Designer: Hello Home (Erin Doak)  Photography: Bryce Vandergriff 

Some homes do not need more square footage; they simply need more personality! That was exactly the goal for the Whispering Oaks Home. Our client loved her home but wanted it to feel updated while bringing in more color, character, and thoughtful details throughout the house. Working alongside the talented team at Hello Home, we renovated two bathrooms and a game room while also refreshing the rest of the home with new paint, updated lighting, custom storage, statement wallpaper, and the removal of outdated popcorn ceilings.

Every renovation has two stories. There is the design vision that inspires the space, and there is the construction process that makes it possible. In this blog, we look at this renovation from both the builder’s (Skelly Build) and the designer’s (Hello Home, Erin Doak) perspectives!

The Game Room

The game room was all about creating a destination within the home. While compact in size, it became one of the biggest visual moments in the project.

A. The Build

The construction work in the game room centered around creating the perfect canvas for the designer’s selections. Before any finishes could be installed, the walls were carefully prepared to ensure the wallpaper would adhere smoothly and every seam would disappear into the finished pattern. Installing two large feature walls required careful planning, since bold wallpaper leaves almost no room for mistakes. Every pattern repeat and corner had to line up precisely for the final result to feel effortless.

This room also benefited from improvements taking place throughout the rest of the house. We completed a full interior repaint, giving every room a fresh foundation that allowed the new finishes to stand out. Throughout the home we also removed the existing popcorn ceilings, repaired and refinished the surfaces, and painted the ceilings to create a cleaner, more updated look. Decorative light fixtures were replaced throughout the home, helping connect every room to the overall renovation.

One detail that perfectly reflects our team’s approach happened outside the house. During four months of construction, the homeowner’s treadmill and elliptical had to be temporarily stored on the back patio. Through heat, cold, and plenty of rain, we made sure both pieces of equipment stayed protected and fully functional until they could be moved back inside. It may not have been written into the design plans, but taking care of our client’s belongings is simply part of the job.

B. Designer Notes

Designed as a space for gathering and play, this game room embraces the idea that smaller spaces can be the perfect place to take bold design risks. A vibrant, whimsical wallpaper sets the tone, infusing the room with personality and energy, while thoughtfully layered brass accents, including a striking Four Hands console and custom brass and glass wall shelving, add warmth and refinement. Floor to ceiling drapery softens the space and filters natural light, creating a welcoming glow that balances the room’s playful spirit. The result is a space that feels intentional, sophisticated, and full of character.

The Guest Bathroom

The guest bathroom may be one of the smallest rooms in the house, but it required just as much planning and craftsmanship as the larger spaces.

A. The Build

This space was taken down to the studs in all the places that mattered. We removed the existing bathtub, shower enclosure, wall tile, plumbing fixtures, and flooring before rebuilding the room from the ground up. Once demolition was complete, we installed a new bathtub, updated the plumbing connections, prepared the walls with proper waterproofing, and installed new Royal Dark Purple ceramic subway tile around the tub surround.

All new black and white patterned porcelain floor tile created a durable foundation for the room while tying together the new finishes. A new white vanity topped with a white quartz countertop brought fresh storage into the space, while updated plumbing fixtures, bronze hardware, and trim completed the renovation.

Bathrooms demand precision because every trade builds on the work completed before it. Plumbing, waterproofing, tile installation, cabinetry, countertops, painting, and finish hardware all have to happen in the proper sequence. Every detail was carefully coordinated so the finished room would perform just as beautifully as it looks.

Like the rest of the home, the guest bathroom also benefited from the larger renovation, including fresh paint, popcorn ceiling removal, and updated lighting that helped create a cohesive feel throughout the house.

B. Designer Notes

When a client describes their vision as “Alice in Wonderland,” playing it safe isn’t an option. Rather than relying on square footage to make a statement, this guest bath uses color, pattern, and contrast to create an immersive experience. A playful floor tile, dramatic plum walls, scalloped mirror, and a crisp white vanity work together to transform a small bathroom into one of the most memorable spaces in the home.

The Primary Bathroom

The primary bathroom was the largest construction effort of the entire project. Every surface was reimagined with both beauty and functionality in mind.

A. The Build

This renovation began with complete demolition. We removed the existing shower, cabinetry, countertops, tile, baseboards, closets, and flooring before rebuilding the room from scratch.

One of the most significant construction features was the new curbless shower. To achieve this seamless look, we removed sections of the existing concrete slab, relocated the shower drain, and carefully adjusted the floor slope so water would drain properly without the need for a curb. We then installed extensive waterproofing, followed by custom Teton ceramic tile throughout the shower walls, bench, niches, and floor.

Storage was another major priority. We built a custom double vanity topped with white quartz countertops, installed custom shelving in both closets, added new French closet doors and updated sliding closet doors, then completed everything with new cabinet hardware and plumbing fixtures.

The project also included new lighting, updated electrical, a bidet installation, towel hardware, trim work, and tile flooring throughout both the bathroom and adjoining closets.

The biggest surprise came during installation of the custom vanity. Once it arrived, we realized it simply would not fit through the bathroom doorway. Rather than risk damaging the cabinetry, we carefully removed the bathroom door and the entire door frame so the vanity could be safely installed. Once everything was complete, the homeowner loved the open feeling so much that she decided to leave the doorway without a door permanently. It was an unexpected challenge that ended with an even better result than originally planned.

B. Designer Notes

The primary bathroom demonstrates how thoughtful material selections can completely shape the experience of a space. Inspired by the feeling of an underwater lagoon, the design layers varying shades of teal tile to create depth, movement, and a sense of calm. Rather than relying on ornate details, the room draws its drama from color, texture, and repetition, resulting in a space that feels both striking and restorative.

The Finished Home

Beyond these three standout spaces, the Whispering Oaks Home received updates throughout that completely refreshed the feel of the house. A full interior repaint, popcorn ceiling removal, statement wallpaper, upgraded lighting, beautiful hardware, and custom storage all worked together to create a home that feels current while reflecting the homeowner’s personality.

This project was especially memorable for our team because of the people involved. Between the creative vision from Hello Home and a homeowner who trusted the process from beginning to end, it became one of those projects where great collaboration allowed every detail to come together exactly as intended.

Are you ready to add some personality to your home?  Contact us today to get started!