Photograph by Marc Mauldin
A friend sought the advice of interior designer Gabriela Eisenhart because she thought her shower was rotting. “Sure enough, I told her she was about to fall through the floor,” says Gabriela, founder of Silo Studio Design, who was hired on the spot to revamp the dated 150-square-foot primary bath in Atlanta’s Lenox Park neighborhood.
Likely last renovated more than two decades ago, the bathroom was overdue for a major refresh to bring it into the modern era. The look and feel of the house is traditional in keeping with the 1930’s Tudor influences on both the exterior and interior, so Gabriela used those influences to drive the new design. “This house has substantial architectural details, and we weren’t going to demo those out,” she says, noting that she kept the original wainscoting, which adds timeless character to the space. “We wanted a classic bath with a heritage feel that fit in with the home’s overall style.”
Photograph by Gabriela Eisenhart
Photograph by Gabriela Eisenhart
Photograph by Marc Mauldin
Photograph by Marc Mauldin
Because of the room’s existing windows, Gabriela had to keep the layout the same. So, she worked her magic through careful material selection and intentional touches that boosted wearability while retaining the bathroom’s vintage charm. A durable porcelain checkered floor tile by Edward Martin replaced the previous basketweave marble floor, and white porcelain subway tile by Bedrosians added lightness and brightness to the shower walls. A full glassed-in shower enclosure eliminated a half-wall that blocked visibility and made the room look smaller. And hard-working quartz was used for the countertops and shower bench.
Photograph by Gabriela Eisenhart
Photograph by Marc Mauldin
Gabriela likes to incorporate vanities that look like furniture—it’s one of her signature touches—and for this project she designed two solid oak ones to replace the heavy and outdated models that no longer suited the space. The new vanities, which feature fluted fronts, playful ball feet, and generous storage, sit on either side of a sleek volcanic limestone tub by Victoria + Albert. Articulating mirrors by Four Hands and oil-rubbed bronze lighting by Mullin replaced clunky medicine cabinets and sconces. Brushed brass hardware and plumbing fixtures injected warmth into the room, and soft neutral paint added a spa-like feel.
Gabriela’s clients love the finished space, and the bathroom is now fully functional as well as beautiful. “The homeowners are happy,” she says, “but more importantly, no one is falling through the shower.”
