The only thing better than checking into a spa, is to have one right in your own home. A Bethel Park couple recently embarked on a home building journey that included a master bathroom design that would want for nothing. Offering all of today’s modern amenities, plus a soothing color scheme, this private sanctuary has it all.
A soft color palette was chosen for the bathroom design to be easy on the eyes and to create an immediate feeling of peace and calm. Front and center is the freestanding bathtub that sits below a dormer to amplify light. The sparkling white tub was purposely positioned in front of the window to maximize a view of lush landscape below. “We held the windows low to the floor and just above the baseboards,” explains the homeowner. “In the winter you can watch the snow falling while relaxing in a warm bubble bath.” A chandelier with dome shades adds both soft lighting and elegance to the room.
The homeowners worked with Jeff Costa, operating manager of Costa Industries LLC, on the construction of the custom project. “From design to occupancy, this project was as custom as they get,” says Costa. “The final product is truly a work of art.”
Appearing like a miniature room to the side of the tub, the shower was built-in and has a glass door for entry. The couple didn’t want a typical shower that was walled in with glass so they kept it symmetrical with the toilet area to provide balance in the room. Instead of building a square shower, wall corners were clipped to soften the overall look and not box-in the room. Both the shower and the floor are made from a porcelain tile that imitates the look of marble.
Although the owner loves the timeless look of marble, she knows that issues can arise because of its soft and delicate nature. Actual marble was used for countertops, for an accent border around the tub, and in the shower.
“I’m really particular about the fine little details of a space,” says the owner. “We paid close attention to the detail in the wood trim and cabinetry because we wanted to make it special.”
The cabinets look like a jumbo wall unit and have customized flat-boxed column posts that bump out on each end of the sinks. The marble countertop stretches a whopping 11 feet from end to end, which is substantial for a bathroom. Double bowl sinks, along with a separate makeup vanity and linen storage were all part of the blueprint.
In keeping with a modern day spa, they installed a heated towel bar and heated floors. The bathtub features air jets rather than water jets. “This is more sanitary because when you have a whirlpool type that circulates water in between, the water can sit in the lines when it hasn’t been used,” says the owner. “When it’s turned on, you can get black stuff that has been sitting in there.”
The shower is equipped with a rain head ceiling, which has four tiles dotted with holes that drop water like raindrops. For a little variety, the couple has also installed body sprays that jet water out of the walls. “Some challenges were the intricate plumbing and electrical work that was done during the framing process,” points out Costa.
The hard work, though, seems to pay off with a spa just steps away.