Powder room remodel in Winnetka

The situation

This is a powder room we remodeled in Winnetka. A powder room is smaller than a primary bath and has to look finished when company walks in. That is a large part of the work we do in 60093 — kitchens, guest baths, and the room off the foyer that everyone sees.

Winnetka houses are used hard and expected to look easy. Pre-war and mid-century stock often still has the original plaster, the original trim, and a 60- or 100-amp panel behind the kitchen. A powder room remodel has to respect that — you do not tear the house apart for a room the size of a closet.

We came from Northbrook as a licensed electrician and remodeling contractor. One crew on plumbing, electrical, tile, vanity, and finish. Not a parade of subcontractors for one small room. Winnetka is a short run down the shore from Oak Ave. We are in these houses often enough that the plaster and the 100-amp panel are not a surprise.

Winnetka is a short run down the shore from the Northbrook shop. Plaster, original trim, and a 60- or 100-amp panel are the usual starting point — we do not treat a powder room as a reason to gut the house. Kenilworth and Glencoe houses next door get the same look at a small room that has to hold up to company.

Scope and approach

Powder rooms look simple and are not. The vanity, the fixture, the lighting, the fan, and the tile all have to land in a tight space. Plumbing moves are limited. Electrical has to be GFCI and on a real box. We look in person, then do the work in order so the foyer is not a job site longer than it has to be.

If the panel cannot take a new circuit, we say so before anyone opens a wall. Many Winnetka houses still run on the original service. A powder room should not be the surprise that forces a panel upgrade — unless the upgrade is already the right work.

• Look at the existing powder room, the plumbing, and the panel
• Plan vanity, lighting, and tile for a small footprint
• Rough and inspect when the village requires it
• Set vanity, fixtures, tile, lighting, and hardware
• Leave the room ready for company

Materials and brands

Vanity, tile, and fixtures were the homeowner’s pick. Lighting sits with a licensed electrician — Lutron Professional when the rest of the house is on that system. We do not invent a brand for this page.

A powder room that looks finished in photos and fails at the first guest is not finished. Fixtures have to stay quiet. The fan has to vent. The GFCI has to be where it belongs.

Permits and code

The Village of Winnetka inspects plumbing and electrical work that is more than a like-for-like swap. We pull the permit when the powder room needs one. Community Development is the office; we handle the paperwork for the work we do. You should not be guessing whether a new circuit in plaster needs a look — it usually does.

Timeline and result

A powder room is smaller and still takes a real calendar — waterproofing and tile do not hurry. We work weekdays, 8:00 to 4:30, and keep the rest of the house usable. Kenilworth and Glencoe houses next door get the same look. Call (847) 778-8053 if you have a similar Winnetka room.

Community Development is the office when the powder room needs a look. A new circuit in plaster usually does. Fixtures have to stay quiet, the fan has to vent, and the GFCI has to be where it belongs. Call (847) 778-8053 if the room off your foyer still has to look finished when company walks in.