Natural light fills a newly renovated master bath in Dublin’s Muirfield neighborhood, spotlighting the unique, restful design. From the warm barley tones of the large-format porcelain floor tiles to the graceful, multi-tier chandelier and skylight above, a sense of soaring freedom and peace fills the space.
“This is such a soothing room,” says Gina Beebe, who along with her husband, John, has lived in their 1990s-era traditional home for eight years. “John and I enjoy the ocean, so I wanted to create a spa-like space that would suggest the sea,” she adds. The soft taupe and gray colors, combined with teal and blue, add to the sense of openness and luxury.
The couple had already renovated other areas of their home with J.S. Brown & Co. and again called upon the design-build firm to bring Gina’s vision to life. Interior designer, Monica Miller, helped the homeowner select finishes, products and new fixtures to complete the project within the couple’s timeframe and budget.
“My first thought upon entering the Beebes’ master bath was how the striking, 15-foot vaulted ceiling was not being appreciated because the eye was brought no higher than halfway up, at the point where the original mirror above the vanity stopped,” Miller recalls.
Keeping what works
Because the basic footprint of the space was not altered, economies from not moving plumbing fixtures were realized. In addition, the existing solid oak cabinetry received a fresh, new finish, further freeing up funds to splurge on a beautiful, sculptural soaking tub that is the focal point of the room.
“We emphasized the height of the room not only by complementing the existing skylight and by adding a chandelier, but also by designing a custom mirror treatment for the vanity,” Miller explains.
The chandelier is simple, elegant and timeless, lending an expansive, metropolitan vibe to the spa-like space. The stylish interpretation of oil-rubbed bronze is repeated in the light sconces incorporated into the custom-designed, two-tiered mirror of the vanity.
“Working with Monica was great—her decorating esthetic is so creative and I love how she came up with a design for our vanity that I’ve not seen anywhere else,” Gina notes. “I really like how the eye is drawn up in a new way, and the reflection of the chandelier creates so much more light,” she adds.
Diamonds in the sky
Monica’s design takes a new tack on window mullions: By utilizing an x-pattern, diamond shapes direct the eye upward, allowing one to appreciate the high ceiling.
“I knew I needed to do something vertical on this side of the room, but because we were not replacing the cabinetry, I would not be able to rely on a hutch or other furniture element to create the drama I wanted to achieve,” Monica explains. “I played around with this design for quite a while, entering different ideas into the computer and sharing ideas with Gina. I collaborated in the field with the electrician and custom carpenter to make sure we had exact dimensions—even having the electrician relocate the electrical outlets to ensure symmetry with the sconces above.” Avocet Studios completed the unique look with a hand-painted finish to coordinate with the new finish on the cabinets.
In addition, antique mirrors above the matching his-and-her sink bowls are family heirlooms that Gina wanted to incorporate. Although one of the traditionally framed mirrors is slightly larger than the other, the distance between the two—along with the refurbished, harmonizing bronze-like finish—creates congruence and balance. The oil-rubbed bronze finish of the faucets by Kohler coordinate with both the mirror frames and the lighting fixtures.
A bright white, peaceful bathtub is curvaceous and contemporary. By replacing the deck-enclosed garden tub with a freestanding design, the room is visually enlarged. The newly opened space surrounding the jetted tub also creates a longer sightline, further expanding the area.
Opening up to the light
“What struck me with the Beebes’ home is that the large, functional master bedroom, which includes a sitting area, opened into this sizeable master bathroom with a shower stall that was only four-feet-by-three feet—it was incongruous that a daily-use area would be so small and dark,” Monica recalls.
By removing the short wall between the old shower and the tub area, the room now accommodates a five-by-five foot glass-enclosed, light-filled luxurious shower with hand-held and mounted showerheads. A porcelain mosaic-tile stripe, incorporating sparkle and texture, adds interest. The chocolate, charcoal and nearly black design tiles coordinate with the barley shade of the porcelain, Triboo Mirage tiles that finish both the shower walls and the floor.
A dramatic contrast with the gentle color palette is realized in the Uba Tuba black granite that graces the vanity countertops, shower seat and shower threshold, adding to the overall sumptuous atmosphere.
“John and I are delighted with our new master bathroom—it truly is an oasis at the end of a hard day—something I love coming home to,” says Gina.
Resources: Designer: Monica Lewis Miller, CR, CMKBD; Contractor: J.S. Brown & Co.; Cabinetry: Existing, painted; Mirrors and trim: Trail Cabinet; Tile: Flooring and walls in Triboo porcelain tile in Barley, Triboo pencil liner in Carbon with Sonoma Tilemakers Dry Creek Blend Mosaic accent tile, The Hamilton Parker Company; Tub: Jacuzzi Bravo free standing soaker; Countertops: Black Uba Tuba granite, Konkus Marble and Granite; Sinks: Mirabelle; Faucets: Kohler Devonshire faucets and accessories in oil rubbed bronze; Lighting: Feiss Boulevard sconces, vanity lights, and chandelier in oil rubbed bronze; Other: Antique mirrors supplied by owner