Behind The Design : Santa Clara Revival Primary Bath, Alameda, SF Bay Area, CA

The Santa Clara Revival Project was all about breathing new life into a 100-year-old family home. The homeowners loved the history and character of their house but needed spaces that worked for their everyday routines. One of the biggest transformations happened in the Primary Bath—a small, outdated Jack-and-Jill that lacked function and style.

Project Overview

• Location: Alameda , CA

• Home Age: Early 1900s

• Client Goal: The goal was to create a Primary Bath that packed efficiency, storage, and comfort into a very tight footprint—while still feeling timeless and fresh. The clients wanted ample storage, a walk-in shower, a Japanese toilet that could be tucked away from sight, and a vanity that suited their daily routines

• Design Style : Fresh and Clean with pops of Green

Before the Remodel

The existing primary bathroom was outdated and no longer worked for the homeowners. An awkward layout made the room feel cramped, with very little storage to keep things organized. The dated finishes, poor lighting, and lack of ventilation left the space feeling dark and uninviting—far from the relaxing retreat they needed

The Design Process

• Design Deep Dive

We began with a Design Deep Dive to understand the clients’ lifestyle, preferences, and goals—clarifying what wasn’t working and what they hoped to gain from the remodel. This helped define the scope and set the foundation for the entire project.

The inspiration was to create a bath that felt grounded yet fresh—classic materials with a hint of modern sensibility. The clients wanted something that would feel timeless for years to come, not overly trendy.

• Nailing down the Layout

  The most important decision to be made during the concept deign phase is the layout of the room. After exploring several layout options, we landed on a plan that checked every box:

  • One generous vanity with double storage instead of a double sink

  • A tall storage cabinet with a hidden laundry pull-out

  • A walk-in shower with a long niche for products

  • A Japanese toilet, thoughtfully tucked away for privacy

  This layout maximized function within the small footprint and gave the room balance and flow.

•  Concepts And Inspiration

  Every design project we take on starts with a concept phase. This is where we collaborate closely with our clients, gathering their ideas and inspiration through deep-dive design questionnaires, shared Pinterest boards, and lots of conversation about how they live day to day. It’s such an important part of the process because it lays the foundation for everything that follows. The inspiration was to create a bath that felt grounded yet fresh—classic materials with a hint of modern sensibility. The clients wanted something that would feel timeless for years to come, not overly trendy.

• 3D Rendering

  Early 3D renderings helped the clients visualize the space. With such a tight footprint, it was critical to confirm sightlines, storage solutions, and circulation flow before construction began.

The Transformation & Final Reveal

The final Primary Bath balances function and beauty. The custom vanity provides generous storage while feeling tailored to the space. The walk-in shower—with its long niche and full-height tile—feels expansive despite the compact footprint. The tall storage unit with laundry pull-out adds practicality, and the tucked-away Japanese toilet completes the room without disrupting the flow.

What was once a cramped, outdated Jack-and-Jill is now a serene retreat that supports the clients’ daily lives—proving that even the smallest spaces can be transformed into something highly functional and beautifully timeless.

For me, the best part of any project is knowing that the finished spaces truly work for my clients and make their everyday lives easier. The Santa Clara Revival was all about rethinking small, challenging rooms and transforming them into spaces that feel both timeless and highly functional. Seeing these rooms come to life in such a meaningful way has been incredibly rewarding.

I can’t wait to share Part Two of this reveal, where we’ll take a closer look at the Laundry Pantry transformation.

Happy Designing!

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