Kitchen & Bath Business - October 2017 - 35

not been using the tub, Sheth transformed the
area into a large shower with full-length doors
using available wall space with a bench and a long,
handheld shower the homeowner could use while
seated. She placed the main showerhead at an
angle so the water would reach her whether she
was sitting or standing, and the plumbing pipes
needed to be increased for improved water flow.
The previous vanity had been at two separate
heights, and it is now at one so the homeowner
can sit and do her makeup and use the sink at the
same level. If she is standing, the countertop is high
enough - 36 inches - so that she does not have to
bend over to access the vanity.
The low-height toilet was in a non-ADAcompliant space in the former bathroom, so the
designer switched it out with a higher-raised,
elongated version for ease of use and increased
the space to be up to code. Sheth switched out the
narrow, bi-fold entrance door for a larger pocket
door to save space in the bathroom and not block
the walkway.The client was not interested in making the bathroom wheelchair accessible because
the house itself is not.

Universal Design

SOURCES
DESIGNER: Komal Sheth,
Spaces Designed Interior
Design Studio
CONTRACTOR: Basey
Construction
PHOTOGRAPHER: Paul
Cisneros Photography
ACCENT GLASS TILES:

Lunada Bay; CABINETS:
Texas Unique Cabinets;
LIGHTING: Slamp Light
& Sonneman Lighting;
PLUMBING FIXTURES:

Grohe; SHOWER WALL
TILES: Artistic Tile

TILE TROUBLE

The designer chose a selection of tiles based on durability and aesthetic,
explaining that the variety provided her with limitless possibilities to bring
natural surroundings indoors. She used porcelain tiles with wavy, mixed
ocean colors for the walls, and the glass mosaic floor tiles coordinate well; the
pattern also allows a non-slippery grip for the feet.The designer said it was a
challenge to find floor tiles that would not clash with those on the wall, but
it was even more of a challenge to install them.
"We chose glass tiles for the floor, not knowing they came with a paper
back instead of mesh," explained Sheth. "Paperback tiles are very difficult to

BELOW The vanity backsplash

is a blend of aqua blues
and gray-green tile to evoke
stormy oceans. Modern snowwhite cabinetry provides
ample storage with rollout
trays and drawers and complements the countertops.

install on the floor because you can't see the correct side, and the installer has to guess if they are
all lined up."
She said the installer had to redo the floor twice,
lining up each tile one by one, partly because the
client was so particular about how she wanted
them to look. Sheth ordered more wall tile than
was needed because each has a different pattern,
and she wanted the waves to match up.
BEHOLDING THE BUDGET

Although the client had a small budget range of
$15,000 to $25,000 with which to work, Sheth
explained that for the size and selection of materials
used, it was a fair price.To stay true to it, she and the
homeowner collaborated and found such items as
the plumbing and lighting fixtures for reasonable
prices but did not compromise on the style and
quality. Sheth also reused the back door after repairing the water damage and repainting the door.
"The tiles we chose were priced very well from
our local vendors but did not compromise on the
quality,"added the designer."To help keep the budget low, we also decided to keep all of the original
plumbing locations."
She also saved by finding a contractor who
worked within the budget.
"We interviewed the two contractors with
whom I regularly work and asked them to send us
quotes and availability," said Sheth. "My client got
a chance to meet both and feel the dynamics, and
we went with the one who came within the budget
but also had a shorter time frame."


35
Kitchen & Bath Business - October 2017

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