New This Week: 4 Modern and Spacious Dream Bathrooms
For the ultimate bathroom experience, cozy up to heated shower benches, large soaking tubs and high-end tile
If you got caught up in the recent Powerball craze, chances are your fantasies of winning turned to thoughts of what your dream home would be like. And in that fantasy, at some point, your attention probably focused on the master bathroom. Spacious, full of light, spa-like, covered in elegant yet soothing tile — and heated everything! These are characteristics that many homeowners would strive for if given the opportunity. Here, four modern master bathrooms showcase just what those dreams are made of.
Designer secret: The mixture of textures. “The floor is a matte finish, the walls are an iridescent mix of polished glass, the vanities are high-gloss and the paint is matte,” Segreti says.
“Uh-oh” moment: “When the vanity was installed, we noticed that it might have been too low,” Segreti says. “But once we added the vessel sinks, which were 6 inches high, we were in good shape.”
Splurges and savings: The tub was a floor model, so Segreti was able to save half the cost. This allowed her to splurge a bit on the tub filler.
The nitty-gritty: Countertops: sparkling green marble, Crystal Marble and Granite; flooring: white dolomite (12 by 24 inches), Marble Trend; bathtub: Axor, Hansgrohe; plumbing fixtures for tub and sinks: Axor, Hansgrohe; plumbing fixtures in shower: Aqua Brass; hardware: Richelieu; wall tile: Trend Mosaic; wall-mounted TV: Seura; table: Worlds Away; sconces: Grossman Lighting; accessories: Global Views
Team: Ontera Construction; Multiflex (millwork and custom cabinetry)
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“Uh-oh” moment: “When the vanity was installed, we noticed that it might have been too low,” Segreti says. “But once we added the vessel sinks, which were 6 inches high, we were in good shape.”
Splurges and savings: The tub was a floor model, so Segreti was able to save half the cost. This allowed her to splurge a bit on the tub filler.
The nitty-gritty: Countertops: sparkling green marble, Crystal Marble and Granite; flooring: white dolomite (12 by 24 inches), Marble Trend; bathtub: Axor, Hansgrohe; plumbing fixtures for tub and sinks: Axor, Hansgrohe; plumbing fixtures in shower: Aqua Brass; hardware: Richelieu; wall tile: Trend Mosaic; wall-mounted TV: Seura; table: Worlds Away; sconces: Grossman Lighting; accessories: Global Views
Team: Ontera Construction; Multiflex (millwork and custom cabinetry)
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2. Take It Outside
Designer: Ron Robinette of Robinette Architects
Location: Tucson, Arizona
Size: 224 square feet (about 21 square meters); 14 by 16 feet
Year built: 2014
Homeowners’ request: A master bathroom with connection to surrounding vegetation.
Special features: Radiant floor heating; natural stone floors; floating vanity cabinets; floating vanity mirrors; LED lighting; his-and-her spray heads and control valves for showers; seating area; indoor-outdoor shower area
Plan of attack: This was part of an overall new construction for a custom-designed home. It was laid out to capture views of rock outcroppings, saguaros, native plants and animals that could be enjoyed while engaging in morning activities. One of the goals of the owners was to create a naturally lit and comfortable place to prepare for the day. The open concept has double vanities, a large dressing and drying area, and a shower for two that opens up to the outdoor space to accentuate indoor-outdoor living.
Designer: Ron Robinette of Robinette Architects
Location: Tucson, Arizona
Size: 224 square feet (about 21 square meters); 14 by 16 feet
Year built: 2014
Homeowners’ request: A master bathroom with connection to surrounding vegetation.
Special features: Radiant floor heating; natural stone floors; floating vanity cabinets; floating vanity mirrors; LED lighting; his-and-her spray heads and control valves for showers; seating area; indoor-outdoor shower area
Plan of attack: This was part of an overall new construction for a custom-designed home. It was laid out to capture views of rock outcroppings, saguaros, native plants and animals that could be enjoyed while engaging in morning activities. One of the goals of the owners was to create a naturally lit and comfortable place to prepare for the day. The open concept has double vanities, a large dressing and drying area, and a shower for two that opens up to the outdoor space to accentuate indoor-outdoor living.
Why the design works: Toilet areas and linen storage are located just off the bathroom. A walk-in closet and dressing area sits nearby and includes full laundry room facilities. The vanity area provides space for morning activities while allowing owners to enjoy the ever-changing landscape and lighting of the Sonoran Desert. The master shower itself has his-and-her spray heads and built-in seating. The entire space is lit with natural daylight in the morning and multiple sources of light for evening activities.
