At-home Spa Bath: After
This 30-inch-wide “waterfall” of glass and slate mosaics, flowing from ceiling to tub deck to floor, now draws the eye into the new bathroom. The design by AB&K Bath and Kitchen of Wisconsin makes the whirlpool tub the focal point. Porcelain tile that simulates natural limestone coordinates with the mosaics. To get to the new design, the step was removed, shower lowered to floor level, and the single bowl, built-in vanity and linen closet were taken out. A walk-in shower features river rocks that massage tired feet. It includes a seat kept at tub deck level to maintain a pleasing constant horizontal line.
Espresso-stained basin stands are a pleasant contrast to the room’s muted finishes. Two streamlined open vanity stands and basins provide plenty of individual prep space. Warm golden undertones are provided by the satin nickel finish on plumbing fixtures and accessories. Recessed lighting on dimmer switches let the owners set the mood. A color scheme of cream, blue and gray wraps this master bath in tranquility.
At-home Spa Bath: Before
This old bathroom had outdated fixtures, uninteresting tiles, 30-inch-high cabinetry, and unattractive finishes. It also had a tub and shower with a dangerous 8-inch-high step.
Goal: A spa-style master bath that was functional, soothing and aesthetically pleasing. View the final outcome on the next slide.
Metro Chic Retreat: After
AB&K Bath and Kitchen of Wisconsin created this chic new master bath by using the existing space more effectively while dealing with the hydronic heat system running through ceiling, floor, and wall to ceiling. To work with the hydronic lines, a coffered ceiling was created with a channel running to the back shower wall. It creates both structural interest and draws the eye to the accent tile. The original layout used about 37 square feet for entry to the bath, one of two master closets and a linen closet. The plan developed by designer Linda Laabs creates a less constraining, functional, well-lit bath with upgraded materials. The three separate closets were united into one large walk-in closet. Once-wasted entry space was used for the bath area. The shower, which includes a seat and window, incorporates tile and glass and bathed in plenty of light. Lights dramatically frame the room. Three lights illuminate the shower, one spotlights the tile and accent lighting lights up the toe kick. Custom cabinetry, heated floors, heated towel rack, body and hand-held shower sprays, waIl-hung TV and accent glass panel make this retreat a luxurious experience.
Cost: Approximately $75,000
For more info: ABandK.com
Metro Chic Retreat: Before
This master bath, original to the home, had full walls of grey glass, a pink bathtub and chrome built-ins. Narrow and confining, it had limited light, a single-bowl vanity, small single threshold shower and standard bath tub.
Goal: Open space, a large shower, lots of light and the functionality of today’s better appointments. View the final outcome on the next slide.
Delightful Contemporary: After
This transformation by AB&K Bath and Kitchen of Wisconsin now provides a soothing , contemporary sanctuary. How was it done? The room’s hollow core door was replaced with a wood door and painted white to match existing woodwork. The new door’s fluted glass allows in natural light. The old shower’s full-height side walls were removed and rebuilt to open it to the light. The right wall housing plumbing is now 76 inches high and the left is a frameless glass panel extending to the pivot shower door. The soffit above the vanity was removed. To address lighting and moisture, two recessed dimmable can lights went in the ceiling and a recessed water vapor light and exhaust fan in the shower ceiling. To take any chill out of the air, a wall heater is left of the entrance door. A taller maple vanity with a 10-inch toe kick gives the contemporary look lacking in the old white vanity and the toe kick’s removable panel provides plumbing access. A recessed bevel-edged medicine cabinet replaces the mirror. Two contemporary wall mount side lights on a dimmer permit perfect task lighting or great ambiance. Tile throughout complements the colors and feel of the stone ravine just outside. Two- by two-inch tiles in the shower and 12- by 12-inch tiles on the floor replaced one-inch tiles. The larger tiles also replaced the 4- by 4-inch wall tile and were installed floor to ceiling in the shower and behind the vanity. The Corian countertop with an integral bowl and 3-inch edge brought in a contemporary yet natural look. The metal soap shelf, plumbing fixtures, hardware and towel bars are in a brushed nickel finish. The original toilet was re-installed and original blind re-installed. The walls were painted a dove gray.
Cost: Approximately $30,000
For more info: ABandK.com
Delightful Contemporary: Before
This master bath in a contemporary ranch nestled among trees atop a ravine needed an update.
Goal: A bathroom with light, a higher vanity, a great shower, low maintenance and a design that complemented the home’s location. View the final outcome on the next slide.
