LUDLOW IN LOVE

Lets start with the inspo.....

INSPIRATION: The Ludlow Hotel NYC Bathroom.

I often stay at The Ludlow in the Lower East Side. It is so stylish and lovely and welcoming. It feels like New York to me AND THE BATHROOMS ARE BANANAS. 

THE BEFORE: A 1905 Craftsman Hoarder House. Angelino Heights. Los Angeles. 

AKA. OUR NEW DIGS PRE-RENO.

STEP 1: THE DEMO: AN ARCHEOLOGICAL DIG OUT.

Above are photos of our upstairs hallway bathroom PRE REMODEL, as is, or as was.

There were some positive things worth salvaging here, such as the 100 year old clawfoot tub BUT if you can tell from the photo, at some point in the 1960's it was cast into Terrazzo stone. And YES, there is a Terrazzo moment happening in the design world, BUT this is not a mid century home. This is a 1905 Craftsman home, which wouldn't have had terrazzo floors and built in bath surrounds. THIS was a 2 day demo job requiring jackhammers, EXTREME care and hand chiseling... I wanted them to chip the tub out of the stone, and YES.... keep the tub intact.  I wanted to use the original tub in the master bathroom, if possible.

So the tub was OK. It didn't crack. THANK GOODNESS.

Step Two: Remove everything else. Full Gut.

It was time to complete the demo and you can see this happening in stages below. We were going to completely redo and reconfigure the plumbing. We decided to make a huge shower in this space instead of a tub... This is what they mean when they say FULL GUT. It's down to the studs. And let me tell you, the studs in old homes can be very beautiful. Old wood just has a patina to it.

Something interesting for you true renovation dorks out there, something I found complex and a challenge. Old Studs aren't 2 x 4. Trying to fit plumbing into shallow walls is HARDER than you think. 4" drains in walls framed from 3" studs. TOUGH STUFF.

Step Three: The Bathroom Makeover, AKA... The fun part!

The key to getting the right look, to mimic the bathroom at the Ludlow Hotel, was using the right materials. I chose marble for the flooring. The less expensive options didn't have the aged feeling or the soul of what I was looking to do. The Ludlow was marble. I wanted Marble! And I wanted the same one. I was very specifically looking for a mini rectangle. It couldn't be a square, it wouldn't have the uneven appearance I was going after. I ended up buying from a marble tile website that was very reasonable and the tiles were shipped within days.  Proportion was also key to getting the right appearance. They practiced the layout first.

AND THEN there was a grout question. The color had to work with the white tile AND the black tile. We ended up going with Deloreon Grey. It was right in the middle. It would contrast both nicely. I think the Ludlow had a darker grout, but we felt it would look a little dirty.

We used a white beveled ceramic tile on the walls, from floor to ceiling. We also used large flat 18" marble tiles, cut to fit the shower step. We felt this made the shower feel more lux. At the Ludlow hotel the bathtubs were set in a marble surround. I loved the contrast. We wanted to bring this solid marble contrast in.  

I wanted to trim the bathroom in brass and mixed metals. I really loved how the shower glass was framed in a brushed brass trim. I also preferred the square drain grate. This is from KOHLER in a similar brushed brass. We chose not to put a door in the shower glass because isn't it just lovely to walk in, it feels more open and spacious. It is amazing NOT having a door. This is our family shower and often times it becomes just that. I sit on the step while Elke plays under the water with her toys. It became a more social shower.  That sounds kind of weird, but when you are a family, it's not really that weird.

We chose satin brass fixtures from Delta. They are nice quality and more affordable that the Purist collection from KOHLER. We were on a budget or at least had to be aware of where we can save money.. These were gorgeous options at a great price.

We opted for towel hooks or large robe hooks instead of towel bars. I'm feeling like towel bars are dated, and the hooks are so much easier to use. Towels can dry easier and they look more style infused to me. I still love this choice and the towels never look too messy. They look perfectly draped. And I have a large basket where folded towels are stored. It's a more modern solution.

MAKING A "FALL IN LOVE"  MOMENT

I love her, and by her I mean this gorgeous early century secretary desk. I loved her from the moment I met her. When I saw her, I saw the most romantic little moment. This little antique secretary stole my heart. I used the little secretary as the vanity (I added a marble top and vessel sink) and we used the mirror in the master bathroom. The gold inlay around the drawer faces felt Egyptian Art Deco. The little hangy brass pulls (their technical term) I SWOON over. She was $225. I got her in a salvage inspired thrift store in DTLA, one of my favorite secret spots. SO IN LOVE!

When I design, whether it's clothing or interior spaces, I always am trying to create an emotional moment. It's this moment that makes someone FALL IN LOVE and then FALL IN LOVE again every time you walk in the room. All of my rooms have this moment. And most of my collections (in fashion) have these statements too. 

This moment is made up of a few things playing off each other. The original drop brass handles, the warm honey shade of the old woodgrain & definitely the mirror. The mirror owns the room. I found it on Craigslist for $200. I was so excited to find such a lovely statement right in time for this room. The light above the mirror I LOVE. I ADORE. I found it at the Habitat for Humanity in Glendale. It cost $10.00. It's the antique floral fluted glass shades and the brass handle feminine curves... It's all these things together. And then there was the decision to paint the walls above the tile a very dark charcoal paint. The contrast is so nice with so much white tile, it connects with the marble striation. All of the mini moments make the bigger moment. There are certain decisions you make along the way that add to or detract from your moment. The decision to buy real brass traps for under the sink. ADDS. The decision to place the faucet in the wall rather than on the marble. It adds a modern feel to an antique scene. The brass outlet cover.  It's the whole. It's all of the details which make a whole moment.

There she is.. That beauty. You can also see in the glass reflection the ceiling light we chose. It is a vintage light I rewired (myself!).  It has the antique ribbed industrial glass and a heavy brass base. It is more of a blackened brass. But I love the mix of old feeling metals. I got her at the same time as the vanity overhead light, both at the Habitat of Humanity, both were $10.00. From the moment I bought them I knew they were meant to sit next to each other. Best Friends.

AND HERE WE ARE.  Full circle. The next shot is similar to the Ludlow Shot. A view from above. My version of their vibes. Same Nikes, although worse for wear.  EXCEPT, this one is now all mine. Swoon!