5 Unique Master Baths
BY Emily Parry
Something old something new something classically clean even something under the sea bathrooms can offer a reprieve from daily stresses or add a lively pop of color in an unexpected place. Relaxing retreat Low-key luxury is a twist on the traditional where contemporary meets classic and in a home in which children run underfoot sometimes less truly is more. With its simple lines this master bathroom is all about the details. Amy Tyndall of Amy Tyndall Design created this master bath for a family of four. “They wanted a classic timeless look with a little bit of an edge ” she explains. “The husband is really modern and contemporary while the wife is more traditional so its a combination of the two.” Tyndall says she is seeing bigger more luxurious bathrooms that people spend more time inbathrooms arent just functional anymore. They want the bathroom to be enjoyable more like a spa experience. White subway tiles line the walls with the rooms pop of color Benjamin Moore Sea Pine paint splashed above the wainscot. White Carrara marble tiles line the floor with a delicate marble inlay focal point. “Its a very large room ” Tyndall says. “I wanted to do something that helped to break up the huge expanse of the marble. That led to the design of the mosaic rug.” The marble rug draws the eye to the soaker bathtub which is both the elegant centerpiece of the bathroom and a much-loved place of adventure for the children. Bath fixtures by Ferguson offer a splash of sophistication. A Williams Sonoma Home glass chandelier above the tub reflects natural light from adjacent windows into the far corners of the room. A steam shower offers a relaxing escape for mom and dad. In the corner of the bath built-in espresso-stained maple cabinetry by Hollingsworth with seeded glass insets (not shown) stores Band-Aids and bath toys out of sight.
Grand Escape
Combining aesthetics with practicality this bath exudes luxury. Designed by both the homeowners and architect Blair Goodrich with building contractor Mack Braxton of RMB Building and Design this gracious space boasts Crema Marfil marble tiles and marble countertops by Italian Tile Design.
Built as a dream home for the owners after finding inspiration in Naples Florida the entire bath was designed around the shower. With floor-to-ceiling glass walls the large freestanding shower is an impressive take on the walk-in shower trend.
At the far end of the room grand columns flank the elevated temple-like tub beneath a sparkling chandelier. The natural palette soothes the overall richness of the spa-like atmosphere with the lady of the house a former interior designer displaying her handmade pottery pieces throughout. Alice Evans of Dynamic Kitchens and Interiors designed the vanity and bureau-style cabinets in the far corner that act as a closet and dressing area for the husband. Lowered from top to bottom stationary window treatments allow the transfer of natural light while ensuring privacy. Candlestick lights by Coastal Lighting reflect every surface allowing the mirrors and marble to glow.
Blue Lagoon
Frosted-glass French doors open to reveal a luxurious seascape with effervescent sea greens and calming blues. Designed by architect Michael Moorefield with interior designer Kim Turner this oasis bath brings to life an underwater world.
“This was a great project ” Turner with KTP Designs Inc. says. “We were thinking of the aquatic theme being around area beaches and having a really relaxing environment for them. The clients like fun. They are not just traditional people.” So Turner dreamed up an oceanside retreat and then sparkled it up for a bit more interest and wow.
The centerpiece of the room is a circular shower with glass tiles that continue the seascape palette. Etched-glass waves splash along the shower walls as a rainfall showerhead and surrounding jets truly help to bring nature indoors.
Iridescent glass tiles from Oceanside Glasstile shine underfoot surrounding the shower and tub.
Ensconced in an architectural cove the generously proportioned tub is enhanced by a mural of a bathing mermaid taken from John William Waterhouses famous painting “A Mermaid ” transferred onto glass tiles. A small bureau rests to the side of the tub decorated delicately with seashells from area beaches. Corian countertops surround Gravity Glas bowl sinks and matching mirror frames. English beech cabinets with birdseye maple inlays open with the help of mermaid pulls. And behind frosted-glass doors his and her water closets are shrouded in privacy.
Turner from Michigan sees the seasons trends. “Its all about embellishing what you have and getting more for less. Maybe a stone or porcelain tile and accenting with glass tiles while still trying to incorporate the look.”
And individuality plays a major role now more than ever thanks to the help of television renovation shows. “I think that some television shows are not always realistic but they still give homeowners the incentive to be a little bit more creative and give their opinion more whereas in the past if they had an idea they would look toward the designer to lead them. Now people have more of a preference.”
Reclaimed Refuge
Delicately deconstructed double screen doors open a textbook lesson in reworked pieces. Susan Covington of SAC Art Designs was project manager and interior designer for the salvaged sanctuary a master bathroom renovation that glows with natural light.
“Its white on white on white ” Covington says. “Theres a lot of light and a taste of vintage mixed with natural elements. The owners want calm and peace in their lives versus bold bright colors ” adding that the classic white-on-white bathroom is effortlessly chic. “White is timeless. It will always be in style.”
Against the large fluted-glass block windows bright yet muted light floods the room and bounces off a sparkling Louise Gaskill chandelier hanging above the all-white claw-foot tub. The soft rolled lines of the tub and white penny-round floor tiles contrast the angular features throughout the rest of the room from the block-style windows behind the tub to double square raised-vessel sinks. The sinks sit above honed Emerald Pearl granite countertops anchoring the vanity which Covington reworked around two antique Chinese brass pulls. With Louise Gaskill light fixtures and rustic reclaimed barn-wood mirrors the natural elements of the room come together.