Designer secret: Bring landscaping right up to large expanses of glass for a direct indoor-outdoor feel. Use accent wall tiles to separate shower and vanity areas. Incorporate glass tile accents to bring some zing.
Splurges and savings: Splurges included glass tile in accent areas of the master shower and at the vanity mirrors. Savings included the use of manmade quartz products for horizontal surfaces and white plumbing fixtures to help create a clean and simple look.
Team: Eric Freedberg of Milestone Homes (contractor); Amanda Paul (interior design); Janelle Perry (structural engineer); Rings of Wood (cabinetmaker); Granite Plus (countertops); Dar Tile (tile work); Velen Chan (photography)
Designer secret: Bring landscaping right up to large expanses of glass for a direct indoor-outdoor feel. Use accent wall tiles to separate shower and vanity areas. Incorporate glass tile accents to bring some zing.
Splurges and savings: Splurges included glass tile in accent areas of the master shower and at the vanity mirrors. Savings included the use of manmade quartz products for horizontal surfaces and white plumbing fixtures to help create a clean and simple look.
Team: Eric Freedberg of Milestone Homes (contractor); Amanda Paul (interior design); Janelle Perry (structural engineer); Rings of Wood (cabinetmaker); Granite Plus (countertops); Dar Tile (tile work); Velen Chan (photography)
3. Lakeside Luxury
Designer: Stephanie McKenna of Stephanie McKenna Interior Design
Location: Lake Minnetonka, Minnesota
Size: 375 square feet (about 35 square meters); 25 by 15 feet
Year built: 2015
Homeowners’ request: A new-build custom house that was casual, comfortable and featured high-end materials. “I chose to work with a color palette conducive to a lake home setting, which was new to them, but after talking about the serenity of the colors, they agreed to them,” says designer Stephanie McKenna.
Special features: Steam showers; curbless shower; heated floors; heated headrest in bathtub; high-end tile; makeup station with multiple narrow drawers; custom lighting on furniture and makeup station; multiple shower heads; custom cabinetry with built-in hair dryer and curling iron drawer
Plan of attack: Once the space was developed with the architect, the cabinets were designed; then came the tile, from which all other decisions stemmed.
Designer: Stephanie McKenna of Stephanie McKenna Interior Design
Location: Lake Minnetonka, Minnesota
Size: 375 square feet (about 35 square meters); 25 by 15 feet
Year built: 2015
Homeowners’ request: A new-build custom house that was casual, comfortable and featured high-end materials. “I chose to work with a color palette conducive to a lake home setting, which was new to them, but after talking about the serenity of the colors, they agreed to them,” says designer Stephanie McKenna.
Special features: Steam showers; curbless shower; heated floors; heated headrest in bathtub; high-end tile; makeup station with multiple narrow drawers; custom lighting on furniture and makeup station; multiple shower heads; custom cabinetry with built-in hair dryer and curling iron drawer
Plan of attack: Once the space was developed with the architect, the cabinets were designed; then came the tile, from which all other decisions stemmed.
Why the design works: The bathroom exudes serenity and calm, and celebrates a view of nearby Lake Minnetonka.
Designer secret: “Ample lighting is most important in a bathroom,” McKenna says. “Maximize side lighting at mirrors and use decorative lighting to play up architectural features, like the dormer above the tub in this room.”
“Uh-oh” moment: “The homeowners were struggling with changing the color palette from their other homes, which were green and golds and burnt oranges, to a cooler palette of blues and aquas,” McKenna says. “Once they saw this tile choice and its proximity to the water, they were on board.”
The nitty-gritty: Shower tile: Loom, in glass, New Ravenna; floor tile: Marabel, aqua, New Ravenna; faucets: Artifacts, brushed bronze, Kohler; bathtub: ThermoMasseur, BainUltra
Team: Robert Craig Homes (builder); Mike Sharratt, Nora Kirkwold of Sharratt Design & Co. (architecture); Stevens Cabinets; Nob Hill Hardware; Lappin Lighting; Miller Tile Installation; Troy Thies Photography
Designer secret: “Ample lighting is most important in a bathroom,” McKenna says. “Maximize side lighting at mirrors and use decorative lighting to play up architectural features, like the dormer above the tub in this room.”
“Uh-oh” moment: “The homeowners were struggling with changing the color palette from their other homes, which were green and golds and burnt oranges, to a cooler palette of blues and aquas,” McKenna says. “Once they saw this tile choice and its proximity to the water, they were on board.”