Urban Organic: After
Using the space from what had been a maid’s bedroom and bath, brooksBerry of St. Louis created this stunning master bathing area. A deep aromatherapy tub now provides pampering comfort. Placing it on a wood pedestal allowed plumbing to run beneath without compromising the structural concrete floor of the high rise. A generously scaled, double-sided Wenge wood island, at left, features a limestone top and handmade glass knobs. Built up on legs, the island makes the floor seem larger and the room look bigger than it is. The bathing area is encircled with built-in wardrobe closets offering a packing counter island and double-wide concrete trough sink. For a restorative look, the walls were painted in Limon. Natural cleft slate covers the floor and shower walls uniting the space into a dynamic whole.
Cost: Approximately $120,000
For more info: brooksberry.com
Urban Organic: Before
This was a tiny bathroom off a maid’s bedroom in a 1950’s high rise.
Goal: A new master bath using the space from both rooms. View the final outcome on the next slide.
From Sterile to Spiritual: After
There’s no denying the spirit in this uplifting new bathroom design by brooksBerry Kitchens and Baths of St. Louis. The trapezoid clerestory windows, now adorned with stained wood millwork, and new ceiling beams accent the soaring architecture of the space. They provide an inspired framework for the altar-like double vanity below. Teak hardwood flooring grounds this heavenly setting. A his/hers medicine/appliance cabinet placed between prep areas generously remembers the need for family-friendly space. To help ease away the cares of the world, an aromatherapy pedestal tub awaits. The tub’s curvaceous skirt shows on the front to soften the angular space and maximize the exposed floors, making this tall room appear wider. A walk-in shower, white plank beadboard outside and stone-like tile inside, is designed like a nautilus shell to contain splashing water from multiple body sprays.
Cost: Approximately $100,000
For more info: brooksberry.com
From Sterile to Spiritual: Before
This old bathroom resembled a big white plastic bleach bottle.
Goal: A spiritual, family-friendly space. View the final outcome on the next slide.
Vintage, Updated: After
This new bathroom is bright and versatile yet holds to the home’s 1920’s vintage style under the design of Interior Spaces of Tampa. The renovation included gutting the room, moving the plumbing and updating the wiring. The original entry door was eliminated to accommodate the sink and toilet. A closet opening into a hallway was removed and replaced with a new bathroom entry door. Those moves enlarged the room to five by 10 feet, not large but spacious compared to the original. A floor-to-ceiling built-in cabinet was created for towels and linen storage. An above-toilet cabinet brought extra storage. A white-on-white palette features shiny chrome fixtures. Faceted tile on the tub surround creates a wonderfully rich jewel-box finish. In the mirror reflection, note the one course of subway wall tile turned vertically, creating a “soldier course.” Half-inch black tile lining above and below the course adds character and just enough color. A square base pattern chosen for the toilet, jetted tub, sink, towel bars and toilet paper holders gives the room a more masculine statement. Following that idea, a rectangular tilt-mirror was selected instead of a more traditional oval. The project includes new overhead lighting, sconces and floor tile. For an extra touch, a concealed medicine cabinet opens and acts like a medicine cabinet but is designed as a picture frame available for the homeowner’s choice of art.
Cost: Approximately $15,000.
For more info: Intspacesinc.com
Vintage, Updated: Before
This old bathroom was cramped, had outdated fixtures and its tile and flooring colors conflicted with the rest of the renovated home.
Goal: A bathroom with better lighting and storage space. View the final outcome on the next slide.
Realizing Potential: After
This fabulous new master bath suite now sparkles. Interior Spaces Inc. of Tampa designed the new space to encompass a closet/dressing room, a separate area for two vanities, large space for bath and separate shower, an alcove for toilet and lots of storage in custom cabinetry. Ceiling lights, beautiful lamps on shelves and ambient light through the large window illuminate this ideal refuge. Beautiful glass tile on portions of the wall perfectly complement the white marble surrounds and white marble flooring.
Cost: Approximately $80,000
For more info: Intspacesinc.com
Realizing Potential: Before
This unassuming almost “tract-like” master bathroom was not doing justice to a beautiful home on a golf course and its fixtures and finishes gave the whole space a dated feeling.
Goal: Using the large space available to its best potential. View the final outcome on the next slide.
