Podcast Summary: Dear Alice | Interior Design

Episode: Transform Your Bathroom: Expert Interior Design Tricks

Released: November 27, 2025
Hosts: Jessica Bennett (A), Suzanne Hall (B), and (C) [unidentified third co-host]
Key Theme:
A master class on transforming bathrooms with expert interior design tricks, responding to a listener’s question about remodeling a historic home’s bathroom with timeless, spa-like results.

Episode Overview

This special Thanksgiving-themed episode dives deep into bathroom design. Prompted by a listener's question, the hosts break down their favorite design solutions—from layout fundamentals to luxe material hacks—to help listeners create beautiful, timeless bathrooms that work as well as they look. They share detailed walk-throughs of three favorite portfolio projects: a primary bathroom remodel and two new builds, revealing both practical takeaways and distinctive Alice Lane style.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Listener Question & Design Goals (05:45–06:54)

• Listener Amy Osterhagen is remodeling a 1910 bathroom, seeking to blend traditional charm, a touch of modern, spa serenity, and durability with historic harmony.
• Hosts emphasize: bathrooms and kitchens are the most expensive rooms per square foot, making them “high stakes” design zones.

2. Grand Tour Estate Primary Bathroom Remodel (06:55–21:40)

Problems with Original Layout:

• Small, cramped primary bath from early 2000s with awkward angles, heavy wood cabinetry, cheap travertine, and poor lighting.
• “You’d almost be cheek to cheek getting ready… talking over your shoulder to your spouse.” (08:56, A)

Key Solutions:

• Reimagined Space Planning:

  • Don’t assume architect’s original layout is optimal. “The bathroom and kitchen always have to be reworked. 95% of the time, they're not smart.” (11:08, B)
  • Engage with your needs (“the better the prompt, the better the answer”—11:15, A) and give designers specifics about habits, storage, and rituals.

• Optimized Storage:

  • Removed the tower splitting dual vanities (which blocks interaction). Instead, provided wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling vertical storage for generous, organized space—"That's like your primary closet in your bedroom right now. Seriously, look at the amount of space." (17:13, A)
  • “Consider the vertical storage. Consider where you can actually optimize your vanities.” (13:23, B)

Sconces & Lighting:

• “If you learn nothing today, the best solution for bathrooms, especially bathrooms that you get ready in, [is] to sconce on both sides of your face… You want a glass sconce with multiple light bulbs in it.” (16:14, A)
• Halloween face warning: “The light is shining down from up above… you get shadows from your eyebrows covering your eyes. You've never looked worse… This is never a good solution.” (14:30, A)
• Avoid sconces with fabric shades or single bulbs—go for glass with multiple bulbs at face height.

Wet Room & Spa Feel:

• Created a combined shower-and-tub “wet room.”
  • “You kind of have to maybe employ this trick: to put that tub inside what we call a wet room… it just kind of becomes a very spa-like experience.” (18:53, B)
  • Practical for busy families and adds luxury, privacy, and function.
• “Mom being able to go into the wet room, close that glass door...you would really feel secluded and quiet.” (19:06, A)
• Always include a bench or perch in the shower for comfort/safety.

Materials:

• Primary bath calls for real marble (“a living finish that just feels more luxurious... adds a ton of value to the home”—20:43–21:24, A).
• “Large format, tight grout... makes it feel almost like a slab—a monolith of stone.” (21:24, B)

3. Tiger Oak Primary Bathroom – New Build, Historic Feel (21:41–34:06)

Vanity Breakthrough:

• For clients with a lot of products, consider omitting the second sink to gain counter space.
  • “No one is going to dare not put a sink in their vanity. But this bathroom is absolutely proof positive that you can do it.” (23:23, A)
  • One large integrated stone sink set into the window wall with double faucets; two wide vanity areas for prep.
  • “You don't need to be standing in front of the mirror to brush your teeth… you don't need to see each other doing that.” (23:15, B)

Selecting Materials & Colors:

• Fall in love with your slab—visit a yard and pick it yourself for the real hero of your bathroom (24:19, B).
• “Spread your paint deck out on that slab and choose the right color that gets along with that field color of the stone.” (25:16, A)

Custom Cabinetry Details:

• Use a “pencil mold” trim instead of standard shaker for doors and drawers—feels grander, less busy, more flexible for hardware placement (26:31–27:03, B/C).
• “Molded toe kick” creates a built-in, antique appearance (27:19, C).

Integrated Mirrors & Lighting:

• Mirrors framed within wall paneling rather than wall-to-wall glass for intentionality and rhythm.
• Sconces mounted on the mirror to double the light—a designer go-to.
• Space-expanding: Diagonal flooring patterns make the room feel larger (29:04, A).

Refined Marble Floor Pattern:

• Diamonds outlined with black marble; all joints mitered for a luxury “designer handbag” finish (29:48–30:13, C).

