Designing my first luxurious, coastal primary bathroom at the age of 24 was a dream come true. Being able to do it all over again once we moved into our new home two years later still feels like a pinch-me-moment. On top of that, I had the opportunity to partner with some AMAZING brands and companies, such as Torrco Design Center, Newport Brass, MTI, Robern, DVX, Lima Tile, Modern Matter, and more! Keep scrolling for a full breakdown on my luxurious, coastal primary bathroom reveal along with fun renovation stories, things I learned along the way, and why you’d be crazy not to use Torrco Design Center and Lima Tile if you’re local to the Fairfield County/Westchester County area! 

The BEFORE Primary Bathroom

Cringe! When we bought this house, we knew the primary bathroom needed a renovation ASAP. That’s why the day after we moved in our contractor had his team over here at 8:00 AM to gut our primary bathroom. It was crazy, but I’m so glad we addressed this outdated bathroom from day one! 

My contractor and I felt that keeping the layout the same made the most sense. This was a mixture of taking into consideration our budget and not wanting to expand the footprint of the bathroom/not having any space to really expand into. Our bathroom isn’t huge, and I’m here to tell you that you don’t need a ton of space to still achieve a luxurious primary bathroom. Promise!!

Getting rid of the built-in jacuzzi tub completely transformed this bathroom from feeling closed in, to feeling–dare I say–roomy?! By removing the jacuzzi tub we also were able to bump out the shower footprint ever so slightly. Double win! 

The Design Process with Torrco Design Center & Supporting Local 

I know I shouldn’t play favorites, but I hold a special place in my heart for partnerships with companies/brands with which I have previously existing relationships. I used Torrco for my previous kitchen and bathroom renovations, and I only had positive things to say about the entire experience. The Torrco design consultant I worked with last time helped me step by step throughout the entire process, which I certainly needed as a newbie to home owning and reno-ing! That’s why this time around I was so eager to reach out to Torrco Design Center to see about the possibility of a partnership. Imagine my delight when they said YES!

Torrco is a local, family-owned business (two of my favorite things!!). Their customer service and design expertise make for an unmatched experience in my book! I would have gone with them partnership or not, but having partnered with them makes the space feel extra special to me! 

For my primary bathroom renovation in the new house, I had the pleasure of working with Emily Becker Fasano, great-granddaughter of the founder of Torrco! After walking around the Showroom with Emily, even sitting in several tubs to see about sizing, we sat down at her desk and decided on fixtures, finishes, mirrors, the tub, and toilet. It was a lot of decision making, but I never felt overwhelmed once thanks to Emily’s expertise and patience! 

I Like Big Slab And I Cannot Lie

Using oversized porcelain slabs for my shower walls was the first decision I was absolutely certain of when designing my primary bathroom. In my mind, there was no other option. I fell in love with the sleek, edgy look that you get from a veiny, floor to ceiling slab. I wanted to achieve an elevated coastal vibe in our primary bathroom and these slabs helped achieve this! I love how the golden, sandy undertones in the slabs play into the luxurious coastal feel.             

While it wasn’t my original plan, I ended up using the same porcelain slab for my vanity countertop (just in the ½ inch thickness vs. the ¼ inch thickness that was used for the shower walls). I’m so glad I did because the cohesiveness feels extra luxurious! 

A cautionary tale…installing extra-large porcelain slabs in your next home renovation project is not for the faint of heart. The process takes a longggg time and I plan on discussing it in-depth in a future blog post! Feel free to reach out if you have specific questions! I will say though, even knowing what I know now, I’d still 150% choose to do it again.           

Selecting Tile with Lima Tile in Stamford, CT

I purchased all of my tile for my previous kitchen and bathroom renovations from Lima Tile in Stamford, CT. I had a great experience with Lima the first time around, so partnering with them on this bathroom reno felt like a no-brainer! In addition to Lima Tile being a local, family-owned business, they offer competitive prices, a huge selection, and have knowledgeable staff ready to assist you in their showroom. 

