PROBLEMS: Homeowners had several problems with the original all-white traditional bathroom and closet in their NW Craftsman Portland home. The tub was never used (but needed to be cleaned regularly); white lavatory cabinets (with white tile countertops) had small drawers, bad storage; the existing shower-toilet room could accommodate only one person at a time; the walk-in closet was too small to store the couple’s clothes, shoes, and accessories.

CREATIVE SOLUTIONS: A two-person shower replaced the tub, with slate accent tiles around the windows that coordinated with backsplash and slate flooring; new custom cherry cabinets were designed to maximize storage of personal-care products. The toilet/shower room became the new laundry room, accessible from the adjacent main hallway; an unused attic became the new 300-square-foot walk-in closet, with custom back-to-back drawers separating defined areas for the couple.

SPECIAL BONUS: The existing closet became a new hallway to access the new walk-in closet and a new private mezzanine den for the couple over the living room. The closet and mezzanine den added a total of about 500 square feet of living space to the home, within the original footprint. This project won three national awards for Best Interior Addition.