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Light the way
The lighting choices in the bathroom were purposeful. “A well-thought-out lighting plan is integral to any room, particularly in bathrooms,” says Muschweck. “You’re doing a lot of close-up work in a bathroom, so you need to see the very best you can.” She added that having layers of lighting also is important in a bathroom so that shadows aren’t cast.
To that end, Muschweck affixed an ornate chandelier, one that speaks to the luxurious surroundings, in conjunction with recessed lighting, along with individual sconces on either side of the mirrors. Though a chandelier is not typical in a bathroom, Muschweck thought that it would provide some visual interest, acting as a piece of art. Plus, the vaulted ceiling with an open skylight is a source of natural light, as is the window, in which a custom cornice was added to give it dimension and texture. Beneath the cornice is a motorized blind for privacy. All of the lighting fixtures are on dimmers so they can be adjusted to the homeowners’ preferences.
The homeowners love all the bells and whistles of the luxurious new space. “It is all pretty spectacular. Everything is a piece of art,” he says.
In addition to the shower, another bathing option is the soaking tub, which occupies a prominent place in the center of the room. Though Muschweck removes soaking tubs more frequently than installs them to preserve precious square footage, in this case, she added a small soaking tub at the homeowner’s wife’s request. The small tub, with its elegant Roman faucets, is strategically positioned to face the vanity mirror, inside of which a small television is hidden for a relaxing bathing experience.
A fresh look
The homeowner and his wife wanted a fresh look for their en suite bathroom, one that was modern and chic, with distinct his and hers domains. The master bathroom was completely gutted and was part of a larger home renovation.
“We built our home 15 years ago; we felt it was time to update it with a new, fresh look,” says the homeowner. The homeowner and his wife gave free rein to interior designer Susan Muschweck and Splash to design a bathroom that is nothing short of a showstopper.
Muschweck says the former bathroom – while large in square footage – looked smaller than it was because of the choppy way it was designed. “The goal was to make it much more modern and efficient with all of the options that are available with plumbing and lighting. This was a very high-end project, so we were shooting for high-end materials and a very timeless design in a fairly new home,” she says.
The designer utilized the existing footprint but had to shift things around, such as removing a closet here and moving a door there, in order to attain the open feel.
The freestanding tub, which can be operated via remote control, occupies pride of place in the bathroom. Sunlight through the many windows illuminates the curved walk-in shower, Italian ceramic tile, copper bowl sinks, marble flooring and rustic chandelier.
“The master bath is designed to mimic a private spa with a large two-person walk-in shower, dual sinks, beverage bar and a beautiful free-standing soaking tub, also with a water view.”
Breaking from tradition
To enliven the home’s classic style and blue-hued color scheme, Christine created a few unexpected departures.
To keep the design elements uniform throughout the home, the granite countertops and cabinets in the master bathroom match those in the kitchen, as does the subway tile over the old-fashioned clawfoot bathtub. Standard fixtures keep the space neutral while adding a touch of elegance. A separate shower is across the room.
With its less-is-more feeling, an open master bedroom frames the spectacular view and is the gateway to a one-of-a-kind master bathroom. “We wanted a very large walk-in shower and a large walk-in closet that could be accessed from the bathroom,” the owner points out. “It makes getting dressed easy.” An outstanding spa bathtub is framed with curved ceilings, and a full wall allows entry on both sides into a door-less wraparound shower. Porcelain tiles on the floor, walls and accent pieces were masterfully blended with the stonework.
A barn door custom made by Barrington leads into the master bathroom. Billmann wanted a classic, clean, spa-like master bath. She chose white quartz for her countertops, with classic basket-weave chrome fixtures and handles. The freestanding soaking tub, with its sprayer, maintains heat for as long as the bath lasts. Like the large open spaces throughout the rest of the home, the two-showerhead shower is oversized. The skylight lends natural light to the bright space, as additional light shines through the crystal chandelier.
The upstairs of the house has four bedrooms and three bathrooms, with more rooms on the third floor as well. When the time comes for family gatherings and holidays, the couple now has plenty of room to host their adult children and their growing families. “We absolutely love this house,” she concludes, and he jokes, “We’ve downsized to a larger house.”
