Case Study

A Return to Retro Bathroom Transformation in Wilmington

How DreamMaker restored a 1960s home's master bath to its original era - gutting 1980s builder tile and replacing it with black and white checkerboard without sacrificing an ounce of modern accessibility.

Wilmington, North Carolina

2 Weeks

Retro & Accessible

Bathroom Remodeling

Project Overview

Vintage Style. Modern Function.

A previous owner had layered 1980s builder-grade tile over every surface of this 1960s home’s master bath – floor, walls, and shower ceiling – erasing the character the home was built with. The current owner wanted it back. DreamMaker gutted the room and restored the retro aesthetic the house had always deserved, while adding zero-threshold accessibility and frameless glass barn doors that make the space genuinely better to use.

Location: North Carolina

Neighborhood: Wilmington

About The Neighborhood

Wilmington is one of North Carolina’s most sought-after coastal communities — a vibrant, family-friendly city with historic homes, tree-lined neighborhoods, and an easy pace that belies its proximity to the region’s booming business corridor.

The Challenge

What Wasn’t Working

Before the remodel, the space faced several challenges:

Builder-grade 1980s tile covering the floor, walls, and shower ceiling throughout
A style completely at odds with the 1960s character of the home
No accessibility features - no zero-threshold entry, no barn door clearance
A bathroom that felt disconnected from the rest of the home it lived in

Like many homes in Cave Springs, the master bath retained its original footprint — creating real functional limitations for a busy household and making what should be a personal retreat feel like an afterthought.

BEFORE:

“Our client is thrilled with her new bathroom. Restoring the retro character while adding real accessibility and frameless glass barn doors made this a space that works as well as it looks.”

– Wilmington, NC

5.0 | Google Review

The Solution

Built Around How She Actually Lives.

DreamMaker opened the load-bearing wall, cut down the raised bar, and rebuilt the kitchen around a frameless Showplace EVO cabinet system designed for maximum accessibility and cook-friendly storage.

Key Improvements included:

Full gut of the bathroom removing all existing builder-grade tile
Black and white checkerboard tile installed throughout for an authentic vintage appearance
Zero-threshold shower floor installed for improved accessibility
Frameless glass barn doors added for modern functionality and ease of entry

AFTER: THE TRANSFORMATION

More Inspiration

Browse more before & after transformations from homes in Wilmington.

VIEW ALL PROJECTS >

Inspired By This Transformation?

Whether you’re updating an outdated kitchen , expanding a bathroom, or planning a complete remodel, DreamMaker is here to bring your vision to life.