Overhauling a small bathroom can be exciting, maddening, and bewildering all at once. Like many projects, it is sometimes difficult to know where to begin, how the finished space will look, and whether the list of individual decisions will total a good result.

In this instance, we were presented with a full bathroom next to the kitchen. Both were born 30 years ago and had not been updated since. Our first question was whether the home needed a full bathroom in this location, or whether a powder room would suffice.

We decided that removing the tub and shower would still leave us with enough space for a powder room without encroaching on the kitchen or other rooms that also needed our attention. The home would have four full bathrooms in addition to this new powder room, so eliminating the functionality of the shower tub would not be a significant loss.

Now we were left with a 5' x 5' box by process of reduction. We upgraded and kept the plumbing in place for the sink and toilet, demolished the existing tub, tile, etc., and added electrical. Next came drywall and new tile on which the new fixtures would sit.

Here is what the finished powder room looks like:

The tile is cut from pale limestone from Bedrosians and the chair rail lends a bit of formality. A white shaker-style vanity, Kohler Bancroft toilet, and chrome accessories from the the Restoration Hardware Dillon line complete the look--understated and classic materials paired with polished chrome for an updated take on the traditional powder room.