Award Winning Bathroom Remodel | Apex Construction MN

Transcending Dimension

15 January 2026

Bathroom with marble countertop, gold faucet, wooden cabinets, and glass shower.

NARI MN RotY Awards 2024 Residential Bath $40,000 - $70,000

Big Order

Biggest challenge in this St. Paul craftsman style home's primary bath was trying to fit a full bathroom with a shower and soaking tub in a tiny 2nd floor attic space. The upper level housed the primary bedroom and bathroom. Our clients desired a working shower and a freestanding tub. The plumbing was not working when they moved into the house and they had to share a main floor bathtub/shower with their two small children.

Their bathroom was extremely dated and the ceiling was sloped and low, even at its highest point. We came up with a few different options for our clients to consider. By incorporating the window into the shower, we were able to maximize the square footage of the shower by spanning it across the end of the bathroom. We added a built-in bench and shampoo niche in the shower, and added towel hooks inside the shower at the end. A necessary solution given there was no other wall space for them.

We opened up more space in the bathroom by removing walls between the existing bathroom and the storage alcoves. This allowed us to use those areas for the new bathtub and vanity. We also pushed the side walls back wherever possible by utilizing some of the attic storage space behind the existing bathroom. Creativity was key in making every square inch count!

One of our other challenges was finding a bathtub small enough to fit the alcove space we had available in the new layout, plus finding a bathtub that would fit up their very narrow staircase! It was not an easy feat, but we were able to find a small-scale tub that would fit. It is quite compact, but it is also deep. Our clients are thrilled with it, and now they can enjoy a little relaxation in their very own adult bathroom.

“…Creativity was key in making every square inch count!”

Bathroom with arched niche, wooden shelves holding plants and decor; gold faucet.

We even added an arched niche with shelving by pushing into the “attic” space behind the wall.

NARI MN RotY Awards 2024 Residential Bath $40,000 - $70,000

Bathroom design concept board with white and brass fixtures.

For the overall aesthetic, we wanted to respect the architecture of the home. The house was originally built in 1939 and belonged to our client's grandparents. It was important that the materials we chose would be representative of the era. We also wanted to achieve a classic and timeless look that our clients would be happy with for many years to come.

We chose black walnut for the custom cabinetry, carrara marble countertops and shower tile, and white porcelain tile with veining for the main bathroom floor. Wall sconces and recessed lighting worked well with the low ceilings.

NARI MN RotY Awards 2024 Residential Bath $40,000 - $70,000

Floor Plans

NARI MN RotY Awards 2024 Residential Bath $40,000 - $70,000

That was Then

before

Beige tiled shower with silver showerhead and soap dish. Angled ceiling.

Small shower with beige tiles, a showerhead, and a small appliance.

Bathroom interior with a window, vanity, mirror, and medicine cabinet, white cabinets, and a vent in the ceiling.

White bathroom with sink, vanity, toilet, and tiled wall.

White cabinets with a countertop, tissue box, and paper towels in a small alcove.

White cabinet above patterned tile floor with a scale.

Bathroom floor with patterned tiles, gray bath mat, white toilet, and cabinet.

Small bathroom with white tiled walls and toilet. Toilet paper holder on the wall, and cabinets above.

NARI MN RotY Awards 2024 Residential Bath $40,000 - $70,000

This is Now

We love how this bathroom turned out. It is truly a classic beauty! Our clients are overjoyed to have such a lovely space with all of the amenities they desired. They are able to enjoy raising their children in their family “legacy” home.

AFTER

Bathroom with white tub, light gray walls, wooden shelves with decor, and a towel hanging.

Bathroom with wood cabinets, glass shower, round mirror, white tile, and a neutral rug.

Bathroom with white tile shower, toilet, gold fixtures, and two framed pictures on a gray wall.

NARI MN RotY Awards 2024 Residential Bath $40,000 - $70,000

This is Now

AFTER

Bathroom vanity with wooden cabinet, gold hardware, round mirror, and gray walls.

Bathroom with light gray tiled walls, built-in shelf holding soap and plant, marble bench with towel.

Bathroom vanity with marble countertop, gold faucet, and wooden cabinets. Dried flowers in a vase and soap dispenser.

NARI MN RotY Awards 2024 Residential Bath $40,000 - $70,000

"Our massive challenge was tiny space."

We had to use every square inch we could for storage and functionality. Claiming unusable unsightly areas just outside the original 3/4 bath, we were able to create the luxurious grown up full bath with soaking tub the homeowners dreamed of. This impossible space is fitted with just as many full sized features found in much larger bathing rooms, yet does not feel cramped at all. A prime example of dimensional transcendence.

Comparison of building footprints, showing the original footprint and a larger, new footprint in gray.

-before

It is difficult to communicate through pictures just how small this attic space truly is.

Bedroom hallway with a dark blue wall on either side leading to a bathroom.

A cluttered closet with a dismantled crib, shelves, and various items.

A white dresser and vacuum cleaner are in a small closet; a bathroom is visible through a doorway.

Open doorway reveals a bathroom and a small storage space with a rocking chair.

-AFTER-
The new vanity and free-standing tub occupy what was once unusable space.

Bathroom vanity with a round mirror, gold faucet and hardware, wooden cabinets, and white countertop.

Bathroom with a white soaking tub, arched shelf niche, and gold fixtures. A white towel hangs on the wall.

NARI MN RotY Awards 2024 Residential Bath $40,000 - $70,000

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Replacing the window with one appropriate for wet areas, we created a spacious shower complete with niche, bench, and hook that allows light to flood into the room.