One of the things I love most about tile is also one of the things that stresses me out the most about tile: endless options and possibilities. During my first renovation I was totally overwhelmed with all of the tile choices. I walked into Lima Tile knowing exactly what tile I wanted for my shower walls, but I had no idea what tile to use for my bathroom floor. The associate helping me, after locating the exact scalloped tile I imagined for the shower walls, actually pulled several options for the floor, laid them in front of me, and said, “Okay, pick one of these.”  The associate’s expertise was exactly what I needed at that moment to combat feeling overwhelmed from all the beautiful options! 

For my luxurious, coastal primary bathroom renovation I opted for Calacatta Marble Hexagon tiles for my shower floor and light beige/grey faux wood tile for the bathroom floor. A year in and I couldn’t be happier with my choices! 

Jewelry For My Custom White Oak Vanity

It was love at first sight from the moment I stumbled across Modern Matter while scrolling Instagram. Modern Matter, born from the idea of turning jewelry into hardware, believes in creating beautifully innovative pieces to complement your home. Their artisanal pieces are all handcrafted from 100% solid brass featuring unique semi-precious and natural gemstones. 

Having custom cabinetry in my bathroom was something I’d only ever dreamed of. Finally getting to design my custom vanity for this project was a dream come true! Truth be told, this vanity sat hardware-less for the better part of a year. That’s right, I used good-ole-fashion masking tape to open and close the drawers and cabinets. Embarrassing, I know, but I didn’t take the hardware selection process lightly. I knew whatever I picked had to be perfect, and patience definitely paid off here because I couldn’t be happier with my matte brass hardware from Modern Matter!

For the drawers I opted for these vintage-inspired bamboo drop pulls. They’re the perfect balance of weighty and commanding, while also breathing the right amount of sophistication into the space.

For the cabinets, these Lane 1.40″ Custom Knobs featuring Moonstone in a Satin Brass Matte finish are the definition of swoon worthy! I had so much fun selecting the perfect knobs to compliment the bamboo drop pulls. If you’re the kind of person who loves making a statement in your home design, I’d recommend The Lane Knob with Prehnite or Amazonite to really add a pop of color to your space! 

While not featured in my bathroom, Modern Matter offers a beautiful selection of backplates if you’re looking to customize your hardware even more! The Jones or Benson 5″ Backplates are already on my mind for my next design project! 

Everything PLUS The Sink – The Details

Below is the complete list of project details.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out via email or IG DM with any questions! 

Faucets –  Brand: Newport Brass, Finish: Satin Brass, Style: Miro, Sourced: Torrco

This time around I wanted to go in a completely different direction with my sink faucets. They have a lower spout, which I really love because their lower profile doesn’t compete with the oversized mirrors at all. What I really fell in love with, though, were the handles that resemble a boat’s propeller. 

Sinks – Brand: Toto, Style: Undercounter Sanagloss Cotton 19×12

Pro-Tip: The look of rectangular sinks is becoming increasingly popular, and as someone who once had a legit rectangular sink, 90 degree angles and all, I wouldn’t recommend it. Makeup and toothpaste and whatever else you can imagine get stuck in the corners and it’s a nuisance to constantly keep on top of. So basically, unless you enjoy cleaning your sink corners every day, go with this hybrid option instead! This Toto sink has a rectangular opening, but it slopes down to the drain in a way that mimics a typical circular sink. Read as: you get the sleek look without any of the hassle! I would 10/10 recommend these sinks! 

Toilet – Brand: DXV, Style: AT200LS, Finish: Canvas White, Sourced: Torrco

If you want the ultimate luxury in your bathroom, splurge for this toilet! We’ve nicknamed it “The Spaceship” because it’s so high-tech. The heated toilet seat was the feature that sold me on this toilet, and all the other bells and whistles were just bonuses! It has a motion sensor so the toilet lid lifts up as you approach and goes down on its own once you step away. On top of that, it automatically flushes for you AND it has a full on bidet with adjustable nozzles and water temp. It’s energy efficient, water efficient, and has a night light feature!

The takeaway: I never thought I’d be singing a toilet’s praises so much, but this toilet is amazing. It’s got a hefty price tag and if you can swing it, it’s worth it!

