Increasingly, homeowners are looking to create that vacation getaway experience at home, and never more so than in the design of their bathrooms. Each morning your daily routine begins in the bathroom, and each evening it is the last room you visit before retiring for the night. Whether you prefer a long soak in the tub or a steaming-hot shower, it’s a place to unwind and destress from the demands of everyday life.
A successful bathroom renovation can yield a big return on investment and contributes greatly to improved quality of living. Promoting a feeling of wellbeing and relaxation in the design of a bathroom are just as important as creating a functional space that meets your needs.
The master bathroom renovation project that I designed in Manhasset, NY – which won the 2019 BIDOLI award (Best Interior Design on Long Island) – is a particular favorite of mine. I was able to transform it from drab to fab, all without changing the existing floorplan, which enabled the homeowners to keep construction costs down.
My clients complained that their bathroom felt dark and confined – and they longed for a space that felt like a luxurious 5-star hotel retreat. Unfortunately, there was nothing remarkable about the 13-by-11-foot-space: it had regular 8- foot ceilings; it had no interesting architectural features; and it had two skinny windows with unattractive views to hide.
The room felt like a box, with an outdated yellow gold and merlot color scheme, porous limestone material throughout, blackened grout lines, and – to top it off – a faint smell of dampness in the air. The style was very traditional, with inadequate lighting and a built-in Jacuzzi that was hard to access. It was definitely time for a major makeover.
To achieve such a dramatic transformation, I had to change the way my clients envisioned and experienced their bathroom space. The homeowners didn’t want to change the structure and layout of the bathroom. Therefore, my design strategy was to incorporate luxurious materials, rich finishes, a sophisticated color palette, and adjustable layers of lighting and mirrors to visually expand the space.
I began by using Calacatta Gold marble, which added richness and warmth to the room. For the bathroom floor, an intricate waterjet pattern – accented by a Spanish Gray marble mosaic border – created a gorgeous tile rug look. The bold floor design anchored the space and the entire bathroom scheme was developed around it.
The organic, freestanding stone air bathtub was highlighted by a faux fireplace clad in antique mirror tiles and nickel metal strips. An oversized polished nickel towel warmer created a beautiful focal point and added to the 5-star experience of the space.
Different marbles, glass tile and metal accents blend seamlessly together adding visual interest. In the shower area, 12 x 24 inch marble wall tiles were combined with 3 inch hexagonal tiles for the floor and niche area. Attention to detail is apparent throughout.
The plumbing trims boast a polished nickel finish and a fluid, twisted silhouette. A small wall divider concealed the toilet for added privacy. The mirrored niche with accent lighting was the perfect spot to display decorative accessories and made for a beautiful focal point.
The custom vanity, featuring a rich wood finish and sleek hardware, was designed to look like a piece of furniture. Upper cabinets were eliminated in favor of his and hers mirrored medicine cabinets on the adjacent walls. Three elegant wall sconces were set within a large framed mirror, which helped open up the space and reflect light.
The walls were painted in a soft warm gray – Benjamin Moore’s OC-51 – which picks up on the marble’s soft veining and the antique mirror glass tiling. Prints of pearlized shells rounded out the space and drove home exactly what my clients wanted: a timeless, spa-like retreat.
Achieving the Quintessential Luxury Bathroom
The secret to creating the perfect luxury bathroom design scheme lies in having a clear design vision and strategy.A floorplan that has good flow and functions well for the needs of the occupants is a must. Advanced skill, as opposed to mere good taste, is a prerequisite to being able to combine the right materials, patterns, colors, and finishes correctly.
A well-balanced and harmonious scheme is always comprised of an intricate layering of design elements. There must be different levels of lighting to create different moods within the space. Metal finishes compliment the wood and painted elements. Different patterns and textures add visual interest as well as a comprehensive tile layout.
With so much to consider, it’s no wonder that many homeowners seek professional guidance when remodeling their bathrooms. It’s not easy or inexpensive to correct a lackluster bathroom design, and when mistakes have been made, the consequence is too often having to live in regret.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to me if you need help in creating your perfect bathroom retreat. Discuss your wish list with me during a complimentary discovery call. Let’s create something beautiful together!