Refreshing a Builder-Grade Master Bath

My client, living in a relatively new condo in Silver Spring, was unsatisfied with the builder-grade master bath (see below).  Her main request was for additional accessible drawer storage but she also wanted frameless shower doors and a look that coordinated better with the higher-end finishes throughout the condo.   We did replace the shower doors but didn’t get a picture of the new doors because of too much reflection.

Custom Vanity & Vessel Sink:  In order to maximize drawer storage we designed a custom vanity.  By measuring the location of the existing trap and valves, we could custom design the vanity for maximum storage.  Using a vessel sink also frees up room in the vanity for storage.  The square vessel sink with vessel mounted faucet provides a nice focal point.  The square sink and bar pulls reflects other modern, linear touches throughout the condo.  The curve of the faucet keeps the linear look from becoming monotonous.  The sink is Porcher “Cubo” and the faucet is Hansgrohe “Talis”

Banjo Countertop:  Instead of the replacing the original rectangular countertop with the same shape, we designed a banjo countertop that also covers the top of the toilet tank.  The gives room for decorative touches and helps integrate the feel of the bath.  Soft curves provide safety as well as a nice flow.  Using 3/4 inch material emphases the horizontal lines.

Palette:  We used honey-colored cherry wood that echo the colors in the kitchen and dining room; Crema Marfil marble with grey and brown veining and Benjamin Moore “eclipse” paint in an eggshell finish.  Most of the hardware is chrome with just a few touches of brushed steel.  The dramatic palette reflects the use of saturated accent colors elsewhere in the condo.  The selection of the Crema Marfil marble makes the builder-grade crème/beige floor tile appear more luxurious than it actually is.

I neglected to take “before” pictures.  The “before” picture, below, was pulled from the listing of another unit in the building.  It’s a different configuration but uses the same materials as the one we remodeled.

Before: Builder Grade Vanilla Bath

Stone Mosaic Shower wall with matching Art Glass Cabinet Doors

Built in 1903, this vernacular farmhouse had small rooms, limited closets, and poor flow.  The owners wanted a luxurious master suite without increasing the footprint of the house.

We consolidated two small bedrooms into a spacious master bedroom.  A bit of additional room was taken from the overly large stairway landing to create ample closet space.  Both a sitting area and the bed enjoy a new fireplace and can view the TV.  Large windows on three sides flood the bedroom with light. 

A hall bath was gutted and rearranged to allow for a spacious shower in the master suite, his and her sink vanities, and a large art-glass fronted cabinet that screens the toilet as well as providing 6 large shelves of storage. 

Custom installed art adds to the luxury of the material.  Custom work includes a stone mosaic, stained glass cabinet doors, and 2 glass sinks.

Click on Image to View Larger.

Images courtesy of Braitman Design/Build

Serene Master Suite

My client had recently purchased a 1920′s home near Rock Creek Park in Washington, DC.  It had small, cramped rooms and
limited closet space typical of the era.  While Initially thinking she needed to build a sizable addition to accommodate a luxurious master suite and family room, the price estimates from other builders was prohibitive. We were able to accommodate  all of her desires within the existing footprint.  This article is about creating a comfortable master suite on the 2nd floor.  Future articles will cover the rest of the affordable renovation including (1) the upscale media room in the basement (the primary role she wanted for the family room) and (2) upgrades to the kitchen and baths, new French doors to the back, a complete paint job, and additional minor modifications. When discussing the bedrooms, my client complained about scurrying from room to room to find clothes and shoes in the morning.  And she dreamed of a serene place all her own to luxuriate.  Today she lives her dream.  She sends me pictures of the bath aglow in chromatherapy lights and claims her dressing room is her favorite room in the house with cubbies for all her shoes and a place for a chair and TV. 

Floor Plan After

We converted 2 bedrooms and a closet-sized bath into a new Master Suite — see the before and after floor plans, below. We retained the original character of the home with richly
detailed flat-panel doors, porcelain knobs, and an arched alcove for reading (chair not yet purchased).

Floor Plan Before

Details

The large-format, honed limestone tile installed without additional frills or trim sets the tone for serene luxury.  The outside edges of the large-format tile were bull-nosed and honed creating a simple but elegant detail.  The tile was used for all surfaces including floors, tub deck, walls, and vanity countertop.  Strict attention to balance and detail works beautifully.  Fixtures are reminiscent of the era of the home but without fussy details. The enlarged bedroom has room for a TV, reading chair and desk. Getting rid of the unused window seat added space visually and physically.  Replace-ment wood windows with simulated divided lites in both rooms let in views while keeping out the heat, cold and noise of the urban neighbor-hood.  We kept to a tight budget without scrimping on the special details that create a luxurious living space. Click Here to see additional images. 
All images courtesy of Braitman Design/Build ]]> http://www.braitmandesign.com/kitchens-baths/bath-remodeling/carving-out-a-master-suite/feed/ 0 http://www.braitmandesign.com/kitchens-baths/bath-remodeling/making-the-best-of-high-ceilings-in-a-narrow-space/ http://www.braitmandesign.com/kitchens-baths/bath-remodeling/making-the-best-of-high-ceilings-in-a-narrow-space/#comments Wed, 28 Jan 2009 22:16:49 +0000 Jackie Braitman http://www.braitmandesign.com/blog/?p=22

High celings — welcome throughout the house — can feel awkward in a bath.  The design of the alcove in this elegant master bath solves not only the problem of the high ceiling but several problems as well. The large crown molding was set at 83″ to create a uniform horizon above eye level but substantially below the 10′ ceilings. The bath is narrow and the 10′ ceilings felt too high in the small space. The horizon line created by the bed molding, the top of the cabinet (to the right) and the shower glass (not shown) is continuous around the room. Now the room feels in proportion.

The alcove itself solves several other problems. The cabinet to the right of the vanity defines both the vanity alcove and a separate toilet alcove. See
Floor Plan, below. The arrow represents the location of the camera.

Using the cabinet as a divider creates a more open feel than would a walled-off water closet. The custom stained glass doors further helps open the space. The cabinet also provides ample storage space for the vanity area where a recessed medicine cabinet could not be installed (the drywall is just firred off the chimney behind the mirror).

Adding, of course, to the elegance is the juxtaposition of contrasting materials: the black stained wood of the vanity & mirror frames contrasting with the white of the moldings; the hardness of the stone countertop and backsplash contrasting with the fragility of the custom glass sink; the angularity of the lines contrasting with the softness of the curtains (seen in the mirror), the gentle curves of the faucet and sconces. The richness of the moldings, the color scheme, and the general restraint ensure that the room feels rich and timeless instead of busy.

All images courtesy of Braitman Design/Build