Splashy Water Closets: Bathroom Interior Design

Bathrooms are quite possibly my favorite rooms to design. The potential for creative use of wall and floor covering materials are endless and the bath fixture industry has blossomed over the past decade providing more and more exciting plumbing product to stimulate the imagination. You can buy a toilet that lights up, vibrates and plays music. Who knew?

I think of my bathroom designs as “haute couture for the bath”. I dress and bejewel the space with the spectacular offerings of tile, stone, fixtures, faucets, color and lighting currently available in the marketplace.

Today’s bath is no wallflower. They sport open showers with an unlimited selection of sprays directed from walls and ceiling, luxurious bathtubs and tub enclosures (though the trend seems to be away from oversized tubs due to water and energy conservation awareness) not to mention (again) those dancing, singing toilets. The square footage allotted to bathroom use has tripled, and upholstered seating as well as antiques and artwork adorn the spaces. Music, TV, WiFi and heated floors are de rigeur and seamlessly incorporated.

It’s been said that my bathroom designs are “fit for a king, with an unconventional “throne”. It’s hard not to “ahhhh” upon entering.”

Take a look…

A SPA-LIKE ABLUTIONARY SPACE

Javore & Associates allocated plenty of space for a master bath in this renovation/addition. Into that space we were able to allot separate areas for every ablutionary act. The intent was to create a restful, luxurious, spa-like space where privacy could be enjoyed away from a growing family.

3" thick limestone surface supports 2 under-counter sinks and rests on floating custom cabinetry. Sconces on either side of the sinks eliminate shadows when shaving or applying make-up. A soffit above the sinks provides fill light.

The stand-alone bathtub across from the wash area also floats, and both are illuminated to enhance the illusion. The limestone floor is interrupted in the center by a band of slate visually connecting the two "splashy" areas. Deco copper tile (seen in the mirror) tops the limestone slab above the bathtub and is repeated below the tub's rim. (see additional photo)

Right facing door leads to the privy, left to a large dressing room and closet. The tub is across from this wash area, the separate shower to it's left.

BREATHE IN, BREATHE OUT!

That's what is written backwards on the edge of the light soffit. It reads forward in the mirror. Custom sycamore wood cabinetry and a limestone top, splash and surround grace this powder room featuring a granite vessel. The perfume shelf above the sink continues in tromp l'oeil all around the room. The floral "rug" in front of the toilet is a custom tile insert by Michelle Griffoul.

MICHIGAN RETREAT MASTER BATH

The natural stone path leading into this master bath is set on an angle to the walls leaving 2 trapezoidal wet areas; one for the lavs and bathtub, the other for the shower area. The custom sink cabinet and tub deck complete the first trapezoid, but the bathtub breaks out of it’s assigned boundaries jutting from it’s trapezoid further enlivening the space.

24” square stone on the walls is halved to create the path. Green glass 1” tile both delineates the wet areas and connects them. Terminating the path, a wooden bench holds towels and bathers.

A stainless steel shelf cantilevers magically from the wall, supporting shower products. A custom stainless shower drain extends the length of the shower floor, which is pitched slightly for water drain-off.

ZEN MASTER

Taking off from the Asian influence and natural materials in the architecture, 24" slate tiles detailed in cypress (prized for it's ability to live in water) cover the walls and cozy, heated floors of this zen master. The cabinet was fabricated from wood removed from the previous bath. A previously owned Fer Forge hall stand purchased in France fit nicely and provides mirror and surface. (I added a glass shelf above the umbrella stand, as I didn't think I'd be needing umbrella storage in the bathroom.) The black vessel sits on a concrete slab. The tall lav faucet can be operated with an elbow when hands are soapy. Fer Forge sconces are from Argentina. Shower glass was inset into the stone floor and into the ceiling eliminating any need for metal hardware. Also unnecessary is a shower door as the rain head drops water directly into the drain. New framing and a shelf (completed after photo) at the existing window provide a space for make-up application by daylight.

A RIBBON OF TILE

The second floor of this residence houses the children's wing. Two bedrooms and two back-to-back nearly mirror image baths, one with a shower, the other a tub. A ribbon of blue glass tile runs across the floor, and up the shower wall. On the other side of the wall, the glass tile spills down the wall behind the tub, and out onto the floor, uniting the two. (See second photo) The 2 18" wide stainless hospital cabinets were found objects to which I added a towel bar and a stainless shelf for additional storage. Concrete countertops with integral sinks complete each ensemble. The 2 stainless, medicine chests were found later. We removed the glass fronts and installed mirrors, placing these above each sink.

