This bathroom remodel in Manlius NY involved converting an outdated tub into a walk-in shower while upgrading the vanity, lighting, and flooring.
Nick and Kim had already worked with Bath Pros earlier in the year when we completed their master bathroom remodel in Manlius, NY. When they called again in early spring about renovating their second bathroom, they were already familiar with the materials we use and the level of craftsmanship we aim to deliver. After discussing a few ideas for the space, they were ready to move forward almost immediately.
Now enjoying their retirement years in Manlius, they frequently babysit their grandchildren — and as any grandparent knows, kids can be messy. The goal for this bathroom was to create a space that could handle everyday use without looking overly utilitarian. Because the bathroom was used frequently by visiting family, durability and ease of cleaning became two of the most important design priorities. For homeowners weighing options like acrylic, tile, or solid surface shower materials, those factors often play a major role in determining what will actually perform well over time. We ultimately proposed a durable, easy-to-maintain bathroom that would still feel like a meaningful upgrade to the home.
Before renovation began, the bathroom had several limitations. The original tub layout made the space feel tight, lighting was dated, and the tile wainscoting locked the room into an older design. Because the tile was installed over drywall, the only practical way to update the space was to remove everything down to the studs and start fresh.
The existing bathroom included tile wainscoting that could only be removed by taking the drywall down to the studs. Because of that, we planned a full gut renovation. The project included removing the original tub, installing a custom Onyx Collection walk-in shower, replacing the vanity with a semi-custom Fabuwood cabinet, updating lighting, installing new flooring, and repainting the room. This was one of those projects where the best approach was simple: do the work once and do it properly.
During demolition we also discovered an unusual access hatch inside the closet that appeared to have once functioned as a laundry chute. While it no longer served a purpose, removing it allowed us to properly install the new flooring and eliminate a structural interruption in the subfloor.
For the vanity, we custom designed and ordered a 1-inch thick Onyx Collection vanity top to coordinate with the shower walls. The color, Adriatic, is a light blue cultured stone that has become one of our most requested options. Paired with a circular bowl and American Standard Rumson faucets, the result is a clean and timeless vanity area.
Cultured stone was selected for the shower because it provides the appearance of tile without the long-term maintenance concerns associated with grout. For a guest bathroom that will see frequent use from visiting family, this combination of durability and easy cleaning made it an ideal choice.
For the shower, we installed a mid-height Onyx Collection shower pan in Carrara paired with Adriatic wall panels. The panels feature a molded subway-tile pattern, giving the appearance of tile without the maintenance issues that grout can introduce over time. Because the bathroom will often be used by visiting family, a Liberty tall corner caddy was installed to provide convenient storage without crowding the shower space.
To make cleaning easier, the homeowners chose an American Standard magnetic shower head and handheld wand combination. The sliding glass shower doors were custom-measured and manufactured to fit the opening precisely.
After using the lighted mirror we installed in their master bathroom earlier in the year, the homeowners asked us to include the same feature here. Each sink now has its own illuminated mirror with built-in features such as defogging, brightness control, and adjustable color temperature. These mirrors provide excellent task lighting while also giving the room a more modern feel.
Once the renovation was complete, the transformation was dramatic. What had once been a dated and somewhat dark bathroom now feels bright, clean, and welcoming. The cultured stone surfaces tie the entire room together, while the illuminated mirrors highlight the new vanity area in a way that most people don’t fully appreciate until they see it in person.
The homeowners were extremely happy with the result. In fact, they joked that their grandkids now argue over who gets to use the shower first — and honestly, we can’t really blame them. If you’d like to see more bathrooms we’ve completed for homeowners throughout the Syracuse area, you can explore additional projects in our bathroom remodeling portfolio.
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This project was another successful bathroom remodel completed right here in Manlius, NY, and we were grateful for the opportunity to work with this family again. Bath Pros is a locally owned remodeling company founded in Manlius, specializing in carefully planned bathroom renovations throughout the Syracuse and Central New York region.