Master of the house
The “porch room” on the first floor was a very large and open space, akin to a ballroom, likely used for entertaining back in the day. The couple didn’t initially have a vision for how they would use this expansive space adorned with characteristic Tudor beams across the ceiling. As the design plans evolved, their desire for a first floor master suite became apparent, however all of the original bedrooms were located upstairs. The porch room was the perfect solution. It offered enough space to construct a comfortably sized master suite on the first floor with the benefit of not disturbing the original footprint or exterior of the house. The couple did not want to alter those elements in order to maintain the original look.
Elbow room
Located across the room from one another, the vanities give this happy couple plenty of leg—and elbow—room for maneuvering and getting ready for the day. Looking to add some interest to the light cabinetry, Denise says they added a little bump to the front of both vanities. “It jogs out on an angle when you get to the sink base, and then it jogs back in,” says Denise. “Rather than just being a straight vanity, we wanted to add some character and bump it out.”
Though both are topped by a gorgeous Taj Mahal granite, the two vanities offer subtle differences that reflect their respective users’ lifestyles. Both have plenty of storage underneath and a generous amount of counter space, but hers also features an area where she can sit down to do her makeup. His boasts a reverse osmosis system, a filter that turns the water into drinking water. “Since we have well water we put them in the kitchen and most of the bathrooms,” says the wife.
The whole home took about two years to complete, a wait that was worth it as the owners now have their dream bathroom, among other rooms. Although the wife admits, “The master bathroom is one of my favorite rooms in the house.” With music piping softly through speakers and a variety of design features included to maximize comfort and increase relaxation, it’s not exactly hard to see why.
Washing the day away
The shower itself was designed with two in mind. Dual entrances flank either side of it, each leading to a specific set of showerheads that the owners can program to reflect their own preferences, choosing everything from temperature to which combinations of sprays they would like (showerhead, rainhead, or body sprays). “My husband and I can have our own settings and can turn it on by a remote control before we get in,” she says.
Worried about cold feet against the Calacatta tile, they went ahead with a heated floor, both in the shower and out, that can be easily manipulated from a control mounted on the wall. Keeping a further eye to their comfort, they decided to add a towel rack just inside of the shower openings, far enough away from the spray to remain dry.
Let the light shine in
It’s a daring move—letting so many windows pepper the walls of your bathroom. Where most people would use textured glass or thick window treatments to obscure any view that nosy neighbors might have, this couple balked tradition and left their windows completely unadorned. It helps that their property is fairly private, extensive enough to allow for this family to spend time paintballing and four-wheeling in their own back yard. The shoulder-height windows let in the abundance of natural light that the wife craved. “I didn’t want the shower to be dark,” she says. “We have four windows in the shower. It’s great, we really don’t even have to turn lights on, except at night.”
The soaking tub was set away from an angled wall to serve as the focal point of the elegant master bathroom. Like in its downstairs counterpart, the walk-in shower has no door so it feels completely connected to the rest of the room. While Sheila wanted hardwood flooring, porcelain look-a-like tile was chosen to hold-up in the beach air.
When it came to designing Mike and Sheila’s new master bathroom, Van Selow remembers the initial inspiration being a picture of an egg-shaped soaking tub. “Sheila knew she wanted a soaking tub, and it works perfectly in the space because there are no other curves in the room – except in the chandelier,” she explains.
“They have the biggest shower we’ve ever done,” Van Selow says of the massive shower in the renovated downstairs suite. “The original space had two closets, glass block, and the tub was in the center. It was a major renovation.”
Despite the transformation, Van Selow describes how they repurposed the original vanity by raising it up on a pedestal and running tile underneath to give it a built-in appearance. The tub surround was built to replicate the vanity, and it pops against the two tiled walls of the space.
NK Woodworking & Design – Lotus Bath Collection
My time at the show was winding down, and, frankly, I was making my way out of the Orange County Convention Center when I was stopped in my tracks. A gorgeous bathtub, part of the Lotus Bath Collection by NK Woodworking & Design, was like nothing I had seen before.
These bathtubs are handcrafted from sustainable hardwoods and finished with a specialized clear composite barrier. The look is simply amazing. Functional works of art, the bathtubs were designed by Nathie Katzoff of NK Woodworking & Design, fabricated at NK’s shop in Seattle, Washington and can be shipped anywhere.
