Ember Spa
Plymouth, MN
Completed 2024
“Major improvement.” – NARI
Ember Spa began as a DIY remodel that quickly proved too complex. The homeowners turned to our team mid-demo for professional design and expert installation to bring their vision to life. The “before” images pictured below were taken when we stepped in.
The existing bathroom featured a very small, leaking shower, as well as an outdated, low-height toilet and vanity. They sought a more accessible, open, and modernized space. To address their needs, we installed a curb-less shower in a new location for easy, trip-free access, allowing for a seamless transition into the shower area. A new washer and dryer were integrated into the bathroom design for added convenience, neatly tucked behind a sliding door to maximize space.
The homeowners also desired a spacious bath where they could relax and lounge. To fulfill this, we incorporated a generously sized free standing bath that comfortably fits two. Overall, the bathroom now boasts a cleaner, updated look, aligning perfectly with the homeowners’ vision for both functionality and style.
Before
TA-DA!
Designed by Melissa Mlejnek
Behind the Design
Design Notes
Before
A DIY gone wrong. The homeowners started the bathroom themselves, hit the wall every DIYer knows, and made the call — small, outdated, congested, and now half-demolished.
The Idea
Move the shower entirely. That single decision made room for a washer and dryer behind a sliding door, a no-step aging-in-place shower with a bench and reachable shelving, and a round soaking tub under soft light.
After
A thrifted vanity matched to the home’s honey-oak trim, an arched wall detail echoed in the mirrors, marble trim around wood-look porcelain — a bathroom that works for every year of life ahead of it.
The Brief
- —Add a washer and dryer — discreetly
- —A shower designed for aging in place
- —Colors and design cohesive with the rest of the home
- —Keep the existing windows
Materials & Craft
- Wood-look porcelain shower tile
- Large-format porcelain bench
- Marble trim & countertops
- Round soaking tub
- Custom-matched cabinetry
01
The relocation
Shifting the shower’s location freed the floor plan: laundry tucked behind a sleek slider, a walk-in closet added on the path from the bedroom.
02
No step, no compromise
The curbless shower has a built-in bench and accessible shelving — safety engineered in, spa looks kept.
03
The thrifted vanity
A found vanity and countertop matched to the home’s honey-oak window trim — then a custom cabinet built to pair with it perfectly.
04
Arches, again
An arched wall niche carries a mirror and shelf; the vanity mirrors repeat the curve — small architecture doing quiet work.
The hard part
A true curbless shower means lowering the floor joists themselves to create drainage slope — engineer involved, structure respected. Then the oversized porcelain bench demanded reinforced framing, specialty brackets, and custom waterproofing.
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