Timeless by Design: At Home with the Kings

A Spring Revival: Transforming Jordan & Keith's Historic Cottage Bath

Spring brings a sense of renewal, the same spirit of renewal we at KB Homes & Interiors fully captured in Jordan and Keith King's 1925 Tudor Cottage bathroom transformation. This project masterfully blends timeless design with charming modern updates, preserving the home’s humble cottage origins while creating a functional, stylish space that aligns with contemporary needs.

Photo by JE Photography & Design

For Jordan and Keith King, the charm of older homes has always been something deeply personal. "I've always wanted an older home," Jordan shares, reflecting on her childhood in rural Florida where unique homes were scarce. "When I would find a pocket of them, they felt so special to me, and I was desperate to have a peek inside. There’s a very popular story in my family of me trick-or-treating and asking homeowners if I could go inside their homes to have a look around. Something I still wish I could do!" Like many who are drawn to older homes, Jordan loves their character, quirks, and history, and views them as living entities. "Our home has lived before us and will continue after us," she says. "We are just a (hopefully good) chapter of its story."

Designing with Intention and History

At KB Homes & Interiors, we strive to create spaces that are both functional and full of character, and the King’s bathroom project was no exception. From the very beginning, Jordan and Keith King shared their desire for a space that felt timeless, personal, and connected to the history of their home. As we began the redesign, we saw an opportunity to rethink the layout and open up new possibilities within the existing footprint. The room was a 10' x 10' blank canvas, but with its challenging 12/12 pitch and resulting loss of headroom, it required thoughtful strategy to make the most of every inch. One powerful architectural decision made by our designer, Danielle, was to keep a skylight that had been added over a decade ago. Danielle and the KB team believe that if something isn’t broken, it shouldn’t be changed—especially when it adds both purpose and a touch of interest. This skylight did both. Opposite it, we raised the spring line to allow for a more stylistically prominent shower wall and grounded the space by color-blocking the tile. Raw brass fixtures were chosen for their soulful patina and enduring appeal.

Timeless Design is Curated, Not Constructed

We created a color palette for the Kings that both honors the home’s history and injects fresh vitality into the space. Soft French blues, muted spring greens, and warm neutrals lend a subtle vibrancy, setting the tone for a bathroom that feels both timeless and contemporary. The pitched ceiling, once a challenge, were expertly leveraged, allowing for a striking mirror placement beside bespoke faucets and lighting fixtures also in a raw, unlacquered brass. Every detail was chosen to reflect not just beauty, but meaning, because a room should be filled with intentional touches that speak to the homeowner’s life.

Historical Note: The use of French blues and unlacquered brass nods to 18th- and 19th-century European interiors, where soft mineral-based pigments and living finishes were hallmarks of refined but approachable design. French blue in particular gained popularity in the decorative arts during the Louis XVI period, prized for its calming quality and elegance.

Our design approach was rooted in more than just aesthetics, it was about continuity. “This is where working with KB Homes was so fantastic,” Jordan shares. “Danielle took the time to get to know us and understood that I didn’t want our project to feel like a brand-new room. Instead, I wanted it to feel as if it had always been there, with patina and personality.” That sensibility informed every choice. From finish selections to spatial flow, we sought to create a room that didn’t interrupt the home’s story, but rather continued it with care. At KB, we believe in meeting a home where it already is, respecting its architecture, its quirks, and its quiet wisdom. In doing so, the new becomes an extension of the old, creating a sense of ease and authenticity that simply can’t be fabricated.

Designer's Note: This concept of maintaining continuity in design, particularly in a historic home, is a core principal in preservation minded architecture. Rather than mimc the past or impose a stark contrast, we are aiming for what preservationists call compatible differentiation. A new work should be distinct yet in harmony with the original structure.

Photo by JE Photography & Design

A Collaborative Journey

Working with Jordan and Keith was a truly collaborative experience. We blended old and new, honoring the house’s original features while introducing fresh elements that feel like they’ve always belonged. The result is a home that doesn’t just look beautiful, but also tells a beautiful story.

We’re grateful to have been part of this transformation. Whether you’re dreaming of breathing new life into your current home, seeking spring inspiration, or ready to build your dream custom home from the ground up, we can’t wait to meet you, hear your ideas, and bring them to life.

Start Your Own Story

Every home has a story to tell, whether new or old. If you’re ready to bring yours to life, please Contact Us so we can start a chapter that is uniquely yours. We can’t wait to meet you, hear your ideas, and help make your vision a reality.

The project featured in today's post can be found in our portfolio.

All interior photos by JE Photography & Design