The nitty-gritty: Shower tile: Loom, in glass, New Ravenna; floor tile: Marabel, aqua, New Ravenna; faucets: Artifacts, brushed bronze, Kohler; bathtub: ThermoMasseur, BainUltra
Team: Robert Craig Homes (builder); Mike Sharratt, Nora Kirkwold of Sharratt Design & Co. (architecture); Stevens Cabinets; Nob Hill Hardware; Lappin Lighting; Miller Tile Installation; Troy Thies Photography
4. Crisp and Clean
Designer: Curtis Aloisio of Defined Luxury Built
Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Size: 180 square feet (about 17 square meters)
Year built: 2015
Homeowners’ request: A super-bright, transitional, modern space with some bold features.
Special features: Zebra print marble tile on wall in the shower; heated shower bench; curbless shower; steam shower; heated towel rack; custom bidet toilet; heated floors; custom light fixture over free-standing tub; walnut and gloss white thermofoil doors; custom walnut bulkhead with recessed lighting; linen tower and custom storage between sinks
Plan of attack: The zebra pattern wall tile in the shower was the jumping-off point and became the focal point. Everything else in the shower and bathroom was muted to allow this feature to stand out. The walnut-trimmed, gloss-white thermofoil cabinets came next.
Designer: Curtis Aloisio of Defined Luxury Built
Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Size: 180 square feet (about 17 square meters)
Year built: 2015
Homeowners’ request: A super-bright, transitional, modern space with some bold features.
Special features: Zebra print marble tile on wall in the shower; heated shower bench; curbless shower; steam shower; heated towel rack; custom bidet toilet; heated floors; custom light fixture over free-standing tub; walnut and gloss white thermofoil doors; custom walnut bulkhead with recessed lighting; linen tower and custom storage between sinks
Plan of attack: The zebra pattern wall tile in the shower was the jumping-off point and became the focal point. Everything else in the shower and bathroom was muted to allow this feature to stand out. The walnut-trimmed, gloss-white thermofoil cabinets came next.
Why the design works: “It’s a very functional space,” says designer Curtis Aloisio. “All elements are big enough, and there is no wasted space. All the natural light also adds to the appeal of the space.”
Designer secret: “We tried to maximize the natural light flow through the room but still offer maximum privacy for the clients,” Aloisio says. “Also when working with smaller spaces, sometimes less is more, and I think the clean-cut sophistication of this space proves that.”
“Uh-oh” moment: “When we were originally designing the shower, there was even more glass, and the clients realized after seeing it framed that this was too open for them,” Aloisio says. “They wanted a bit more privacy, so we added some partial walls.”
Splurges and savings: The shower and cabinets were splurges. Savings came from using an inexpensive free-standing tub and floor tile.
More
10 Elements of a Dream Master Bath
18 Dream Items to Punch Up a Master-Bath Wish List
Spa-Worthy Showers to Refresh the Senses
14 Fabulous Indoor-Outdoor Bathrooms
Designer secret: “We tried to maximize the natural light flow through the room but still offer maximum privacy for the clients,” Aloisio says. “Also when working with smaller spaces, sometimes less is more, and I think the clean-cut sophistication of this space proves that.”
“Uh-oh” moment: “When we were originally designing the shower, there was even more glass, and the clients realized after seeing it framed that this was too open for them,” Aloisio says. “They wanted a bit more privacy, so we added some partial walls.”
Splurges and savings: The shower and cabinets were splurges. Savings came from using an inexpensive free-standing tub and floor tile.
More
10 Elements of a Dream Master Bath
18 Dream Items to Punch Up a Master-Bath Wish List
Spa-Worthy Showers to Refresh the Senses
14 Fabulous Indoor-Outdoor Bathrooms
Designer: Heather Segreti of Segreti Design
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Size: 300 square feet (about 28 square meters)
Year built: 2015
Homeowners’ request: A very contemporary master en suite with a resort spa feel.
Special features: Large soaker tub; sparkling green marble countertops; large shower with sprawling bench seat; wall-hung makeup vanity; long vanity for two
Plan of attack: Designer Heather Segreti began with a seafoam green and white color palette. Then she had to figure out a plan that worked around the large soaker tub. Selecting slabs and floor tile came next. Mosaic wall tile was custom-blended to coordinate with the countertop material. High-gloss cabinets with polished chrome hardware, along with accents of white towels and orchids, capped off the space.
What goes on here: “This space is obviously for getting ready every morning with a refreshing shower and for taking it down a notch in the evening with a warm bath,” Segreti says. “Lots of space for two people to move around. There’s also a water closet off to the side in a nice-size separate room with its own window and vanity with sink. Luxury at its best.”