At Home in Arkansas
While a roof leak presents obvious problems for homeowners, Lauren and Jonathan Nichols saw water damage to their property as an opportunity. “We discovered a slow leak over our shower that had caused the drywall to bubble,” Lauren recalls. “I have a hard time not doing anything all the way, so my husband said, This is your chance. Go big or go home.” A friend shared the name of Beth Reed, designer and owner of Design Actually, and Lauren reached out immediately. “I love to decorate, but with the scope of this project and everything we wanted to incorporate, I couldn’t imagine where to start,” she says.
Inspired by hotel baths in Las Vegas, the Nicholses wanted a primary suite with a light, neutral palette and a marble bath. “They are a busy young family, and they wanted this to be a peaceful place where they could be at ease at the end of the day,” Beth says. Defined areas in the bath and a closet with more than double the storage were also priorities. “Beth gave us options for the floor plan, but we loved her initial idea and went with it,” Lauren says.
To acquire square footage for the spacious closet, the Nicholses were willing to give up an underutilized guest room. “Lauren was tired of everything being crammed into a tight space and not really knowing what she had,” Beth says. “When you’re working in a closet, it’s important to think about what types of clothing the client has and plan accordingly. For example, do they need more long, hanging storage for dresses or concealed space for accessories?” Beth maximized storage space while still allowing room to walk around and step back to look in the mirror.
In the bath, removing a bulky tub, reconfiguring vanity areas, and transforming the former closet into a shower allowed the designer to check all the boxes on the couple’s wish list. Gold finishes and an eye-catching light fixture speak back to the original hotel inspiration while also coordinating with the refreshed bedroom. “Now the rooms are so airy and light—and a little bit feminine, but not too much,” Lauren says with a smile.
Chic Soak
A sleek freestanding tub replaced the previous deck-style version. A tub filler by Brizo in Luxe Gold coordinates with the other finishes and makes a statement. Linen panels with a blue and gold trim soften the window while allowing light to flow into the space.
Sophisticated Shower
The bath’s marble flooring continues in a horizontal application on the shower walls with coordinating hexagon tiles underfoot. A rainfall showerhead, thermostatic valve, and quartz bench are all useful amenities while a floral mosaic brings an artful touch to the design.
Vanity Flair
A space between the end of the previous double vanity and tub was the perfect nook to create a separate station for applying makeup. A pullout in the cabinetry keeps Lauren’s hair dryer and curling iron organized and at the ready. The mobile stool is a custom design that will be available through Beth’s customizable Design Actually collection.
Tailored to Her
In the newly created closet, Beth had the contractor match the bedroom’s wood floors and build an island with storage for sunglasses, jewelry, and folding clothes. The existing windows flood the space with natural light, and mirrored door fronts add to the glam feel while offering concealed storage. The wallpaper seen behind the shoe racks mimics the shower’s floral mosaic. A circular-patterned light fixture and pair of gold-and-white stools finish out the design.
