Soothing Luxury in a Beverly Hills Bathroom
A 1980s Tudor gets a revival with lots of marble and an eggplant-colored vanity
Ambiance: “Like many of my clients, they wanted the bathroom to feel spa-like, light, soothing and airy,” Chambers says. “I went with a gray-and-white color palette to make the space feel light and open and applied a white wood ceiling detail to make the room feel taller and add more interest. We selected a white marble to give it a high-end, luxurious and bright feel, and we chose Calacatta marble over Carrara because it has warmer tones.”
Floor: Calacatta in a chevron pattern, Walker Zanger; walls: V-groove wall paneling painted gray; ceilings: V-groove ceiling paneling painted white
Floor: Calacatta in a chevron pattern, Walker Zanger; walls: V-groove wall paneling painted gray; ceilings: V-groove ceiling paneling painted white
Before: “This bathroom, with its bulb lights, travertine and clamshell sinks, was screaming the ’80s,” Chambers says.
One of the key markers of 1980s design, of course, is brass. Despite early predictions its revival would be a flash in the pan, brass remains a popular choice for modern bathrooms. The homeowners wanted to preserve that part of the look, but for the reincarnation of the space, Chambers opted for an unlacquered finish to soften the shine. That way, “even though we were using brass, it wouldn’t feel as blingy and overwhelming in the space,” she says.
One of the key markers of 1980s design, of course, is brass. Despite early predictions its revival would be a flash in the pan, brass remains a popular choice for modern bathrooms. The homeowners wanted to preserve that part of the look, but for the reincarnation of the space, Chambers opted for an unlacquered finish to soften the shine. That way, “even though we were using brass, it wouldn’t feel as blingy and overwhelming in the space,” she says.
Purple pop: The wife loves the color purple, so Chambers used an eggplant color to complement the brass and give the space character. “I’m not a maximalist, but I do believe in having fun in the space and getting creative,” Chambers says. “Everything shouldn’t be gray and white. Add some personality in your space by using your favorite bold color — with restraint.”
Custom Shaker cabinetry painted in DKC Eggplant; cabinetry hardware and mirrors: R.W. Atlas, unlacquered brass, Waterworks; sconces: Melissa, unlacquered brass with black shades, Urban Electric; sinks: Kohler, undermount; faucets: Henry, unlacquered brass, Waterworks; countertops: Calacatta marble, Walker Zanger
Custom Shaker cabinetry painted in DKC Eggplant; cabinetry hardware and mirrors: R.W. Atlas, unlacquered brass, Waterworks; sconces: Melissa, unlacquered brass with black shades, Urban Electric; sinks: Kohler, undermount; faucets: Henry, unlacquered brass, Waterworks; countertops: Calacatta marble, Walker Zanger
Table: A flea market find sits next to the shower, holding flowers and candles.
Shower fixtures: Universal series, unlacquered brass, Waterworks; shower walls and floor: Calacatta tile, Walker Zanger
Shower fixtures: Universal series, unlacquered brass, Waterworks; shower walls and floor: Calacatta tile, Walker Zanger
Matte finish: “Brass is a great accent metal,” Chambers says. “But if you are going to use brass and want the space to feel modern, consider using a brass with a matte sheen to keep it from becoming overwhelming or dated quickly.”
Contractor: Salazar Construction; cabinetry: B.C. Custom Cabinets
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Contractor: Salazar Construction; cabinetry: B.C. Custom Cabinets
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Find a professional to help with your next bathroom project
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A young couple in the video gaming industry
Location: Beverly Hills, California
Size: 168 square feet (15.6 square meters), including a large water closet (not pictured)
Interior designer: Lindsay Chambers Design
The backstory: This home is located in Beverly Hills, where many designers favor a flashy approach. But designer Lindsay Chambers’ goal was to intentionally design against that trend by creating a high-end-feeling bathroom that’s elegant and luxurious but also somewhat understated.
The renovation was going to be primarily cosmetic, but when mold was found (from a hidden window that had been improperly closed off years ago), the scope of the project changed dramatically.
“The price of the renovation went up $20,000 to $25,000 because of what was beneath the surface,” Chambers says.
Light fixture: Arctic Pear chandelier, Ochre; bathtub: Victoria + Albert; fixtures: Julia, unlacquered brass, Waterworks