The Cobbler's Children have new shoes! The upstairs galley bathroom the kids share in Susan's 1959 split-level finally got a facelift, and all the kids and their friends love the bright, happy effect - or at least that's what they are saying to the adults. There was this charming bit of dissent, overheard when Susan's 17yo son took his 19yo cousin upstairs to see it for the first time: "I'm gonna be honest, Bruh, I miss the old bathroom. It was my childhood." But otherwise, only rave reviews! We ushered the sunshine back in with a new skylight, having stolen the original window years ago for the ensuite bathroom addition. We vastly improved the midcentury ventilation and lighting, replaced vinyl with tile, and raised the countertop from old-school 30" to now-standard 36". Best of all, we ensured ample towel bars, hooks, vanity storage and shower niche space. All this, just in time for them to move away to college. Here's hoping it compels them home from time to time.

Photography by Nolan Calisch.