Designer for Bathroom Remodel

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Archived Q&A and reviews ▼

Parent Q&A

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  • Kitchen and bath designer to use with our contractor

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    Jan 8, 2023

    Hi there - We are looking for recent recommendations for a designer that we can hire to help us think through kitchen and bath decisions to guide our contractor. Not interested in a super high end "fancy" result but we are definitely passionate about smart, modern design: high quality fixtures, efficient use of space, good flow, easy to keep clean, and maybe bells and whistles we don't know about to make the kitchen even more functional. We are a big food and cooking family so the kitchen is definitely the nerve center of our house and we want to get it right. Thanks!

    Jan 8, 2023

    We used Angelisse Karol for our kitchen and bathroom. She helped with tile, fixtures, paint. She's a little quirky (and a bit expensive), but she doesn't waste your time, and she has a great eye. We loved the outcome. https://www.angelissekarolcolor.com/

    Jan 11, 2023

    I can recommend Toshie Lim. We worked with her 5+ years ago on our bathroom, but I recently referred a friend to her for help with her kitchen design and she loved her.

    wacworksdesign [at] sbcglobal.net

    https://www.yelp.com/biz/wac-works-albany

    Jan 11, 2023

    We lived in Maxwell Park and hired Jason Urrutia of Urrutia Design for our kitchen renovation and we loved the results!!.  He is an experienced talented designer who listened to our desires and created a design that was within our budget, simple and beautiful. This was our first major home renovation and you can imagine all our questions and concerns we had  but Jason and his team never tired of answering all of our questions and sharing their insights. Do not let the fancy address or website be a deterrent, he and his team are down to earth and work with most homeowners budgets. Urrutia Design,  415-332-7777   www.urrutiadesign.com

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    Jan 18, 2023

  • Anyone used Rebath for bath remodel?

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    Jun 5, 2019

    Hello,

    I'd like to know if anyone has used Rebath for their bathroom remodel and whether they would recommend them? They advertise a lot on TV. Was their pricing fair for what you get? They have quoted me $15,000 for one shower replacement or around $20,000 for a complete bathroom remodel (including quartz counter top, floor, fan, new toilet, and shower, but not replacing the vanity) because they stated they offer a product no other company offers.

    Their sales pitch seemed fine, but I'm nervous because I always get taken for a ride (single woman). They said their quote is guaranteed whereas other contractors may start with one quote but then increase costs as the work goes on. Also, they said they are the only company that gives a lifetime warranty on materials and workmanship.

    Also, any other company recommendations appreciated if you loved their work and price.

    Thank you

    Jun 5, 2019

    We paid $8k in labor, another $6k in materials, but this was for a small bathroom, complete remodel. (So the sink was a pedestal, no countertop). This was also 2016.

    Always get multiple quotes for your specific job.

    I hope this helps!

    Jun 12, 2019

    Contractors seem to be quoting very high prices right now.  $15k to replace a shower is very high!  

    Go to a big box hardware store and see how much the actual fiberglass shower costs, and you will understand my point.

    We got high bids, and decided to do it ourselves.  The cost difference is amazing.  There are tons of great YouTube videos that show exactly how to do the work.  If you aren’t moving around plumbing or electrical, it’s really not that hard.

    Also, Granite Expo warehouse has great prices on vanities with granite tops.  They do installation for a fee, but it will be much, much less than what a contractor will charge.

    Good luck!

    Jun 12, 2019

  • ISO Bathroom Designer for remodel project

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    Oct 19, 2018

    I can use some help with a bathroom remodel.  Specifically, I am looking for someone who has experience in bathroom design... a design professional who will come see our space, take the necessary measurements, work with us to create a design, point us in the right direction on where to purchase materials and most importantly provide a drawing of the new design that we can provide our contractor.

    I am NOT looking to spend a lot of money (ideally less than 2K for the designer)... so I wouldn't need them to manage our project or go out and pick the materials for us.

    *** This will be our first remodel project, so if you have any advice, feedback or insights based on personal bathroom remodeling experience... feel free to share.

