When the Other Rooms Catch Up 

Kitchens and primary bathrooms tend to steal the spotlight. They’re the showstoppers — the spaces our clients dream about, pin, save, and proudly show off when friends come over. And yes, we love designing those rooms.

But real life happens everywhere else, too.

For a multi-project client family of Senior Designer Alicia Saso, that realization came a few years after completing a kitchen remodel with Drury Design in 2022, followed by their primary bathroom. The big projects were done. Alicia even redesigned their staircase. The home felt refreshed. And yet, upstairs, a few hardworking spaces were quietly lagging behind.

Their boys were getting older. The laundry room was worn and dark. The hall bath — often used by guests — still had a tub that wasn’t ideal for visiting parents. None of it was broken beyond repair, but all of it had reached that familiar moment: “this no longer fits who we are right now.”

Staying Put – and Making the House Catch Up

Alicia’s clients love their neighborhood. They love their home. But instead of thinking about the next house, they chose to think about the next chapter in this one.

That decision shaped everything about this phase of the remodel. Rather than tackling rooms one at a time over many years, they worked with Senior Designer Alicia Saso to thoughtfully update the boys’ Jack & Jill bathroom, the hall bath, and the laundry room together — aligning function, materials, and budget across all three spaces.

Having remodeled with Alicia before, the conversations were honest and efficient. Where the kitchen and primary bath earned the biggest design investments, these rooms needed to be durable, cohesive, and quietly elevated — without trying to be something they weren’t. 

A Jack & Jill That Actually Works

Jack & Jill bathrooms can be polarizing. Some homeowners want them gone. For this family, the layout is a win — especially because each boy already had his own sink area.

That separation was preserved and improved, reducing daily friction and keeping mornings moving smoothly. The shared tub and toilet area remained practical for kids, while upgraded finishes and fixtures made the space feel intentional rather than tired.

Color played an important role here. The goal wasn’t to create a magazine-ready bathroom — it was to design a kids’ space that felt warm, grounded, and lasting. Earthy tones, thoughtful tile choices, and a palette that complements the rest of the home keep the room from feeling trendy or disposable.

A Hall Bath That Welcomes Guests

In the hall bath, function led the way. Visiting parents meant a bathtub was no longer the best solution, so it was replaced with a walk-in shower — easier to use, easier to navigate, and better suited for guests of all ages.

While smaller in footprint, the space still received careful attention to cabinetry, lighting, and finishes. It feels considered and comfortable, not like an afterthought. Exactly what a guest bath should be.

Laundry — Brighter, Calmer, More Useful

The laundry room already had a good footprint, but it wasn’t working as hard as it could. Cabinetry stopped short of the ceiling, collecting dust instead of storing essentials. Dark finishes made the room feel heavier than it needed to.

The solution was straightforward and impactful: cabinetry brought all the way up, lighter finishes, better storage, and a cleaner visual rhythm. The result is a room that feels brighter and more inviting — which matters when it’s a space you return to again and again.

Why Doing It Together Matters

One of the advantages of tackling these rooms as a group was the ability to create cohesion without excess. Shared materials — including the same quartz used across all three spaces — helped tie everything together visually while also unlocking efficiencies.

Just as important, Alicia helped her clients prioritize. Not every room needs the same level of investment, and not every surface needs to make a statement. The goal was balance — a home that feels consistent, thoughtful, and ready for the next stage of family life.

A Familiar Process — and a Trusted Team

This wasn’t the family’s first experience remodeling with Drury Design, and that familiarity mattered. Working with the same designer and crew brought confidence and ease. The process felt organized, predictable, and steady — even when surprises inevitably popped up behind the walls.

The Big Picture

Not every remodel needs to be a headline project. Sometimes, the most meaningful upgrades are the ones that quietly improve daily life — smoother mornings, easier laundry days, and guest spaces that feel welcoming instead of outdated.

For this family, this phase of remodeling was about honoring the home they already love and letting it grow alongside their family.