Hidden Ceiling Beams Completely Changed This Outdated Bathroom
Original architectural details remained hidden behind years of renovations in this spacious bathroom. Dated finishes, heavy wall tile, and a lowered ceiling concealed the room’s proportions and prevented its period features from standing out.
Instagram creator @botanical_revival documented the renovation, which focused on revealing the building’s structure rather than changing its footprint. Exposed timber beams, marble finishes, oak cabinetry, and unlacquered brass fixtures completely transformed the room while preserving its original layout.
Pink Carpet and Dark Wall Tile Defined the Original Bathroom
Pink wall-to-wall carpet stretched across the entire floor while dark marbled tile wrapped the lower half of the walls beneath pale green paint. Separate fixtures, including a clawfoot bathtub, corner shower, high-level toilet, and dark wood vanity, reflected different periods and finishes instead of a unified design language.
Large sash windows already provided generous daylight and the room offered far more space than a typical bathroom. Despite those advantages, heavy decorative borders, dated materials, and scattered fixtures drew attention away from the room’s proportions and architectural potential.
Exposed Ceiling Beams Became the Defining Feature
Removing the flat ceiling revealed the full height of the attic and introduced substantial exposed timber beams across the room. Their natural texture adds visual weight overhead while emphasizing the original roof structure instead of concealing it behind drywall.
Freestanding bathtub now sits beneath the windows where natural light reaches both ends of the room. White marble flooring, a darker stone border, and soft neutral walls allow the timber ceiling to remain the strongest architectural feature without overwhelming the space.
Brass Pendants Replaced Conventional Vanity Lighting
Tall cylindrical pendants hang beside the mirror instead of using a standard fixture above it. Their vertical placement frames the mirror while producing balanced illumination across the vanity without casting harsh shadows.
Small brass spotlights mounted directly onto the ceiling beams provide discreet accent lighting from above. Matching finishes between the pendants and beam-mounted fixtures create a consistent lighting scheme that connects the ceiling with the rest of the bathroom.
Traditional Materials Modernized the Vanity Area
Bleached oak cabinetry softens the surrounding marble with natural grain and understated detailing. Wall-mounted brass faucets free the countertop while allowing the stone backsplash to remain uninterrupted behind the basin.
Vertical tile wainscoting introduces subtle texture without competing with the larger marble surfaces. Hidden LED lighting tucked beneath the trim washes the upper edge of the tile, creating a soft glow that highlights the wall detailing after dark.
Walk-In Shower Replaced the Bulky Corner Enclosure
Frameless glass replaced the enclosed shower cabin with an open walk-in layout that allows daylight to move through the room. Vertical white tile extends to the ceiling while marble caps the half wall and shower bench.
Open sightlines make the bathroom appear considerably longer than before. Limiting visible metal framing keeps attention on the stone, tile, and exposed beams instead of the shower enclosure itself.
Stone, Oak, and Brass Created Consistent Finishing Details
Dark marble forms a border around the large-format stone floor before transitioning cleanly into wide oak planks outside the bathroom. Using only a few natural materials creates continuity without introducing competing patterns.
Unlacquered brass fixtures with white porcelain handles appear at both the bathtub and shower, reinforcing the period-inspired design. Natural aging across the brass surfaces complements the timber beams and oak cabinetry while giving the renovated bathroom a cohesive finish.
All images are courtesy of @botanical_revival.