Soulful Living Spaces

Soulful Living Spaces Design | Renovation

Sometimes an unexpected problem is an opportunity to make the project better.When we removed the original tub in this ba...
08/20/2026

Sometimes an unexpected problem is an opportunity to make the project better.

When we removed the original tub in this bathroom, we found something we couldn’t have known was there: the water supply lines had been brought straight up through the concrete slab in the corner of the tub instead of being routed through the wall.

The straightforward solution was to cut into the concrete, relocate the lines, repair the slab, and move on.

Our client was completely understanding and would have accepted the additional cost.

But we kept coming back to one question:

If she has to spend that money anyway, what can we give her for it?

Instead of spending it to relocate plumbing that would disappear beneath the floor and never benefit her, we proposed something different.

We designed the new shower with a bench positioned over the existing supply location, allowing us to conceal the plumbing beneath it. From there, we rerouted the lines through the wall and moved the shower controls to the opposite side, where they’re much easier to reach without leaning around the toilet or stepping into the shower.

The result?

The problem disappeared, she gained a built-in shower bench, and the controls ended up in a better location, for the same amount of money that otherwise would have been spent just getting us back to square one.

This is one of our favorite parts of remodeling.

Old houses surprise you. Plans change. Problems come up.

Our job isn’t simply to tell a homeowner what those problems will cost.

It’s to look out for them, think creatively, and make sure the money they’re trusting us with creates as much value for their home as possible.

Sometimes the best parts of a finished space weren’t part of the original plan at all.

One of my favorite parts of remodeling isn’t installing the cabinets or setting the tile.It’s helping someone see possib...
08/05/2026

One of my favorite parts of remodeling isn’t installing the cabinets or setting the tile.

It’s helping someone see possibilities they couldn’t quite picture before, while preserving their vision, style, and personal touches.

This home already had so much character. Instead of stripping that away, we focused on making it work better—adding custom storage, creating a true walk-in pantry, updating the cabinetry, opening the kitchen, and bringing everything together in a way that still feels like their home.

Beautiful spaces aren’t always about starting over.

Sometimes they’re about seeing what’s already there and building on it with intention.

I’m grateful we got to be part of this transformation.

Sometimes the best design decisions aren’t about style at all.When we began planning this bathroom, we originally intend...
07/30/2026

Sometimes the best design decisions aren’t about style at all.

When we began planning this bathroom, we originally intended to reinstall a traditional swinging door.

It would have worked.

But it wouldn’t have been the best solution.

The new tub is slightly larger than the original, and adding a frameless glass enclosure meant a swinging door would have created several compromises. Even with a hinge stop, it would interrupt the walking path, compete with the shower visually, and risk contacting the glass if someone wasn’t careful.

Instead, we suggested a sliding barn door.

Not because it was trendy.

Because it solved all of those problems while perfectly complementing the homeowner’s style.

That’s one of our favorite parts of the design process.

Sometimes the right answer isn’t the one that’s on the plans.

It’s taking the time to think through how someone will actually use the space every day.

Homes that feel effortless are the result of countless thoughtful decisions like this one.

It’s been a little while since we’ve shared our work here, but that certainly doesn’t mean we’ve been standing still.Ove...
07/27/2026

It’s been a little while since we’ve shared our work here, but that certainly doesn’t mean we’ve been standing still.

Over the past several years, we’ve had the privilege of helping homeowners throughout Eastern North Carolina transform the spaces they live in every day. We’re excited to start sharing more of those projects—and a little more of the thought and care that goes into each one.

This bathroom is one of our favorites because every detail was shaped around the homeowner’s vision. From the custom tile and glass enclosure to the barn door and vanity, every decision was made to create a space that feels like hers.

Beautiful finishes are only part of the story, though.

Long before the first tile was installed, this shower was fully waterproofed using a Schluter® system. It’s one of those details that will disappear forever behind the finished walls, but it’s also one of the things that helps ensure this bathroom can be enjoyed for years to come.

That’s how we approach every project.

The visible details matter because they’re what make a house feel like home. The hidden details matter because they’re what make that investment last.

The best part, though, isn’t the tile or the fixtures.

It’s knowing that every morning, Claudia begins her day in a space that finally feels like home.

That’s why we do what we do.

We’re looking forward to sharing more projects, more behind-the-scenes moments, and more of the homes—and the people—we’ve had the privilege of serving.

— Soulful Living Spaces

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Wilmington, NC
28401-28412

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