From Golden Oak to Glam

[Aubrey Costello, Showplace Cabinetry]

Story by Tracy Nicholson
Photography by Dan Francis Photography

From left, Aubrey Costello and homeowner, Kitsy Radermacher

Back in 2008, Mark and Kitsy Radermacher purchased a beautiful home in a tree-lined neighborhood in West Fargo, where they planned to start their next chapter. Five years ago, they reached out to Aubrey Costello at Showplace Cabinetry to update their golden oak kitchen, and this month, we'll show you their latest collaboration. In their second round of remodels, Costello tackled their golden oak bathroom, transforming it into a whiter, brighter space with a modern fusion of spa-inspired glam.

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Goodbye, Golden Oak!

With two grown kids, now in their 30s, the Radermachers have spent the last few years settling in and updating their home to suit their modern-day needs. The kitchen was remodeled in December of 2013, so it was time to take on another space that would offer them and their guests a first-rate, spa-inspired experience. They also had a wedding on the horizon, so it was important to complete the project within the month-long deadline.

Having worked with Aubrey Costello at Showplace Cabinetry to update their golden oak kitchen, they knew she was the right person to take on the overhaul. The original bathroom had golden oak, from cabinetry to flooring, and gave the smaller, galley-style bathroom a dark and closed-in feel. They also needed to create better storage solutions and more usable countertop space.

Before and After

Hello, Glam!

Kitsy Radermacher knew she wanted a crisp, grey and white bathroom, and when Costello showed her the glimmering Swarovski crystal pulls, it became their shimmering inspiration. The Radermachers also wanted the tub taken out to give them more usable space, replacing it with a high-style shower for guests.

Costello presented various ideas to maximize the space and worked with Radermacher to choose the porcelain herringbone flooring, marble tile, quartz, lighting, mirrors, glass, countertop and plumbing. To complete the bathroom's new layout and additional lighting, Costello worked closely with C&N Remodeling to whiten and brighten the once dark space.

To complement the crystal pulls, they chose white-painted cabinetry in a shaker style, along with custom made mirrors, polished nickel fixtures and sleek Q Quartz around the double sinks. Framing the mirror, Radermacher chose lighting from Ferguson, but opted to flip the install, making the detail of the fixtures stand out and collect less dust.

Shower Chic

"I wanted to do something creative with the shower, so Aubrey came up with this marble tile design. It was really a lot of work and it was hard on the tile guys," said Radermacher. "Aubrey was great, she hung in there to make sure it got done right and the process went smoothly. Chris Denman from C&N Remodeling was also great to work with; he stays late and works very hard - he was an important part of making sure everything got installed properly."

"The marble tile actually comes that way and you carefully piece it together in this design. We also did a linear drain, which is a unique detail you don't always see in showers," said Costello. "Inside, we did a quartz threshold, ledge and custom niche, along with a custom glass door by Frontier Glass."

"I love this shower, but I really love the brightness of this bathroom, it's much more functional for us," said Kitsy Radermacher.

Spatial Challenges

"One of our biggest challenges was figuring out plans that would work with the existing footprint; we're on a cement slab, so we didn't move any of the plumbing," said Costello. "The space was pretty narrow, so we had to get creative in trying to achieve that open, airy feeling in a smaller bathroom. With this design, I was trying to make it feel as wide as possible, yet stay within budget. We also had to figure out solutions to change the layout of the cabinetry, offering them more practical uses like creating a space for the makeup vanity and an area designated to hide the cat litter."

A Look Back at the Kitchen Remodel:

As the first project Costello worked on with the Radermachers, five years ago, the kitchen's golden oak made way for modern cherry wood with crackle glass door inserts. Working with Showplace Cabinetry and C&N Remodeling, the team designed a new walnut-topped island to offer more efficient flow throughout the space. They also updated the perimeter with new granite countertops and a sleek backsplash designed with copper and crystal accents - a glam accent that carried through to the remodeled bathroom.

"In our old house we had managed projects without the help of a designer, and I learned that it wasn't a good idea," said Radermacher. "When Aubrey did the kitchen, I really learned to trust her and I knew this project would be done right. There never was a battle - she worked with our schedule and presented great ideas for us to discuss."

Find the Finishes:

• Kitchen Design - Aubrey Costello, Showplace Cabinetry
• Cabinets -  Pure White, Showplace Cabinetry
• Contractor - Chris Denman, C&N Remodeling
• Countertops - Q Quartz in Pelican White, Spaulding Stone
• Plumbing & light fixtures - Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery
• Shower marble tile - Jeffery Court brand, Syverson Tile & Stone
• Floor porcelain tile - Installed in a herringbone pattern
• Polished nickel hardware - Schaub and Co.
• Frameless shower door - Frontier Glass

For more information, contact:
Showplace Cabinetry | Aubrey Costello 

• 2553 Kirsten Lane South, Fargo
• 701.365.4455
• Aubrey.Costello@showplacecabinetry.com 
• showplacedesigncenter.com