Room of the Day: Nature-Inspired Master Bathroom Retreat
A spa-like bathroom addition helps wash away the stress of the day for this California couple
Jae and Mike Cecilio had lived long enough with a tiny shower and limited storage, so they sought out designer Itohan Ellis to give them the nature-inspired master bath of their dreams.
The couple decided to add on to the home to give the master bathroom room for their must-haves, which included a walk-in shower, a large bathtub, two sinks and additional vanity space. To do this, they blew out the wall of their previous bathroom, from the vanity through the closet.
This floor plan shows the addition’s irregular shape, which was created to conform to property lines that don’t come together at a right angle.
Because of those restrictions, the biggest challenge of the project was finding a bathroom layout that embraced the unusual shape of the addition. The couple were impressed that Ellis was able to use the space to its fullest capacity while making it aesthetically pleasing and functional. Ellis’ 3D design capabilities and imagination helped drive the design, Jae says.
This floor plan shows the addition’s irregular shape, which was created to conform to property lines that don’t come together at a right angle.
Because of those restrictions, the biggest challenge of the project was finding a bathroom layout that embraced the unusual shape of the addition. The couple were impressed that Ellis was able to use the space to its fullest capacity while making it aesthetically pleasing and functional. Ellis’ 3D design capabilities and imagination helped drive the design, Jae says.
AFTER: Ellis wanted to provide a space that felt luxurious and relaxing while incorporating natural elements to echo the foliage framed by the room’s windows.
With the walls of their previous bathroom removed and the added space, Jae and Mike have an open, spacious master bathroom.
Ellis also gave the homeowners the bathing space each one wanted: Mike got a shower (behind the wall on the left); Jae got a free-standing tub.
With the walls of their previous bathroom removed and the added space, Jae and Mike have an open, spacious master bathroom.
Ellis also gave the homeowners the bathing space each one wanted: Mike got a shower (behind the wall on the left); Jae got a free-standing tub.
Now when Jae enters the big, open space of her new master bath, she says it feels as if she just stepped into a spa.
The final design included vaulted ceilings to create a feeling of grandeur and allow natural light to fill the space.
Paint: Carrington Beige, Benjamin Moore; tile edge trim: satin nickel, Schluter-Jolly, Schulter Systems; custom vanities: Escoffier Kitchen Designs; countertops: Emperador dark marble, Da Vinci Marble; undermount sinks: Bristol, Maykke; vanity light: Milo in chrome, Canarm via Houzz; heated floors: Nuheat
The final design included vaulted ceilings to create a feeling of grandeur and allow natural light to fill the space.
Paint: Carrington Beige, Benjamin Moore; tile edge trim: satin nickel, Schluter-Jolly, Schulter Systems; custom vanities: Escoffier Kitchen Designs; countertops: Emperador dark marble, Da Vinci Marble; undermount sinks: Bristol, Maykke; vanity light: Milo in chrome, Canarm via Houzz; heated floors: Nuheat
Ellis created what she calls a “mosaic river” of tone-on-tone hexagon tiles. It flows from the shower area, down the side of the room and under the soaking tub of Jae’s dreams. (Look closely at where the floor meets the wall here to see them.) The mosaic design ends at the vanity, creating a flow among the room’s main fixtures.
The floor and shower bench are heated.
Inspired by the beauty of the trees outside, Ellis selected earthy fixtures and accessories to add texture throughout the space, including the stacked stone wall, the dark marble on the vanity and the baskets to hold bathtime essentials.
Tile: 24-by-24-inch (wall), 12-by-24-inch (floor field) and 3-inch (floor hexagon) Marfil, Luxury collection, Florim; stacked stone: Mediterranean beige mosaic, Bedrosians Tile & Stone; bathtub: Legion Furniture; tub faucet: Grafik collection, Kalia via Houzz
The floor and shower bench are heated.
Inspired by the beauty of the trees outside, Ellis selected earthy fixtures and accessories to add texture throughout the space, including the stacked stone wall, the dark marble on the vanity and the baskets to hold bathtime essentials.
Tile: 24-by-24-inch (wall), 12-by-24-inch (floor field) and 3-inch (floor hexagon) Marfil, Luxury collection, Florim; stacked stone: Mediterranean beige mosaic, Bedrosians Tile & Stone; bathtub: Legion Furniture; tub faucet: Grafik collection, Kalia via Houzz
Built-in niches mimic the shape of the picture window and add handy storage.
Before the couple could experience their great escape, they decided to capitalize on the nice California weather and knocked out the entire southwestern side of their home. They basically camped out in their own house while the addition was being built. The family lived that way for three to four weeks, finding it the most convenient solution while their daughters were in school.
Architecture: Daryl Fazekas
Construction: Kahnafir Construction
Electrical work: Edges Electrical Group
Show us: Have you given yourself a dream bathroom? We’d love to see what you did. Please add a photo in the Comments!
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Before the couple could experience their great escape, they decided to capitalize on the nice California weather and knocked out the entire southwestern side of their home. They basically camped out in their own house while the addition was being built. The family lived that way for three to four weeks, finding it the most convenient solution while their daughters were in school.
Architecture: Daryl Fazekas
Construction: Kahnafir Construction
Electrical work: Edges Electrical Group
Show us: Have you given yourself a dream bathroom? We’d love to see what you did. Please add a photo in the Comments!
More
Bathroom Workbook: How Much Does a Bathroom Remodel Cost?
Find bath remodelers near you
Bathroom at a Glance
Who uses it: Jae and Mike Cecilio, medical device consultants, are the main users, but they share their home with two teenage daughters and rescue pup Libby, a miniature schnauzer
Location: San Jose, California
Size: 170 square feet (15.8 square meters)
Designer: Itohan Ellis of Red Orchid Designs
BEFORE: The old, broken-up bathroom layout didn’t provide the space or functionality the couple desired. The shower and toilet shared a narrow space, and the single-sink vanity stood alone across from the master bedroom closet.