Secret Storage – The “Tampon Closet” Hack:

• Built a hidden jib door in the potty closet for extra rolls and feminine products.
• “If you can put it in your potty closet, it'll save your marriage, it'll save your anxiety. You won't see any of those fluorescent boxes ever again.” (31:31, B)
• Wallpaper the door and center any bold prints for a polished look (32:39, A).

Elevated Tub Platform:

• Freestanding tub set on a raised slab platform—adds grandeur and visual separation.
• “The extra credit because we use slab for the tub deck...gave it a wedding cake effect and made it really, really special.” (33:42–34:05, A)

4. Windsor Manor Primary Bath – New Build, Ultimate Marble Tub (34:07–41:38)

Hero Tub:

• A fully sculpted freestanding marble tub sets the tone.
  • “You want to sort of develop your hero early on...everything bowed down to that.” (35:28, A)
• Value engineer by using marble tile as wainscot behind the tub instead of all slab.

Tile Rhythm & Consistency:

• Wainscot height matches adjacent shower pony wall for visual flow.
• Large format marble tiles in shower = “slab look.”
• Choose small marble tiles or mosaics on shower floor for grip (“We do not want to put rubber grippies on your marble floor”—37:18, A)

Tile the Ceiling!

• “Even if it's your kid’s shower, tile the ceiling. It feels so much more grand...like you're going into this portal.” (37:39, B)

Shower Niches—Function Meets Aesthetics:

• “The dimensions of your niche matter.” (38:00, B)
• Plan for what you actually use (“If you buy your shampoo at Costco…you’ll need at least 14 inches from that shelf to the top of the niche”—39:41, B)
• Place niches out of immediate sightline if possible; always clad in marble for elegance.

Makeup Vanities & Waterfall Detail:

• If space allows, include a makeup vanity drop-down, with countertop “waterfalling” down and across for continuity and luxury feel (40:09–40:37, B/A).
• Ensure sitting vanity is lower than standing countertop for comfort.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Form follows function… The bathroom and kitchen always have to be reworked.” (11:08, B)
• “If you learn nothing today…you want a Sconce on both sides of your face…white glass, full-size light bulbs on each side.” (16:14, A)
• “Don’t just take architect’s plans at face value…think about how you want the space to feel and look, because I guarantee you it could always be better.” (11:08, B)
• “This trick had to be told on Transform Your Bathroom…no one dares to omit a sink, but it’s proof you can do it [and gain counter space].” (23:23, A)
• “If you can put [a hidden tampon closet] in your potty closet, it'll save your marriage, it'll save your anxiety.” (31:31, B)
• “You want to develop your hero early on… everything bows down to that.” (35:28, A)

Timestamps for Essential Segments

• [05:45] Listener Amy’s bathroom question – setting up the episode’s focus
• [06:55] Grand Tour Estate: reimagining a 2000’s bathroom, layout, storage, lighting
• [13:23] Hot tips on vertical storage and sconce placement in the bath
• [19:22] Creation of the wet room & spa concept
• [21:41] Tiger Oak: historic new build, vanities-without-sinks innovation
• [27:19] Cabinetry details: pencil mold, hardware flexibility
• [29:04] Space-expanding diagonal marble floor pattern
• [31:31] Hidden “tampon closet” design hack
• [34:07] Windsor Manor: sculpted marble tub as centerpiece, marble everywhere
• [37:39] Grandness of tiling the shower ceiling
• [38:00] Planning functional shower niches
• [40:09] Make-up vanity, waterfall detail, and leveled countertop tip
• [42:41] Final rapid-fire pro tips and recaps

Takeaway Recap – Alice Lane’s Ultimate Bathroom Tricks

• Rethink the original plan—prioritize how you want the space to function.
• Storage: Go vertical, wall-to-wall for maximized efficiency.
• Lighting: Always sconces on both sides of your face with glass and multiple bulbs for best grooming light.
• Materials: Marble is ideal for primary and powder baths—creates lasting value and a spa vibe.
• Accessibility: Ensure shower benches/stools are included.
• Wet rooms: Combine shower and tub for luxury and practicality.
• Think outside tradition: Omit double sinks for counter space; hidden storage for daily items prevents clutter.
• Celebrate “the hero”: Choose a star material or fixture, and let the rest of the design serve it.
• Custom cabinetry: Pencil mold trims, molded toe kicks, detailed mirror framing.
• Shower: Smart niches, tile the ceiling, match tile scale to use (mosaic for grips, large for drama).
• Always “try on” tubs if you plan to actually soak!
• Hardware height and placement should be owner-driven, not builder-default.

For Listeners Remodeling or Designing

This episode is packed with visual and practical takeaways—even if your home isn’t a turn-of-the-century estate. The hosts offer wit and warmth with their advice, demystifying the expert touches that make Alice Lane bathrooms feel magazine-worthy yet truly livable.

If you need more than inspiration, re-listen with your contractor or designer: these are the details that prevent expensive (and ugly) mistakes!

For visuals and referenced portfolio projects, visit Alice Lane’s website. [Episode available on YouTube and Spotify for photographic walkthroughs.]