Replication in Renovation

Bold colors and smart updates pair with original features in this 1960s home.

A striking original mahogany wall was not only restored in this 1960s home, but also replicated on a smaller scale in the bathroom during a remodel.

While many original features of this 1960s Spokane home were kept during the renovation, one unique aspect was not only restored, but replicated in another area. “In this home, the wood wall—the Brazilian mahogany— was done so well, and we wanted to retain that, work around it and enhance it. That’s what we duplicated in the bathroom,” says Stephanie Sarro, owner of Sarro Design and project manager for the renovation. A smaller version of the dining area’s impressive accent wall was recreated in the newly refurbished bathroom, using a scale drawing by Stephanie and custom woodwork by Wagon Trail Woodworking.

“In this home, the wood wall— the Brazilian mahogany—was done so well, and we wanted to retain that, work around it and enhance it. That’s what we duplicated in the bathroom.”

“The backsplash—which was the mosaic pattern with all the colors in it—the owner originally found, and he really liked it. And I knew right away that [the owner] liked a lot of colors when I saw that,” explains Stephanie. Using the vivid hues as a jumping off point, they incorporated larger subway tiles in the shower that extend onto the ceiling. To allow more light into the room, a small 12-inch window was expanded to 6 feet and the shower was made with glass walls. A special luxury in the bathroom, the ceramic tile floor is now heated, and a closet was converted into an infrared sauna.

COLORFUL UPDATES

The kitchen had seen a remodel in the 1980s, leaving the owner with outdated cabinetry and flooring. As part of the renovation by Sarro Design, a new island replaced an older version in the same spot, and slate tile flooring was covered with Marmoleum. While the Marmoleum is mostly a solid neutral shade, select tiles

of red and yellow add a pop of color to the kitchen. “Adjacent to this kitchen was a laundry room where [the owner] wanted a yellow Marmoluem floor. And the powder room has red Marmoleum, so we tied it all together,” Stephanie explains.

For a fresh take on the breakfast nook, a custom wood bench was installed in the corner of the kitchen under a blue accent wall. In the nearby dining area, carpet was replaced by maple wood flooring, and an orange wall showcases an original built-in clock.

Striking colors are found throughout the home, from bright tiles in the bathroom to bold accent walls in the living area. Stephanie says, “I’m drawn to color because I am a watercolor artist, so I do love to help people with their color schemes.” In fact, many of the eyecatching acrylic paintings in the house were done by Stephanie. “While [the owner] was gone to Hawaii on vacation, I went ahead and painted the acrylic paintings that you see in the pictures, and hung them, and [the owner] just loved them,” she says.

THE ORIGINAL BRAZILIAN MAHOGANY WALL WAS FRESHENED UP WITH OIL, AND THE INTRICATE DESIGN WAS DUPLICATED IN THE BATHROOM. ABOVE THE MAHOGANY WALL, THE BUILT-IN CLOCK IS ORIGINAL TO THE HOME.

TOP: THE PRIMARY COLORS IN STEPHANIE’S ACRYLIC PAINTING STAND OUT AGAINST THE ORANGE ACCENT WALL.

BOTTOM: HAVING SEEN A PREVIOUS RENOVATION IN THE 1980S, THE KITCHEN WAS UPDATED WITH NEW CABINETRY AND CAMBRIA QUARTZ COUNTERTOPS. SELECT COLORED MARMOLEUM TILES ADD VISUAL INTEREST TO THE KITCHEN.

THE CUSTOM WOOD ACCENT WALL DESIGN WAS DUPLICATED FROM AN ORIGINAL WALL IN THE DINING ROOM, BOTH BRAZILIAN MAHOGANY. THE WINDOW WAS EXPANDED TO LET IN MORE LIGHT, AND THE SHOWER HAS GLASS WALLS TO KEEP THE ROOM BRIGHT.

SMALL MOSAIC TILES CREATE THE BACKSPLASH, WHICH IS CARRIED AROUND THREE WALLS OF THE BATHROOM. LARGER SUBWAY TILES IN THE SHOWER MIMIC THE VIBRANT COLORS OF THE SMALL MOSAIC BACKSPLASH.