Designer: Jenny Murphy of J Reiko Design + Co.
Location: Denver
Size: 50 square feet (4.7 square meters); 5¾ by 8⅔ feet

Homeowners’ request. “Set within the storied envelope of a historic home, this second-level bathroom serves all of the main bedrooms — an essential, high-traffic space tasked with meeting the demands of daily life for this young family,” says designer Jenny Murphy. “Following a comprehensive remodel of the main level, the directive here was one of continuity — extending a refined material palette and a restrained, modern sensibility while remaining attuned to the home’s architectural heritage. With the arrival of the homeowners’ first child, the program took on added urgency: The space needed to accommodate both the practicalities of family life and moments of quiet retreat.”

Murphy’s firm uses Houzz Pro software to help manage its business. “We use it mostly for project management, lead tracking, time tracking, invoicing and then logging specifications and creating a product selection sheet,” she says.

Special features. Black vanity. Creamy off-white and greige checkerboard shower tile. Marble tile flooring. Creamy wall paint (Swiss Coffee by Benjamin Moore). Full-height white oak linen cabinet. Curved mirrored medicine cabinet. “A combined tub and shower remained essential, accommodating both the practicalities of bathing a child and the more indulgent ritual of an evening bath for the adults,” Murphy says.

“To elevate this dual function, a deeper tub was specified — generous enough to comfortably serve an adult, ensuring the fixture felt intentional rather than purely utilitarian,” Murphy says. “In place of the expected glass enclosure, a custom linen pinch-pleat shower curtain softens the composition, introducing texture, movement and a hint of informality, aligning with the home’s Craftsman-bungalow-meets-English-cottage sensibility.”

Designer tip. “We were mindful of the budget on this project, so we leaned into simple, well-made pieces like a prefabricated vanity and linen cabinetry,” Murphy says. “From there it was all about how we layered in detail. We chose an affordable tile and elevated it by installing it in a classic checkerboard pattern, adding just the right amount of interest to make the space feel thoughtful and custom without stretching the budget.”

“Uh-oh” moment. “The existing wall length created a small but meaningful opportunity — measuring 69 inches against a standard 60-inch tub-shower insert,” Murphy says. “Rather than forcing a fit we chose to work with it. We introduced a custom-framed bench ledge at the end of the tub, clad in the same checkerboard tile to maintain continuity and intention. This solution does more than resolve a dimensional gap. It adds a place for bath essentials, a landing for toys while bathing a child and an integrated detail that supports the way the space is actually used.”

Vanity: Brittany in Black Onyx, James Martin Vanities; shower tile: Color Wheel Classic in Biscuit and Urban Putty, 4 by 4 inches, DalTile; floor tile: Ocean White honed, 18 by 18 inches, Floor & Decor; faucet: Cassidy in champagne bronze, Delta; medicine cabinet: Grae, Rejuvenation; linen cabinet: Billy/Oxberg in oak effect, Ikea

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