A Bathroom
ART DECO & BARRIER FREE
Kathy Adamson had very specific ideas about what she wanted for her octogenarian mother’s bathroom. Her mom, Dorothy Gourrich, has lived in the 1935 house since the late 1970s and has no plans to move. Although her mother is ambulatory, Adamson says, “I wanted a bathroom that would be wheelchair accessible and easy for her to navigate, and as comfortable as possible.”
The new bath is in keeping with the Art Deco style of the old bathroom, but with a brighter, more modern template accomplished with period-revival tile and marble. As the owner of Mission West Kitchen & Bath and a co-owner of
Mission Tile West, Adamson worked with in-house sales and an architect to rethink the space. The solution was to divide the 16' long x 9' wide room into discrete areas with different functions, keeping circulation open between them.
Visually, the bathroom is split into a long walk-in shower just off the entry, paralleled by a wider area with double console sinks. There’s a small cubicle for the toilet. A large archway between the sink and shower areas—now fitted with tempered glass to prevent splashes and let in light—marks the location of the original arched tub enclosure.
Beyond the barrier-free layout, Adamson considered the design and placement of all fixtures and fittings. For instance, the thermostatic and volume controls for the shower are at the entrance to the stall, not under the showerhead: “That’s so my mother doesn’t have to go in, turn on the tap, and get sprayed with cold water.” By the time she’s under the showerhead, the water is already flowing at a pre-set temperature. A diverter directs the water where she wants it, and a hand-held shower is ready for use as well. All fixtures are fitted with levers, which are easier for weak or arthritic hands to manipulate.
Adamson has since added a Plan Care chair from Keuco that hooks seamlessly onto any of the generously sized grab bars installed in the room. Other improvements include Warmup electric underfloor radiant heat on a timer; an ADA-compliant Toto toilet with a Tornado Flush system; and an infinity drain in the shower. Last but not least is the small stool outside the shower. Mrs. Gourrich, who tires easily, can take her time there after showering, within easy reach of clothing and toiletry products.