Soaking Tub – Brand: MTI, Style: Hamilton, Finish: White Glossy, Sourced: Torrco

Did you know when it comes to tubs, size matters? And bigger isn’t necessarily better? Getting to test out tub sizes in Torrco’s showroom was hilarious and such a fun experience. Emily was so helpful in guiding me through what size would be appropriate based on my size. What I learned is you don’t want your tub too large because if your feet can’t reach the other end then you’ll constantly be sliding down and won’t be comfortable.

MTI is based in Atlanta, Georgia and I’m a HUGE fan of their mineral composite tub. It’s beautiful, classic, and so well made! MTI is dedicated to respect, responsibility, and resourcefulness, which are pillars I think we can all get behind!

Tub Kit: Brand: Newport, Style: Miro & Fairfield, Finish: Satin Brass, Sourced: Torrco 

When Emily showed me the Newport Brass tub filler/faucet option that reminded me of a vintage rotary phone handset, I knew it was game over. I mean, come on, this thing is a work of art! 

Mirrors – Brand: Robern, Style: Vitality Sculpt Lighted, Sourced: Torrco

Okayyy let me go off about these mirrors for a second. They’re NEXT LEVEL. If you want the best lighting to do your makeup, get these lighted mirrors. Not only are they beautiful whether they’re lit up or not, but they also have a built-in heater to prevent them from ever fogging up even if you take the steamiest of steamy showers. Trust me, I’ve put them to the test!  

As it might now be apparent, I did not hold back when designing this bathroom and I’m so glad I didn’t! These mirrors were a splurge, but I can’t imagine having a bathroom without these mirrors! That’s how good they are.  

Pro-Tip: I’m pretty sure each mirror needed 2 outlets (one for the lighting portion and one for the built in heater). Just make sure your electrician is aware of the specs of these mirrors so you’re all on the same page! 

Wall-Mounted Shower Head & Shower Wand – Brand: Newport, Finish: Satin Brass, Sourced: Torrco

I don’t have too much to say about these pieces other than I’m a huge fan! A shower wand is a must-have in my opinion. It makes cleaning your shower so much easier! While you might think, wow that looks wonky, at first if you’re not used to the wand style, I promise it’ll grow on you! 

“Rain Machine” Shower Head – Brand: Jaclo, Style: 10in Round Rain Machine, Finish: Satin Brass, Sourced: Torrco

I always call these rainforest shower heads and I’m pretty sure that originates from a trip to Costa Rica where we were legit in the middle of the rainforest and had a rain head shower. Anyway! I love the fact that Jaclo named this style the “rain machine” because boy, is it! The satin brass finish matches my Newport fixtures seamlessly, so don’t hesitate at all if you decide to mix and match the two brands. Emily at Torrco said this was the way to go and I’m so glad I went with her recommendation!  

Shower Drain – Brand: Newport, Style: Decorative 4in, Finish: Satin Brass, Sourced: Torrco

Prior to this project I never knew a shower drain could be so pretty! I love how this small detail makes such an impact alongside the marble tile floor of the shower. Now that I’ve been introduced to decorative drains, there is no going back! It would be like putting on a beautiful pair of sandals with unpainted toenails. 

Cabinet Hardware – Brand: Modern Matter, Styles: Bamboo Drop Pull, The Lane Knob 1.5″ with Moonstone, Finish: Satin Brass Matte

Soap, Shampoo, Conditioner Dispensers – Brand: The Polished Jar, Click to Shop

I love the luxury feel these custom soap dispensers provide! You can completely customize each dispenser by selecting the size, material (plastic or glass), color, pump color & material, and whatever you’d like the labels to say! 

Additionally, I love how these luxe dispensers are a more sustainable option! Whenever possible, I purchase bulk refills in flexible packaging to reduce waste.

Pro Tip: A set of The Polished Jar dispensers would make such a great housewarming or hosting gift!

Chandelier –  Brand: Serena & Lily, Click To Shop

Stool – Brand: Serena & Lily, Click To Shop

Towels – Brand: Red Land Cotton, Click To Shop

Towel Bar, Toilet Paper Holder, Towel Hooks – Brand: Rejuvenation, Click To Shop Toilet Paper Holder // Towel Bar // Towel Hooks 

Photo Credit: Julia D’Agostino Pierce