Custom Features
As the design progressed, the focal point of the door demanded something exceptional. A standard door wouldn't suffice; it needed to be unique to tie in with the style and feel of the bathroom. A custom arch door proved to be the perfect detail to bring the entire space together, completely elevating this primary bathroom. While this custom door did cause a few headaches along the way, in the end, it was all worth it! Adding a beautiful door knob further enhanced the elegance of this feature.
To continue the design flow, hours of research was spent trying to find the perfect mirrors to hang above the vanity. The search was successful, because the stunning, wooden arch mirrors compliment the door and the space flawlessly.
Timeless Tiles
We adorned the shower with soft porcelain tiles featuring white and gray shadows, extending from the shower wall to the vanity wall and behind the bathtub. Though initially overwhelming, the vision came to life once the tiles were grouted. This is common with projects that have a lot of tile. However, once grouted clients understand the design decision, as was the case for Project Bella. While initially uncertain during construction, my clients were ecstatic with the final results! I will admit, this is a moment that I have to hold my breath as a designer. I understand trusting the process is hard and things don’t always look pretty during the construction process, but when it all comes together, the result is stunning. As you can see in Project Bella, the seamless blend of tiles contributed to the bathroom's overall beauty and cohesiveness.
In addition, the shower received an upgrade with the talented contractor, Kevin Bennett’s, idea to raise the shower pan instead of using a traditional dam. This clever innovation not only added visual interest but also contributed to the overall functionality and sophisticated design. Clear glass doors leading into the large standing shower finished off this gorgeous shower remodel.
Bathroom Finishes + Details
A thin shaker door style and inset face frame vanities introduced a touch of class to the bathroom. The resulting cabinets became one of my favorite features, reflecting a perfect marriage of timeless elegance and contemporary aesthetics.
To tie the look together, we mixed brass and oil-rubbed bronze finishes. Blending hardware finishes is pretty and a fun detail that brings character to the space. I often incorporate multiple finishes in hardware and plumbing fixtures when styling spaces, as it creates a harmonious blend of elements that enriches the overall design and feel of a space.
Mediterranean + Coastal San Diego Style
The final stage of the project involved styling the space to bring it to life. Earthy wood elements, Turkish towels, and carved wood trays were introduced to infuse texture and warmth. A soft, white wicker chandelier delicately suspended above the bathtub became the subtle and balanced fixture that united the entire room. Rounding out the finishing details were delicate rugs and fresh stems that seamlessly brought the outdoors in, elevating the spa-like experience.
Project Bella is a gorgeous space that perfectly captures the mediterranean style and relaxing vibe my clients wanted. The Project Bella team did a remarkable job bringing my clients’ vision of a Mediterranean spa retreat, with a touch of San Diego coastal inspiration, come to life. Looking at the finished space brings me so much joy, especially knowing that now my clients have a space they can go to relax in their home. However, what I love even more than this beautiful space is the friendship I gained. My sweet clients quickly became close friends during the remodel process, which is one aspect I love most about being a designer, cultivating lifelong friendships.
Project Bella Team:
General Contractor: Kevin Bennett with San Marcos Wood Products
Custom Cabinetry: San Marcos Wood Products
Tile: Tile Collective
Plumbing: Fergusons
Paint Grade Cabinetry: Evergreen Fog by Sherwin Williams
Mirrors: West Mirrors