Bathroom Design Tip #2: Treat a Window as Part of the Vanity and Let the Light Pour In

The Hillhurst bungalow’s powder room came with what most designers would call a headache: a window carved directly into the spot where the mirror should hang. But Meghan Bannon and Tara Marshall of Calgary’s Mera Studio Architects saw opportunity instead.

The modest 1970s bathroom became a study in playful rebellion as the Mera team traded symmetry for curves and off-axis charm. “It was about taking that tiny footprint and turning it into something unique,” says Bannon. “We added a curve to the wall so we could do a vanity with some detail, even in such a small space.” That arc softened the geometry, but the real magic came from leaving the window in place. “We could have taken it out,” she adds, “but I never want to remove natural light from any project.” A privacy film keeps things discreet while allowing daylight to spill across the stone vanity.

Preserving that glow opened the opportunity for a mirror that is off-centre by design. “In a powder room, you don’t have to stick to the typical centred mirror idea,” says Marshall. “It’s not usually where people are applying makeup; it’s the mirror you glance at on your way out. So we saw that as a chance to be more playful, and placing the mirror off-centre made for a more interesting moment in the space.”

With a Fantasy Brown stone countertop, rift-cut oak cabinetry, green handmade Lumu 29 Musk Gloss tiles from Ames on the backsplash and terracotta Dal Quarry tile underfoot, the smallest room turned into the most memorable. “I feel like we lean into the unexpected details,” says Bannon. “Don’t underestimate what an unusual layout can do to create a moment that people remember.”

Hit the Curve

“We added the little curve on the wall so that we could do a vanity with unique detail in such a small space,” says architect Meghan Bannon. The arc reclaims inches while softening the tight footprint.

You’re So Vein

“It was a continuation of the whole house palette,” says Bannon of the Fantasy Brown countertop. “They wanted something warm, highly textural, all natural and timeless.” The warm veining pairs with hand-pressed green tile, where subtle imperfections add a depth that square footage alone can’t deliver.

Grounded in Terracotta

Terracotta tile carries out into the main house, stretching the footprint visually and giving the compact room an earthy connection to the rest of the bungalow.