    Thanks, oyveyenough [at] gmail.com

    Oct 19, 2018

    The designer I used for my kitchen also designs bathrooms. She and her team are amazing! Her name is Lisa Cannelora, she's at Cucina di Cannelora in Alameda. You can reach her at Lisa [at] cucinadicannelora.com  She comes out to the house, measures, asks a lot of questions, and every project of hers that I've seen has been fabulous.

    Oct 24, 2018

    Hi there,

    We used Toshie Lim and I really loved working with her. She came and took measurements of the space (we converted a closet into a bathroom) and drew up a design sketch. This initial visit cost $200 (in October 2017). If you want to continue working with her, she has two models: one is a fee-based start to end design consultancy where she helps pick out materials and works with your contractor. I think it depends on the size of the project, but for ours she quoted me some where in the $2,000+ range. The other is an hourly rate if you just want her to help with certain aspects of the process. At the time it was $100/hour which includes her time doing research and meeting with you. This is what I ended up doing and was very pleased with her suggestions. She helped me find the perfect tiles for our bathroom floor that were reasonable. She has lots of good ideas. Here is her company on Yelp which includes her contact info: https://www.yelp.com/biz/wac-works-albany. I'm happy to answer more questions or send pictures if you like! Good luck and have fun!

    Oct 24, 2018

    I highly discourage using Custom Spaces (Solano). We worked with Catherine on a recent kitchen remodel and it was a very stressful experience. Needlessly long and over budget. I look forward to seeing other responses!

    Oct 24, 2018

  • Looking for designer for bathroom remodel

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    Apr 14, 2018

    Looking for a designer who can help with remodel project of a bathroom.  Would like to consult with them on coming up with a new design/layout and render a design that can be submitted for permits and to help assist the contractor.

    Please email me your recommendations at:  oyveyenough [at] gmail.com

    Apr 14, 2018

    We worked with Jennifer at Altera Designs in Walnut Creek for our bathroom remodel two years ago(www.alteradesign.com). She created a 3D design for us, and we ordered all the materials from Altera. They also have approved contractors you can hire, but we used our own contractor, and it was pretty seamless.  We found that it was especially helpful when Jennifer limited the universe of choices for finishes (which can be overwhelming) to options we would like, and then she  went through all the possible combinations in the showroom.  She remained responsive when we had some hiccups in the remodel process.  We were very happy with Altera! 

    Apr 18, 2018

Archived Q&A and Reviews

Bathroom designer needed for finishing details

March 2013

Hi, I'm looking for recommendations for a designer/decorator to help me with my bathroom addition. I have a lot of the big pieces in place -- I have the floorplan (it's a basic Jack and Jill bathroom between 2 kids rooms) but I need help with the finishing touches, for example, the decorative tile border in the shower alcove, which lights to pick, if I want two mirrors instead of one large one what size should choose, help finding a cabinetmaker for the vanity. I feel like this is a pretty small job; I almost want to just buy an hour's worth of design time for a double check on my ideas. I want this to be a fairly contemporary bathroom as well. What I don't need is someone whose main goal is to sell me cabinets. I'm in Walnut Creek and would prefer someone located out this way. Erin

We had help from Alina Druga with Alina Druga Interiors. We were kind of in the same situation as you. We we looking for someone to guide us in the right direction and give us advice for almost every room in the house, on how to update and make our home look more like us. We couldn't afford to have someone do all the work, we were just looking for someone to show us the way. Alina was wonderful; in a few hours she transformed our home with her ideas. Her suggestions helped us make the changes that we needed. She also helped us with window treatments in our office from Hunter Douglas, which we purchased from her, and guided us in selecting finishes and color for our bathrooms. She made sure we were completely satisfied, and was completely wonderful. She is really down to earth, easy to talk to and her fees are also very reasonable. We would definitely recommend her. Her website is www.alinadrugainteriors.com, and phone number is (510) 566-5917. Good luck! Monica

Bathroom Designer for bathroom remodel

March 2009

Hello, we are about to have our 1970's pink tiled bathroom remodeled (full tear down/remodel) and are looking for recommendations on designers to help us provide a sketch to our contractors, as well as help us with materials selection/purchasing. We are working with a very limited budget for a designer ($1000-1500), so any recs for affordable, great designers would be most appreciated. Thanks! Catherine

