This radiant renovation reclaimed a 100-year-old bathroom—delivering warmth, comfort, and style for the whole family.
When James and Anne Church moved from San Francisco to Washington D.C. during the 2008 housing crash, they were ready to tackle a big project. Their new home was a 100-year-old fixer-upper in a historic neighborhood—and the upstairs bathroom needed major help.
“We were looking for a place where we could put in some sweat equity and restore the original charm to a 30+-year rental,” James explains.
The upstairs bathroom, plagued by clogs, leaks, and a chipping radiator, was first on their list. After two years of living with it, the couple decided to gut the space and start fresh—keeping only the original clawfoot tub, which they rescued and refinished.
Choosing Radiant Heating for Comfort and Space
For this DIY project, WarmlyYours stood out with trusted recommendations, a great online experience, and custom planning tools.
James’s mother-in-law was one of the first people to recommend radiant floor heating—she’d used it for years and raved about the comfort. That personal endorsement, along with WarmlyYours’ user-friendly website and SmartPlan™ design tool, helped seal the deal.
“While there were many options for vendors, the customer-focused website, custom design software, and a strong recommendation was all it took to pull the trigger on the floor system,” James says.
Because they were doing the renovation themselves, a smooth install process was essential. James was pleasantly surprised.
"As a DIYer renovating my first bathroom, I found the heated floor installation one of the simplest and most straightforward aspects of the renovation,” he says.
By removing the old radiator and adding radiant heat, the couple gained usable space—and peace of mind with a baby on the way.
Smart Layout for a Quirky Bathroom
The WarmlyYours SmartPlan™ helped maximize warmth without wasting product or energy.
The bathroom’s small, irregular layout posed a challenge—but the SmartPlan™ layout diagram from WarmlyYours made it easy. It allowed James to skip heating areas like beneath the clawfoot tub and avoid unnecessary costs.
“The custom design meant that we didn’t overbuy and we weren’t heating unused areas,” James notes.
Their feet now stay toasty during morning showers—and their tabby cat has claimed the bathroom as a favorite warm-weather hangout.
Results That Feel Like a Spa
What started as a fixer-upper now features a bathroom that feels like a luxury retreat.
The remodel preserved an original clawfoot tub while adding radiant floor heat and a towel warmer for modern comfort. James’s favorite detail?
“My personal distaste for the smell of damp towels lying about all day necessitated the heated towel rack,” he says with a smile.
Today, the bathroom is a favorite spot in the house—warm, stylish, and welcoming.
“I couldn’t be happier with the results,” James says. “We’ve reclaimed the upstairs bathroom, and it feels like the bathroom in an upscale spa.”
Project Spotlight: See This Remodel in Action
View the full showcase with install photos, SmartPlan™ diagrams, and project details.
👉 Project Spotlight: View full showcase with photos and install details
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