The goal of this bathroom renovation was to create a single bathroom suitable enough for three adults to use regularly. We wanted to achieve a cool, urban loft-like look without breaking the bank.

Here, the before:

Now, the after:

The custom sliding barn door—clad in aged, naturally weathered sheet metal, compliments of Weaver Wrecking in Bedford, Ind.—was handmade, receiving inspiration from architect Tom Kundig. The barn door style allowed us to capture the use of the entire bathroom space without the obstruction of a typical swing door. The wall mount vanities give the space a visually open feel without sacrificing much needed storage space below. The frameless recessed mirrors keep with the open feel but add extra storage—a must in small bathroom spaces.

By removing the old iron tub and replacing it with a simple shower, the 5x7 room expands significantly. The clear glass door allows the eye a direct view of the Italian porcelain tile with a matte/polished combination finish, letting the light reflect and create depth; subtle horizontal striping adds to the illusion of an even wider space.

Tucking the toilet in a niche, which once served as a linen closet, not only allowed for an additional sink, but also removed the toilet from direct site, preventing it from becoming the focal point while allowing the user some separation and privacy from the flow of other bathroom necessities.

The lighting design is layered, providing the users versatility: overhead recessed cans for general lighting, decorative sconces for close-up vanity mirror tasks and accent lighting for ambiance. A salvaged Indiana University kitchen pendant hangs in the toilet niche, providing a soft glow above.

The easy and extremely inexpensive way to complete the design with an industrial look was one of my favorite ”tricks of our trade”—using something ordinary in a not-so-ordinary way: Simple black iron pipe pieced together, much like a plumbing professional would do for internal plumbing lines, serves as an unexpected exposed paper tissue holder and towel hooks.

This inspired renovation was contributed by Jennifer Hankee, founder of Lacquer Interior Design. Jennifer Hankee is a graduate of Purdue University and The Illinois Institute of Art, Chicago. With a decade of experience in residential, hospitality and restaurant design, Jen bases her ideology on bridging the gap between lifestyle and dwelling with a desire to develop, create and realize all types of spaces. Visit her website at lacquerinteriordesign.com.