In one niche are built-in shelves designed by Covington. She loves the built-in nooks of beach houses and historic houses. “Its very reminiscent of the 20s 30s and 40s.” In addition to the French screen doors the sliding door to the water closet as well as the full-length mirror resting outside the bathroom near a walk-in closet all architectural pieces are reclaimed from New Orleans. Although white was the primary inspiration a pale blue ceiling and vintage vanity cart offer understated whispers of color in the room that creates the most serene escape from reality.
Natural Wonder
With teak walls and clean angular lines this bathroom exudes masculinity. Architect David Lisle designed the home renovation with builder Mark Batson of Tongue and Groove. “We wanted to update the inside and open it up. They had a really tiny bathroom and a goofy closet meaning it was cut up ” Lisle explains. “The closet actually had more windows. So we ended up flipping the two and using all of those windows in the bathroom configuration.”
Casement windows void of window treatments add to the austerity of the room and complement the suspended teak cabinets with smoked glass and slab front doors and drawers designed by Shoreline Cabinet Company.
A large standing mirror rests on the Statuary marble floors that stretch through the bathroom continuing up into the marbletiled steam shower. Both the sparkling tile and gorgeous hardwood are from Rug Runner Inc. The teak from FitzGerald Wood Products dominates the space covering the walls cabinets shower and tub.
“The customer had some specific things he was looking for; he liked a lot of wood because of the warmth of it ” Batson explains. “I suggested the teak because its reminiscent of a boat not only for the look but also the smell. Its kind of a soothing smell which adds to that spa-feel for the bathroom.”
One thing the homeowners requested was a large shower and sunken tub. Lisle explains “This particular layout really worked for that and we were able to make the shower sort of the center of the space.”
And once again the top trend truly is personal preference. “People are really starting to downplay tubs ” Lisle adds. “You know weve always been told we need tubs but lately people are saying they dont want them. They really want a great shower. A lot of times they are the central feature in the bathroom.”
Batson agrees “The shower itself is a steam shower with a heated floor multiple showerheads and the LED lights mounted on the walls just to give that environment thats not normally seen in the home. Its like their little sanctuary.”
Resources: Want to get one of the 5 bathroom looks? Here are the teams that made it all happen.
Relaxing Retreat {page 45}
Architect John Croom with Cornerstone Residential Designs Inc.
Interior designer Amy Tyndall with
Amy Tyndall Design
Building contractor Plantation Building Corp.
Fixtures/hardware Restoration Hardware
Bath hardware Ferguson Enterprises Inc.
Plumbing fixtures Ferguson Enterprises Inc.
Electric JB Piner & Sons Electrical
Lighting Restoration Hardware and
Williams Sonoma Home
Flooring Progressive Tile Inc.
Cabinets Hollingsworth Cabinetry
Grand Escape {page 47}
Architect Blair Goodrich with Goodrich Architecture PA
Building contractor Mack Braxton now with RMB Building & Design LLC
Bath hardware and plumbing fixtures Phylrich
Plumbing Coleman Supply
Plumber Pettet Plumbing Co.
Lighting fixtures Coastal Lighting
Tile supplier Itd Italian Tile Design Inc.
Tile installer Itd Italian Tile Design Inc.
Designer Alice Evans with Dynamic
Kitchens and Interiors
Cabinet Mfg Signature Custom Cabinetry Inc.
Countertops/installer Itd Italian Tile Design Inc
Painting Connaway Custom Painting
Blue Lagoon {page 48}
Architect Michael Moorefield Architects
Builder Murray Construction Company
Interior designer Kim Turner with KTP Designs
Light fixtures Butlers Electric Supply Inc.
Electrical Jim Bowden Electrical Service Inc.
Plumbing fixtures Grohe Kohler Toto Coleman Supply
Plumbing Bob West
Cabinets doors and millwork Woodpecker Woodworks
Drawer pulls Bird Decorative Hardware & Bath
Countertops Tarheel Solid Surfaces
Glass Eastern Carolina Glass Inc.
Etched glass Carolina Glass & Mirror Dunn
Tile and installation Sellers Tile Company Inc.
Windows Woodtech Inc. Marvin Windows and Doors
Window treatments Installation Solutions
Painting Thompson Coatings
Painting and wood stain Nick Pianucci
Reclaimed Refuge {page 50}
Project manager and interior designer Susan Covington with SAC Art Designs
Building contractor Brent Tenuta Construction
Plumbing fixtures Ferguson Enterprises Inc.
Plumber Phil Jacques Plumbing
Electrician Blue Sky Electric
Lighting fixtures Louise Gaskill Company
Tile supplier Tuscany Tile & Design
Tile installer Rug Runner Inc.
Cabinet designer Susan Covington SAC Art Designs
Cabinet installer SAC Art Designs
Countertops/Installer Bluewater Surfaces
Accessories (mirrors cart dressing table doors) SAC Art Designs
Natural Wonder {page 52}
Architect David Lisle-Lisle Architecture & Design
Building Contractor Mark Batson with Tongue & Groove Builder
Fixtures/Hardware Coastal Glass & Hardware Inc.
Plumber RJP Plumbing Co.
Plumbing fixtures Ferguson Enterprises Inc.
Electric fixtures/electrician Blanchard Electric Inc.
Lighting fixtures Restoration Hardware
Wood Floor Restoration Rug Runner Inc.
Hardwood supplier/installer Rug Runner Inc.
Tile supplier/installer Rug Runner Inc.
Cabinet designer Shoreline Cabinet Co.
Cabinet manufacturer Bertch Cabinet Manufacturing Inc.
Stone cutter/backsplash Southeastern Marble & Granite
Closets Closets & Things
HVAC Airmax Heating & Cooling Inc.