From 1970s Split-Pea Soup to East Tennessee Sanctuary: The Great Harriman Bathroom Rescue
Project Location: Harriman, Tennessee
Contractor: Custom Bath & Shower
Here in East Tennessee, we appreciate a good throwback. We love our historic downtowns, our antique shops, and the timeless flow of the nearby Emory River. But there is a line where “vintage charm” ends and “a crime against interior design” begins.
Darren and Robin’s old bathtub had firmly crossed that line about forty years ago.
The Challenge: The Green Goblin of Roane County
Take a moment to truly absorb the “Before” photo. What you are looking at is a monolithic, fiberglass tub-and-shower combo in a shade we like to call “Regretful Avocado.”
Not only did this enclosed swamp-green cave make the bathroom look about half its actual size, but it was also profoundly impractical. For homeowners looking to age in place gracefully—or really anyone who just doesn’t want to perform an Olympic hurdle before their morning coffee—that high tub wall was a daily hazard. Navigating that slippery, dated basin was becoming as treacherous as a hike up the Cumberland Trail after a heavy rain. Darren and Robin needed a change, and they needed it before the ghost of 1974 came back to claim its bathtub.
The Solution: A Custom Bath & Shower Intervention
The experts at Custom Bath & Shower were called in to perform a full-scale eviction of the green beast. The goal was simple: prioritize safety and accessibility without sacrificing an ounce of style.
Out went the fiberglass time capsule, and in came a sleek, floor-to-ceiling transformation. The Custom Bath & Shower team replaced the restrictive tub with a spacious, low-threshold walk-in shower. To bring the design firmly into the 21st century, they selected a beautiful, textured sandstone-colored wall surround that echoes the natural, earthy tones of the Tennessee landscape.
To break up the space and add a touch of modern elegance, a stunning glass-and-stone mosaic tile ribbon was installed across the midsection.
The Outcome: A Safe, Stylish Spa Retreat
The “After” is nothing short of a revelation. By removing the bulky tub, the entire room instantly feels larger, brighter, and infinitely more inviting. But the real magic is in the details tailored specifically for Darren and Robin’s comfort:
- Accessible Seating: A sturdy, floating corner seat provides a safe place to rest and enjoy the warm water, perfect for those humid Tennessee summer days when you just need to cool off.
- Double the Safety: Not one, but two strategically placed grab bars were installed. A sleek, matte black bar offers a firm grip near the entrance, while a minimalist clear acrylic bar adds subtle support along the back wall.
- Smart Storage: Say goodbye to suction-cup caddies falling down in the middle of the night. The new shower features a multi-tiered corner shelf system and beautifully integrated recessed wall niches to house all the soaps, shampoos, and loofahs a person could ever need.
- Modern Fixtures: Matte black fixtures, including a premium showerhead and elegant sliding glass doors, provide a sharp, contemporary contrast against the warm, neutral walls.
- Slip-Resistant Base: A brilliant white, low-step shower pan ensures that stepping in and out is safe, secure, and effortless.
Darren and Robin’s Harriman home finally has a bathroom that reflects the beauty of its surroundings rather than the questionable color palettes of a bygone era. It’s safe, it’s stunning, and best of all—it is 100% avocado-free.
