Room of the Day: A Classic Look Freshens Up a Master Bath
Soothing blues and thoughtful nods to vintage style create a comfortable haven for busy parents
This master bath had a luxurious amount of space, but its look was bland. “This room was just brown, unexciting, uncomfortable and not my clients’ style,” bathroom designer Michelle Fee says. “They wanted to make it their own. As the parents of young children, spending time relaxing here is a very important part of their days.”
No. 1 on their wish list: a cast-iron claw-foot tub. “We gave the room the vintage feel my clients love via the claw-foot tub, the hexagonal floor tiles, the shape of the fixtures, the gold and brass finishes, and the crystal knobs on the cabinetry,” Fee says. She replaced the shower’s half-wall on the 45-degree angle with clear glass, which gives it a more open and seamless feeling. There is a separate little room for the toilet opposite the shower.
The homeowners love blue, and they wanted the room to be relaxing and comforting. Light blue walls, a bright white trim and ceiling, and a white tile floor give the room a bright and happy look.
Wall paint: Iceberg, Benjamin Moore; Hicks pendant: Circa Lighting
The homeowners love blue, and they wanted the room to be relaxing and comforting. Light blue walls, a bright white trim and ceiling, and a white tile floor give the room a bright and happy look.
Wall paint: Iceberg, Benjamin Moore; Hicks pendant: Circa Lighting
BEFORE: Though the house was built in 2001, the garden tub’s surround looks older and even more dated than that.
AFTER: The bathtub is new, but its look gives the room classic Victorian-era appeal that works well with the existing leaded-glass window. The clear area underneath the window makes the room feel more open. The hexagonal tile floor lends a freshened-up yet vintage look. (The shape was common 100 years ago, but the 3-inch size makes it more modern.)
Because she helped her clients find a deep blue for the cabinetry, Fee nudged them toward gold and brass finishes for the bath and light fixtures, as well as the mirrors. “Gold looks absolutely beautiful with the blue,” she says.
Tub filler and all fixtures in the room: Margaux Series in French Gold, Kohler
Because she helped her clients find a deep blue for the cabinetry, Fee nudged them toward gold and brass finishes for the bath and light fixtures, as well as the mirrors. “Gold looks absolutely beautiful with the blue,” she says.
Tub filler and all fixtures in the room: Margaux Series in French Gold, Kohler
BEFORE: Due to lack of storage space, the counter got cluttered.
AFTER: New efficient cabinets help the homeowners keep everything they need close at hand. The tower in the center stands up to the high ceilings and provides loads of extra storage. It is also outfitted with outlets inside for their electronic toothbrushes.
Cabinets: Zebra Cabinets; cabinet color: Hague Blue, Farrow & Ball
Cabinets: Zebra Cabinets; cabinet color: Hague Blue, Farrow & Ball
Another advantage of the tower is that it provides a convenient place to hang hand-towel rings.
“For the mirrors, I didn’t want something too plain, but I didn’t want them to be flashy either,” Fee says. She chose matching mirrors with thick antique brass frames.
The countertops are quartzite. “Quartzite is a natural stone with the density of granite, but it has the elegant look of marble because of its veining,” Fee says.
The countertops are quartzite. “Quartzite is a natural stone with the density of granite, but it has the elegant look of marble because of its veining,” Fee says.
In the shower, the homeowners can reach in and turn on the shower heads without getting wet. The niche shelf and curb are capped in marble that looks similar to the countertops. The light in the shower has an integrated exhaust fan. “In addition to taking care of the steam, it helps prevent mildew,” Fee says.
Browse more Rooms of the Day
Browse more Rooms of the Day
Room at a Glance
What happens here: This is a comfortable refuge for the parents of young children
Location: Smyrna, Georgia
Size: 200 square feet (18.6 square meters)
Designer: Michelle Fee of Change Your Bathroom
BEFORE: “The original layout had everything in a place that made sense, so we kept it,” Fee says. The trim work and tray ceiling were also worth keeping. However, the dated fixtures, finishes and tile needed to go. While the style of the rest of the home is transitional, the homeowners wanted to infuse this room with some vintage-inspired style.