Design Process: How I Designed A Tiny Bathroom

Last year, a client contacted us about renovating her 1920s Spanish Revival home in San Pedro, California. The house still retains much of its original architecture, and our objective was to renovate it with respect for its integrity while also modernizing it.

One of the first designs I worked on, was a tiny bathroom off the master bedroom. We needed to accommodate a larger vanity and extend the shower into a neighboring closet.

The basic house drawing plan started like this:

Because it was a very tight distance between the sink at the vanity and the toilet, I suggested off-centering the sink, so there is more space when standing at the vanity. The new floor plan showcases a larger shower that went into an existing closet and the off-centered sink creating more usable countertop space.

New proposed detailed floor plan with tile layout.

For the vanity design, the client found a vanity style she liked and I replicated it to create a custom floating vanity. We incorporated a mirror that complements the Spanish Revival style and a lantern for sconces inspired by a concept photo I had suggested.

Elevation drawing with vanity design & tile layout.

For the finish selections, I created a concept board inspired by a photo and incorporated color and concrete tiles with a pattern to compliment the Spanish style to make this small bathroom truly stand out.

Selections concept board.
Here are some design tips inspired by this bathroom design:

Color Combination Suggestion: Mix rich wood tones.

Fixture Color: Warm brass.

Desired Atmosphere: Luxurious and old-world.

Tile Usage Recommendation: Use patterned tiles selectively.

Suggested Locations: Shower niche or floor.

Design Benefit: Add character without overwhelming the space.

Desired Ambiance: Timeless, Mediterranean-inspired.

Design Elements: Arched details and layered lighting.

Here’s a list of the sources we used for this project.

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One Bathroom, Two Ways

For the last year, I’ve been working on a home renovation project for a beautiful 1920’s Spanish Revival in San Pedro, CA.

Much of the design planning had started late at the end of last year and into the beginning of this year. While construction has still been going on, my client emailed me in June, wanting to completely redesign one of the bathrooms we had long finalized.

It’s a small bathroom in a downstairs basement area. The original idea is that it would retain the Spanish style look that is consistent with the rest of the house and architecture, but also be a bathroom for her husband with some slightly more masculine touches (matte black hardware).

Per her input and inspiration photos, we re-designed the bathroom from the original take on a contemporary Spanish style to a more on-trend natural style.

Here’s a look at one bathroom, two ways:

Overall Style:

  • Modern Spanish influence with a mix of traditional and contemporary elements
  • Warm, earthy tones with rustic textures

Key Fixtures & Finishes:

  • Vanity:
    • Warm wood finish with classic legs and cabinet storage
    • Marble countertop
  • Faucet & Shower Fittings:
    • Brushed brass/gold finish
    • Clean-lined, modern profiles
  • Mirror & Lighting:
    • Rounded-edge mirror for a soft modern look
    • Brass wall sconces flanking the mirror
  • Towel Bar & Robe Hook:
    • Matte black finish for contrast
    • Simplistic, functional hardware

Tile Selections:

  • Flooring:
    • Spanish-style terracotta tiles
    • Mix of solid and patterned shapes (cross/star shapes)
  • Wall Tile:
    • Delicate cream and tan patterned tile
    • Soft and subtle design to enhance the Spanish feel

Layout:

  • Efficient, rectangular layout
  • Shower, vanity, and toilet arranged along the long wall
  • Entry door swings inward with clear circulation path
  • Built-in niche or shelving in shower area

Accessories:

  • Neutral-toned ceramic vase with dried florals
  • Accent decor to add warmth and texture

Inspirational Images:

  • Arched doorway with statement tile inlay
  • Wood vanity with bold black countertop and soft neutral backdrop
  • Vintage-inspired but clean and modern execution​

Overall Style:

  • Earthy, organic modern aesthetic
  • Inspired by natural textures and neutral tones
  • Features limewashed walls for a soft, matte, old-world feel
  • Minimalist yet warm and grounded

Key Fixtures & Finishes:

  • Vanity:
    • Rustic wood with open shelf base
    • Simple white sink integrated into top
  • Mirror:
    • Irregular organic shape in a matte black frame
  • Faucet & Shower Plumbing:
    • Matte black fixtures for modern contrast
    • Clean-lined, contemporary silhouettes
  • Lighting:
    • Woven pendant light—adds texture and natural fiber
  • Hardware:
    • Matte black towel bar and robe hook for cohesion

Tile & Surfaces:

  • Walls:
    • Soft limewash finish in warm beige tone
  • Flooring
    • Warm mix of earthy browns and dusty tones
    • Organic shapes with a rustic layout

Accessories:

  • Woven seagrass baskets
  • Round natural fiber mat
  • Decor that adds texture and emphasizes the neutral palette

Layout Highlights:

  • Rectangular bathroom layout
  • Separate shower with glass door
  • Toilet centered between shower and vanity
  • Additional cubbies or shelving for storage near the vanity

Inspiration Image:

  • Spa-like minimalism
  • Built-in ledge for seating and display
  • Streamlined and cohesive neutral palette

We were also able to widen the existing bathroom into the adjacent laundry room (not reflected on the first plan).

Which bathroom do you like better?

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Intro

After over three decades in the interior design industry, I have decided to embark on a new journey of writing about design. My goal is to share insights into the design process, provide practical guides, offer valuable tips, ideas, and resources, and assist readers online with their design projects. Therefore, I’ve create “Your Design Guide” – especially catered to you.

Before we dive into projects and your projects, here are some fun facts about my background:

  • I first decided I wanted to be “a interior disger” like my mom when I was in the 3rd grade.
  • I’ve been drawing flooring plans since I was little and before that I created rooms out of play-doh.
  • I attended both UCLA for Interior & Environmental Design and Otis for Design as part of my interior design education.
  • I worked in both commercial & residential interior design, often freelancing for many high-end interior designers (celebrity clients) before embarking on my own in 2006.
  • I’ve been in business for myself since 2006, mostly residential interior design projects but also some commercial design projects.
  • Around 2007, I was invited to join the Material Girls Blog as the Los Angeles blogger. At that time, I had barely heard of blogs, but it sounded like a great idea!
  • Blogging and social media grew and I feel grateful to have been a part of that community in the early days. I learned a lot, met a lot of great people, socialized with our local design community, and many opportunities came from it.
  • In addition to full service design I offer, I have also long been doing online interior design, or some say “e-design” or “e-decorating. From these services, I now offer several flat rate online design services.
  • In 2025, I published two ebooks.

BUT enough about me! Please tell me what you are looking to read or see or know about interior design. I would love to know more about what to share!