Greetings, EHD readers! It’s a pleasure to formally introduce myself to you. You may have seen my photography work, witnessed the transformations of my basement, bedroom, and living room with Emily’s guidance, and caught glimpses of me during team retreats. I prefer to stay behind the camera rather than in front of it. Although I’m not officially part of the EHD team, it has been a delightful experience being involved with this group.
In 2021, my family and I relocated from the Eastside of Portland to the Westside in search of more space, a larger yard, and a slower lifestyle. It’s a typical move that many young parents make to the suburbs. Around the same time, a mutual friend introduced me to Emily. The Hendersons’ rental house, while their farmhouse was being renovated, was in my neighborhood. Emily and I hit it off, and despite her no longer living nearby, we remain just a short 7-minute drive apart. It’s been a wonderful partnership and friendship over the past few years.
Emily has previously shared some details about our home, but as a quick recap, it was built in 1962, and we are the second owners. The previous owners made some questionable updates, likely in the 90s or early 2000s. When we moved in, we embarked on a significant remodel that involved painting everything white initially. With Emily’s help, we have gradually infused more color and character into our home.
Bathroom Renovations
While we made significant changes early on, budget constraints forced us to put bathroom renovations on hold. We knew that these spaces would require attention eventually, but for the time being, we had to make do with what we had.
Primary Bathroom
Our primary bathroom, as it looked when we purchased the house, remained virtually unchanged for four years until our recent decision to renovate. Despite its flaws—such as an off-center light fixture, stubborn shower tile grout, and peeling linoleum flooring—I resisted the temptation to invest in temporary fixes. The small size of the bathroom, coupled with the luxury of having an en suite, made the decision to delay renovations easier. However, the time has come to address these issues, and we are finally moving forward with the remodel.
Here are some additional photos before the demolition began:
Kids’ Bathroom
Adjacent to our bathroom is my daughters’ equally outdated yet luxurious bathroom. Despite its flaws, it’s a space where I’ve spent more time than my own bathroom due to bath times, play sessions, and school morning routines. The decision to delay updates in this space was driven by the belief that the time and resources required for minor improvements were not justified.
Given the limited space in both bathrooms, expanding the footprint wasn’t a viable option. However, we are focused on enhancing functionality and aesthetics with the help of Miss Henderson.
AllModern approached Emily for a collaboration a few months ago, presenting us with an opportunity to initiate the long-awaited updates. Their bathroom product range—ranging from vanities to lighting to plumbing—offered a convenient solution for our renovation needs.
Truth be told, bathroom design isn’t my forte. The permanence of design decisions often leaves me indecisive. However, a chance encounter with a friend’s bathroom post led me to discover BAINA towels, inspiring the color scheme for our primary bathroom remodel.
Once the color palette was finalized, the rest of the design elements fell into place. From a stunning white oak vanity to light blue square tiles for the floors and shower, the renovation concept began to take shape.
I also made decisions regarding the kids’ bathroom with relative ease. Opting for a vanity that would transcend their current age and a playful yet timeless tile pattern, the design elements were selected to cater to their evolving tastes.
We are excited to see the transformation take place as the renovation progresses. Stay tuned for the final reveal in the weeks to come!
Opening Image Credits: Photo by Kaitlin Green | From: Kaitlin’s 70s Inspired, Colorful And Cool Living Room Revealed (Y’all, I’m So Jealous)