Third-floor Challenge: After
This stunning example of maximized bathroom luxuries, designed by Kimball Derrick, CKD, of The Kitchen Design Studio in Cincinatti, required special considerations. The makeover was major, taking in a space that had become nearly 15 feet wide and more than 30 feet long. Just to provide access for materials, a bedroom window had to be removed. The room next to the old bathroom had to be gutted and plumbing and electrical restructured. To accommodate added weight, the floor had to be reinforced with steel beams. In the new enlarged suite, a two-person Jacuzzi with granite surround allows water to be heated and filtered, eliminating time-consuming refilling. Cabinets below provide plumbing access. Of course, there are separate vanities showcasing marble countertops of double thickness with a profiled edge. Each vanity has convenient above-counter cabinets, magnifying mirrors and curved sink bases with drawers. Dark-stained walnut cabinetry, embellished with twisted rope pilasters, extends to the ceiling to provide the illusion of height for the eight-foot ceilings. Three different cuts of marble placed in a trompe l’ oeil, or fool-the-eye, pattern cover the floor. An etched glass door opens to a comfortably large shower space with granite surround where a body can relax with multiple shower heads and body sprays. To keep everything convenient, a stacked washer and dryer and easy-access closet space are included in the suite.
Cost: Over $100,000
Photo: © Ross Van Pelt
Third-floor Challenge: Before
Nearly every available inch in this bathroom on the third floor of a four-story townhouse was covered in mirrors. The owners realized it had to go.
Goal: A master bath suite for the ultimate experience. View the final outcome on the next slide.
Enlarged and In Style: After
To make this transformation, Small Carpenters at Large of Atlanta created a plan to convert the bathroom and a screened porch into a large bathroom and laundry room. Tile, beadboard wainscoting, medicine cabinets, classic plumbing and light fixtures were all details chosen carefully. It was important that they be compatible with the home’s Craftsman style. Shelving in the half wall at the toilet area and at the tub deck creatively provide added storage and display areas. Cleverly allowing access to the linen closet from both the laundry room and the bathroom eliminated the dead space that often exists in closets. The imaginative layout now brings a certain spaciousness and orderliness to the room.
Cost: $35,000
The old bathroom in this 1930s’ Craftsman home was cramped, lacked storage space and was in very bad shape.
Goal: A bright and open bathroom with plenty of storage. View the final outcome on the next slide.
Contemporary and Comfortable: After
For this entire suite renovation by Small Carpenters at Large of Atlanta, a new symmetrical design was put into play. A soaking tub was located directly below the dormer window, a spacious open shower was placed on the right and a private water closet was set to the left. Vanity areas were placed on either side of the bathroom door to provide wonderful storage and daily preparation space for each owner. Connecting it all was marble. There are marble tiles on the floor and walls, marble slabs on the vanity counters and tub deck, and a marble mosaic tile on the shower floor. Beech wood enhancing the vanities also was used on the tub face, nicely tying together the two elements. That ceiling-mounted light fixture, custom built to resemble a skylight, projects a soft light and adds a unique touch. Contemporary fixtures and finishes completed the remake.
Cost: $65,000-$70,000
The homeowners did not like the style, fixtures, finishes or quality of the master bath in their 1990’s home
Goal: A contemporary-styled room providing quality, design, spaciousness and comfort. View the final outcome on the next slide.
Sophisticated Contemporary: After
Clever layout decisions and sophisticated color and material choices by XStyles studio of Michigan were able to create this stylish sanctuary. Moving the tub to the back wall and floating the vanity and makeup counter visually give the floor more space. To handle a lower-level staircase that created an angled protrusion in the floor, a shower bench and decorative niche were incorporated so precious square footage was not lost. The color palette features shades of taupe. The floor is darker to act as a foundation for the furniture pieces and new pocket door stained with wenge, a rich dark brown finish. Now without windows, the room has a frosted glass panel to allow in ambient light and act as a signal when the room is occupied. Extras that make this room a haven include a heated floor, heated towel warmer, decorative niche with glass shelves and halogen spot, xenon lighting behind a floating mirror, and three blown glass sconces hanging from the ceiling. The modular rectified porcelain tile is perfectly suited for an Italian modern feel. Minimalist lines of tub and sink echo the sophisticated style while curves in the plumbing fixtures soften the linear elements.
Cost: $35,000
For more info: Learn more at XStylesBath.com
Sophisticated Contemporary: Before
In this old bathroom, a narrow walkway separated vanity, toilet, and outdated linen closet on the left from makeup area and tub on the right.
Goal: A new master bath that was functional, adult, and contemporary. View the final outcome on the next slide.