Sentimental Moments in Remodeling
For many people, their homes are like time capsules, storing tales of family gatherings, holiday feasts, and moments of laughter or late-night conversations. As time goes on, the desire to refresh your home is natural, but that often comes with deciding how to embrace change without erasing memories like children’s growth marks on the wall.
Our team had the privilege of collaborating with Mackenzie’s family to honor her late grandmother through a deeply meaningful bathroom renovation.
A Modern Homage to Grandma Francis
The remodel began unexpectedly, following a flood that required the entire bathroom to be stripped down to its core. Walls, flooring, and finishes all had to be removed.
Mackenzie shared, “It was technically an environmental issue. I loved how the original bathroom looked. I didn’t want to remodel a ton in this home, but if we were going to do it, I wanted to do it right and honor my grandma.”
Her mission captured our team’s heart and respect, and we were on board.
Mackenzie’s home was built in the 1970s by her grandparents, Frances and Mack. One of the most distinct rooms of the home was the primary bathroom. It featured an island with intense counter-to-ceiling mirrors, coordinating wallpaper and curtains, pinkish-orange carpet, and a salmon-toned Roman tub surrounded by white rocks. It was expressive. It was stylish. It matched the fashionista grandma was.
“Frances was an icon,” Mackenzie shared. “She was the kind of woman who turned heads when she entered a room. Growing up with her shaped my style.”
How To Preserve Memories While Creating New Ones
Mackenzie knew how much this home meant to her grandparents, so plain white walls were never an option. This remodel had to carry the same energy as the original bathroom. She selected every detail with care, and we were right there by her side to bring grandma’s legacy to life.
She worked closely with head designer Lisa Erickson to develop a palette that balanced deep, saturated greens with soft, expressive pinks. The pink serves as a nod to the original bathroom, while the green introduces depth and a more contemporary edge.
To echo the original granite island, Lisa sourced a Cristallo Pink Quartzite slab from Bedrosian’s Tile & Stone. Its natural veining introduces movement and softness, offering a refined interpretation of the original material.
“I feel like Lisa, and I worked really well together,” Mackenzie said. “We bantered back and forth, figuring out what worked. I respected her expertise, and she respected my ideas.”
“I originally wanted green tile behind the mirrors, but Lisa explained it would cast a green glow while doing my makeup. I never would have thought of that, so we went with Cloé Pink tile, which was both functional and beautiful.”
Surrounding the island are Caesarstone London Grey countertops complemented with Cloé Pink tile backsplash, and rich brown reed cabinetry. The most iconic piece in the bathroom is the vintage transparent double slipper freestanding tub.
The original bathroom once featured a sunken Roman tub framed by white rocks. Those same stones have been preserved and reintroduced around the new tub, reflecting childhood memories of Frances getting ready and Mackenzie playing nearby. Beneath the rocks, tile was handset to follow the curve of the space, creating an oasis atmosphere.
Above the tub, a Crystorama chandelier with amber glass casts a warm glow, while Frances’ original chandelier hangs adjacent in the room, symbolically linking Frances and Mackenzie as two shining lights.
“If she were here,” Mackenzie reflected, “She would have gone around gasping at everything excitedly. I can picture it.”
Honoring The Past, Living In The Present
From the preserved white rocks to the bold color choices, from the original chandelier to the modern finishes, Mackenzie successfully honored the woman who was not only her grandmother but her closest buddy.
Taking on a home remodel is much like opening the pages of a cherished family album. It's a delicate balance of respect and imagination. If you are looking to preserve memories while creating new ones in your remodeling journey, give us a call. (559) 365-6542