BIRDS ON A WIRE

The addition for this residence begins just beyond the tub wall, which initially rendered this a windowless master bath. A staircase with a two story glass block window was added by Nagle Hartray, so I stole the light from that bright stairwell into the master bath. The issue of privacy was solved by placing 2 frosted glass panels spaced several inches apart in the window frame maximizing privacy while allowing natural daylight to spill into the room. Having accomplished that, we couldn't resist adding a sculpture of birds on a wire by Ilana Goor .

The sinks were partially cantilevered out from the narrow cabinetry, the shallow space being defined by the bathtub. 24" chocolate brown porcelain tile covers the floor and the entire shower enclosure where small metallic tiles imbedded into the dark shower walls flicker with reflected light. Below the sinks, a substantial amount of storage was provided.

A dressing area complete with dresser, adjustable mirrors and make-up table at standing height is across from the sinks. (See second photo.) Light surrounding the lead edge of the dressing alcove provides perfect lighting for make-up. Lights are concealed and diffused behind frosted glass panels removeable for changing lamps.

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MONKEY BUSINESS

Elephants parade and monkeys cavort among palms and ferns in this children's bath. The tight budget and small windowless space didn't prevent this from being a fantasy space. The elephant tiles ring the room clomping right into the shower/bath. The evocative mural by Penumbra Studios doubles in the mirror. Cabinet knobs are twigs.

Tile wraps the shower walls and comes to waist height outside making it easy to clean little splashes and drips. Plastic laminate covers the cabinetry and is virtually indestructible. Corian top with integrated bowl leave no opportunity for grime to collect and allow soapy water and toothpaste lumps to be easily brushed into the sink.

Luxurious and spacious, this master bath sports dual glass sinks floating in a glass countertop. Shelving above the tub provides lots of display space. Glass walls surrounding the toilet and shower rooms visually extend the space. An old spring is adaptively used to hold towels.

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What a great place to soak with a glass of wine and a good book. In summer the view is of the heavily forested ravine. In winter, snow is barely seen through the steam condensing on the cold glass.

My intent was to create a guest bath that would fit in the house as if it had always been there. Taking clues from the woodsy environment, natural materials, Asian and prairie style architecture, taking advantage of the uncanny view, and expressing a sense of playfulness or whimsy were all considerations.

An aluminum surround was created for this Kohler soaking tub that sits unattached at a diagonal to the wall. Just-for-fun handles suggest that the tub was recently placed there free of a drain or any encumbrances of a shower/tub. The wet wall behind the tub is soapstone slab. Wall mounted controls are topped by a circular shower rod and curtain. The primitive wooden chair serves as both a towel holder and a handrail for getting out of the tub.

The floating console at the window wall conceals the sink plumbing while maximizing incoming light. A carrara marble slab countertop is held off the console by stainless steel risers and supports the vessel sink. In place of a storage cabinet, a Shaker rail with pegs holds shower accessories, antique 3-way mirror, and a variety of primitive baskets. A rustic wooden tub is provided for waste paper.

For continuity the fir flooring was matched as closely as possible to existing flooring throughout the residence. Fir ceilings running throughout the house are original. A vertical woven wood shade can be drawn for privacy, but rarely is.

ATTENTION TO THE DETAILS

Attention to small details can make or break a design.

The trick was to clad the curved shower wall with tile that didn’t reticulate. A 1”x 6” tile installed vertically resolved that problem. In white, the tiles were more affordable than the glazed pastels, so we determined to restrict use of the white 1”x6” tile to the inside and outside curved surfaces of the shower walls and judiciously use the pastels as accents. An extremely cost effective 18” square white glazed tile on the flat walls and floor reduced the overall expense.

Wrapping the decorative pastels around the entire room at the floor and around the shower barrel at several levels fit the budget, creates interest and draws us into the space. Planning ahead , the cabinetry was designed with a 6” kick so complete tiles would fit underneath. Counter top and tub deck are matching white corian.

FOUND OBJECTS!

The whimsy of this small off-the-kitchen powder room is derived from a compilation of unrelated “found objects” being adaptively misused.

The sink cabinet is a steel and glass secretarial desk reinvented to hold a stainless steel sink with exposed plumbing in a limestone countertop. A steel coal bucket collects waste. A wooden spice box above the toilet stores smalls like cotton balls, Qtips, band-aids. Rolls of TP are displayed in tin planting trays hung as picture frames (seen in mirror). The mirror is also a flea market find.