This primary bath by Dipped Interiors is a soothing sanctuary that reflects the homeowners’ fondness for the coast.

When this busy young family of five set out to renovate the entire first floor of their McAlpine Forest home, first up was the primary bathroom. 

The home had been a rental before the current owners bought it in 2016. The bathroom was straight from the ’90s, according to Vicky Little, co-founder and principal designer at Dipped Interiors. “Blah, boring and beige on so many levels,” Little says. She and her partner Lynn Kayne started their residential interior design firm, Dipped Interiors, a decade ago after working in commercial retail and hospitality design. 

“The overall layout was great, but the shower felt tight, and the vanity was low,” Little says. 

The homeowners’ top priority was replacing a garden tub they never used with a large freestanding tub. Removing the massive tub not only created space to expand the shower; it also improved the balance and overall symmetry in the room, Little says.

“It was supposed to be a place for mom to unwind, but even the little ones enjoy a nice soak after a long Saturday of soccer tournaments. What was once a never-used-tub is now the center of making memories.”

Spa-like amenities, a coastal aesthetic and colorful art were also on the punch list. 

“Our clients love the beach and have a deep appreciation for original colorful abstract artwork, so we knew we needed to incorporate those elements in some way,” Little says. The custom vanity in a soft blue and champagne bronze hardware give a light and airy feel. A grasscloth wallcovering designed by Charlotte artist Megan Daisy Milner brings a pop of color to the storage nook.  SP 

– Cathy Martin

The accent wallpaper in the storage nook, left, is by Charlotte artist Megan Daisy Milner. The addition of a freestanding tub, right, was the top priority in the renovation. The handmade chandelier is made of resin-coated banana bark.

The Details

Designer: Dipped Interiors

Builder: F2 Construction

Floating shelves and wallpaper installation: P.S. Carpentry

Cabinets: Fabuwood through Advanced Kitchen & Bath Design

Removing a large garden tub created space to add a freestanding tub and enlarge the shower. A low vanity was replaced with new custom cabinets by Fabuwood painted in a soothing blue with champagne bronze hardware. Photograph by Victoria Moon.