We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs.
When designer Lisa Checo, founder of OOAK Design Studio, first saw the bathroom inside this one-story ranch home in Los Angeles, she immediately understood the assignment: transform a cramped, dated space into something warm, thoughtful, and family-friendly, all without losing the spirit of the house.
With a baby on the way, the homeowners needed a bathtub and better functionality. But Checo also saw an opportunity to push the design further, blending the relaxed sensibility ranches are known for with subtle English-inspired details. Think: wood accents, traditional molding, and soft, timeless materials. “It was a small project, but it gave us the opportunity to get incredibly granular with the details,” Checo says. Read on for a closer look at her choices.
Use a Pony Wall to Create Privacy in a Tight Layout
In the room’s original configuration, the toilet sat directly beside the glassed-in shower stall—a little too close for comfort. Checo introduced a pony wall to create a sense of privacy without making the already-compact space feel even smaller. A sliding door would normally be the go-to for the new tub-shower orientation, but Checo went for a half-panel door instead, making it easier for the couple to reach their child comfortably during bath time.
Even the toilet itself was a calculated decision. “Toilets are such an overlooked element in bathrooms, but it’s just as important, especially in a small space like this, to choose something that feels like it’s within the right design period,” Checo explains.
Layer, But Keep the Details Simple
Material selection was the heart of the project. Checo fearlessly layered multiple textures, from wood slats and marble to zellige tile and woven wallpaper. “You can add a lot of materials if you’re thoughtful about proportion,” she says. Another trick to keeping the space from feeling too busy? Opting for restrained design details, like a simple bullnose edge on the vanity countertop and inset medicine cabinets.
Don’t Be Afraid of Wallpaper in a Bathroom
Though some designers avoid wallpaper in bathrooms for fear of the humidity, Checo and the homeowners decided the visual payoff was worth the risk, especially when limited to a swath of wall behind the vanity. “They knew it might need to be replaced eventually, but it adds so much warmth to the room,” she notes.
When the Perfect Tile Doesn’t Exist, Commission It
Sometimes, though, you do have to pivot. When their original tile choice went out of stock, Checo decided to partner with Zellige Home to develop a custom color in the exact hexagonal shape she envisioned. The result makes the unexpected challenge feel serendipitous—it ties everything together and grounds the room’s muted, earthy palette.
In the end, it’s not just the materials themselves that matter, but how they relate to each other. “There’s no real rulebook when you’re sourcing pieces from so many places,” Checo says. “But if you understand scale and stay focused on quality, it all comes together.”
