Splash of Serenity
In the final stop of our tour, we find the primary bathroom, located in the old art studio. Chosen for its north-facing light and easy-to-clean tiled floors, the room has been reimagined as a spa-like retreat. A freestanding clawfoot tub sits directly under a skylight that Elena installed, allowing for late-night stargazing while soaking. The original deep industrial sinks, where generations of children once washed tempera paint from their hands, have been fitted with luxury brass fixtures and repurposed as “his and hers” vanities with stunning marble backsplashes.
The remnants of the room’s creative past are visible in the colorful splatters of paint that Elena chose to seal into the concrete floor rather than scrub away. These “ghosts of creativity” add a playful, modern-art vibe to the otherwise minimalist space. Hanging plants thrive in the humid, sun-drenched environment, trailing down from the rafters and softening the industrial edges of the room. It is a space that celebrates the messiness of life and the beauty of starting over. As Elena says, she didn’t just move into a school; she allowed the school to teach her how to live with history.