How do you turn a dated bathroom into a temple of well-being? Caryl Hoffman has the design chops, practical know-how and project portfolio to answer the question with ease and in photographic detail. For almost 20 years, she has run CK Hoffman Design from her Forest Heights home, helping families and businesses across the west side create inspiring environments that work.
“Most of my residential clients live in homes that are 10-25 years old and need cosmetic updates. Many have already remodeled their kitchens. Bathrooms are the next piece.”
Even repeat customers can be surprised by the cost.
“Bathrooms are small but complex. There’s a lot of plumbing, for example. So they run more per square foot than kitchens.”
In Caryl’s practice, the average bathroom remodel ranges from $30,000-40,000. That’s a hefty price tag considering that you can expect to recoup only about 63-74 percent of your investment in resale value, depending on whether the project is upscale or midrange. (For a “cost vs value” report with 2016 data for Portland, click here.)
But can you put a price on a “spa-like retreat” in your own home? Those words are most often used by Caryl’s clients to describe the look and feel of an ideal bathroom. “Fresh” and “relaxing” also come up frequently.
A recent project in Forest Heights lives up to all those descriptors. Though in good condition, the existing fiberglass shower, bold teal accent wall and seafoam blue ceramic tile reflected the home’s age (1994) and a workaday approach to personal hygiene. Caryl transformed the space with a thoughtful mix of trends, inexpensive standbys, some pricy materials and timeless workmanship.
- The taupe and cream palette is sophisticated and restful
- Handsome and high-end, mosaic tile accents and quartz counters add texture, contrast and personality
- As do handy tile niches, glass shelves, matte stainless steel fixtures, a framed mirror and pops of color
- Large-format field tiles and a frameless glass door give the walk-in shower a calm and spacious look, though only a few inches were added to its footprint
- The sink and tub are standard issue, but dressed up with under-mounting and an elegant surround
- The fold-up teak bench, grab bar and spray hose in the shower will allow the owners to age in place
Caryl has a strong record of completing projects on time, on budget and to high quality standards. Having bought and remodeled many rental properties with her husband, a mortgage banker, she is a veteran contractor. Careful planning and excellent, hands-on relationships with subcontractors carry the day.
“Each member of my team has expertise to share and contributes to the project’s success – not least my clients. I’m focused on their needs and wishes from start to finish.”
With an eye for the big picture and all the details, Caryl thinks of everything. For example, here’s her recipe for an aromatherapy salt bath. Enjoy!
- 10 drops of essential oil e.g., lavender, rosemary or eucalyptus
- 1/4 cup sea salt or Himalayan salt
- 1/4 cup Epsom salt
- 1/4 cup baking soda
- 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
