From Blank to Bloom: Designing the Cloverleaf Bath

When we first carved this bathroom out of the primary bedroom in our 1940s Cape Cod, it was little more than a functional addition. The construction gave us good bones—new tile, inset paneling, and a fresh layout—but the space itself felt stark. White walls, north-facing light, and not an ounce of warmth or personality.

The real transformation began with a single fabric. A café curtain in Knight’s Tale by GP&J Baker x Kit Kemp became the spark, setting the palette and energy for the entire room. That one detail gave me direction: layered textiles, vintage finds, and a cloverleaf motif that would carry the spirit of a garden indoors.

If you’d like to see the full gallery of this project, you can view it here on my portfolio.

A Garden Tucked Inside

Clovers have always charmed me. They’re often overlooked, treated like weeds in the yard, but I’ve always found them cheerful and full of character. Celebrating them as a wall pattern gave this petite bath a personality all its own—playful, unexpected, and deeply personal.

Now, the room feels like stepping into a secret garden. The clover motif adds rhythm and charm, the fabrics soften the light, and the details give the space soul. It may be small, but it brings me outsized joy every single day.

Whimsical Heritage in Practice

This bathroom is a perfect example of my Whimsical Heritage design philosophy. It honors the character of our Cape Cod home with traditional paneling and classic detailing, while introducing a whimsical, unexpected motif that keeps the room from feeling predictable.

The mix of thoughtful choices—a hero fabric, clover-shaped backplates, and even an estate-sale chair reupholstered in sunny linen—layered the space with both polish and charm. Each element feels deliberate, yet the result is effortless, as though it’s always been here.

The Power of Pattern

Pattern has a kind of magic to it. It isn’t just visual decoration—it shapes how we feel in a room. It grounds a space, then builds upon itself in layers until the room feels warm, comforting, and alive. And when you know something was made or designed by hand, there’s an unmistakable sense of care behind it—you can feel the touch of the maker. That’s what puts you at ease.

But pattern does more than that. It’s connection. It’s evidence of your circle, your people, your community. The patterns we choose for our homes are deeply personal; they reflect not only what we love, but also who we are drawn to, the sensibilities we share, the kind of spirit we want to be surrounded by. Pattern quietly says: these are my people, this is my place. And that sense of belonging is what turns a room into a retreat.

That philosophy guided me in creating the cloverleaf design for this bathroom and continues to inspire my work—both in interiors and in the surface designs I’m developing for wallpaper and borders.

Beyond the Details

At the end of the day, design is about joy. This bathroom makes me smile every single morning—and that’s the kind of feeling I want for every client I work with. It’s about creating spaces layered with meaning, comfort, and beauty.

Services Provided in the Cloverleaf Bath

Space planning & layout: Carved the new en-suite out of the primary bedroom, designing a layout that maximized function in a small footprint.

Surface design concept: Created a custom cloverleaf wall motif that set the tone for the room’s garden-inspired feel.

Hard finishes: Selected flooring, tile, plumbing fixtures, lighting, and cabinetry finishes to honor the 1940s Cape Cod character.

Custom furnishings & textiles: Designed café curtains and shower curtain, curated fabrics, and incorporated vintage finds for layered charm.

Surface design concept: Created a custom cloverleaf wall motif that set the tone for the room’s garden-inspired feel.

Project management: Coordinated contractors, tracked progress, and ensured every detail aligned with the overall design vision

Styling & installation: Layered lighting, accessories, and details to create a polished, magazine-worthy finish.

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I would love to guide you through the process with my Interior Design Services. You can schedule a call or a consultation, and we’ll chat through your ideas and vision. It’s the first step toward creating a home you truly love.

And if you are inspired by pattern too, my first wallpaper and border collection is in the works—subscribe to my newsletter (below in footer) for early previews and a closer look inside the studio.