I'm in the process of remodeling a very old bathroom with the help of interior designer Francis Combes. He is a very telented designer who was able to help me pick out all the components I need, such as the tile, fixtures, color, faucets, and design elements. He was able to modernize our bathroom with hardly any additional cost. His plans were well done and understandable for the contractor. Best of all, he was very reasonable and professional. Check out his website at http://www.combesdesign.com/ A very satisfied client

We just finished a bathroom remodel that we love! We got help from Isabel Tsang at Albany Cabinets and Design (www.albanycabinets.com; 510.526.2288). She was very helpful in working out the design and suggesting resources. She has a showroom in Albany, which I found very useful when trying to talk about style and consider different options. I always felt like she listened to our needs and opinions, but wasn't pushy about using the businesses that she has relationships with. And she would definitely fit into your budget. Good luck. Ruth

I am an Architect who specializes in small remodels and am flexible about how to facilitate a project. A budget as small as yours will buy some good professional help, getting a design and input on related matters, but is insufficient for a remodel that requires a building permit. Some remodels only require plumbing and electrical permits. I call these ''upgrades''. AB

I highly recommend Bonnee Elterman. You can reach her at bonnee.elterman [at] gmail.com or 510-593-3466. She helped us with a kitchen and living room update/remodel, but she has quite a bit of experience with whole house remodels, and I wouldn't hesitate to have her help you with your project. She's great at making excellent design recommendations within your budget constraints. Feel free to contact me if you'd like to hear more about our experience working with her. Kara

Hi Catherine, I highly recommend interio designer Benjamin Dhong. He had helped me with my office space last year. I really love his style. He is very easy to work with. He truly cares about his clients and pays attention to details. In fact he was featured in SF Chornicle on 3/8/09. Here's the link: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/03/08/HOMM1660TO.DTL You can check his website too. (www.benjamindhong.com). His email: ben [at] bd-interiors.com; or phone# (415) 595-2582 Have fun w/ the remodel... Lan

Need help with designs for bathroom remodel

Aug 2006

I need to take three bathrooms in my 1924 Berkeley house down to the studs to remodel them. I need help with designs - it's overwhelming. I'd like someone who can come to the table with ideas/designs and move things along.

I had help redoing me entire house including 3 bathrooms. Jeanette Patterson http://pshomesd.com/ decor[at]pshomesd.com 510-271-0191 Jeanette helped the entire way. She was easy to work with and worked at various budget levels depending on how much we were spending on each bathroom. She did the designs I found the labor. She can help with as much or as little as you need. For example, to save money I did the leg work after she picked out the items. I can't say enough great things about her! Jennifer

Hi - Beverly Wilson in Berkeley (510)524-0990 is an excellent bathroom designer. (She also does kitchens.) Beverly designed 2 of our bathrooms & our kitchen/dining space (essentially half our home) as well as my in-laws kitchen. We have a 1906 Berkeley Bungelow home which was added onto in 1915 (kitchen & bath) & again in the '80s (masterbed & bath). She did a great job with our kitchen & bathrooms making the house flow better & making the home look more cohesive. I'd be happy to show you her work, if you're interested. Just contact me via email. Good Luck. deborah

JB Turner and Sons design and remodel kitchens and bathrooms. They do excellent work and have many references. The designer Marilyn Gardunio was featured in the latest Oakland Magazine. They are located at 3911 Piedmont Ave Oakland, CA. Phone #:510-658-3441 Good Luck!

We are currently working with Samantha Sullivan of Atmosphere Design Collaborative on a bathroom remodel (in our '30s house with an '80s addition). She is friendly and extremely experienced. Her ideas are in keeping with our style and budget--but she has come up with looks and solutions that never would've occurred to us. In Walnut Creek, 925/935-9147 Sarah in Montclair

I used Sara Jaffe (Sara Jaffe Designs) for our master bath/closet remodel. I had strong ideas of my own, and she respected them as well as coming up with lots & lots of great ideas I never would have thought of. She does all aspects of the design (including electrical, HVAC, plumbing, etc.) and gives you a finished set of plans that can be taken to the city for permit approval. She is excellent at what she does, and she happens to be a pleasure to work with. We are using her for another project now! Please let me know if you want more information. Her contact info: www.sarajaffedesigns.com, 510.834.8716 j.s