Checkeye was given a basic guideline to follow in the master bath. The idea was to design something very “Zen-like,” and nothing too fancy. The designer used marble on the walls and the floor. “We had a few large walls for artwork and found a wonderful three-dimensional sculpture which added texture to the smooth surfaces,” says Checkeye. Cabinets were raised from the floor, giving the illusion that they are floating in the air.
A relaxing retreat
The expansive master suite also features a beautiful mixture of furniture and an eye-catching rug. “It makes me smile when I enter my bedroom,” says Ruth. A shared closet/dressing room leads to a functional bath, also adorned with two bright, swirly light fixtures. The floating tub with a half-wall shower behind gives a modern ambiance.
White tile flooring ushers the homeowner toward the master bedroom located behind the bath. Positioned over the white soaking tub floats the larger-than-life mosaic of a man. This art feature, comprised of Sicis cut glass mosaic tile, was created to be removable if the homeowner ever wishes to change the space.
The inviting master suite boasts an oversized walk-in closet offering a center storage island and plenty of shoe racks. The focal point of the adjoining bathroom is a sleek, modern Kohler soaking tub, centered in the space. Two separate vanities, topped with the same Cambria quartz seen in the kitchen, are recessed into the entry wall, opposite a wall of glass, which encloses the water closet and the Kohler DTV Bluetooth shower system. The digital shower system allows the user to control the water temperature and the spray patterns of the six showerheads from an iPad.
The master bath is a perfect example of the geometric symmetry that prevails in the home. Rich, copper tones in the floor-to-ceiling glass tiles reflect the warm glow of a recessed dome metallically finished and housing a chandelier. The black granite floor reflects recessed lighting hidden beneath the chestnut colored cabinetry, creating the feeling of walking on a midnight sky. Hexagonal shower and toilet enclosures flank the elegant white tub framed by the stunning wall tile and a picture window.
Becoming a city girl
Patty lived nearly 30 years of her life as a small town girl before moving into her penthouse. She decided to move to Dayton from Greenville, Ohio, to be closer to her aging father. Her first instinct was to find a place out in the suburbs, but she quickly fell in love with the idea of living downtown.
She loves the amenities of a larger town like Dayton and, despite what some may think, she feels extremely safe. She envisioned the penthouse not only as a home, but as an extension of her job as a non-profit consultant. She’s already hosted several parties for her clients offering the beautiful space as a free location for fundraisers.
Dion McMullen, owner of Londonbury Homes, was the builder on the most recent remodel. He says while it was unusual to remodel such a fairly new unit, owners often want to put their own personality into their living spaces. “The open-space design and the size of the kitchen/great room is not something you see in these downtown buildings too often,” McMullen says.
To accomplish her design goals, Amy eliminated a bedroom, bathroom and hallway and expanded a galley kitchen to create an elongated, open-concept living space that incorporated the dining room, kitchen and great room.
An outdoor lover, Amy wanted to include an earthy, natural look into her surroundings. “I love things that are reclaimed, that have a restored look,” she says.
When Don and Danielle McCloskey built their house in late 1999, it was their dream home. “It was our first go at building a house, and while it was our dream house – there were some things we didn’t get to do because we were trying to stay under budget,” Don says. “Over the years, we have completed three major projects – the most recent being our master bathroom.” In 2009 the McCloskeys finished their lower level, and in 2015 they built a carriage house—but this year the couple decided to do something solely for themselves—create a luxurious, spa-like retreat in their master suite.
To maintain the industrial/contemporary design theme in furnishings, Mark invited Debbie Ricciardi of More Decorating Solutions in Tampa to join their team.
Secluded sanctuary
The couple worked with architect Mali Torriero, owner of Luca Construction and Design, and Maria Fairbanks, designer at Splash, to help them with the design ideas and construction. “The bathroom came about from the design of the entire house,” explains Torriero. “With them having such a secluded site, there weren’t any restrictions for privacy, which allowed for the floor-to-ceiling corner window.” The corner window is stacked three levels high, from the basement to the third floor, and overlooks a panoramic view of nature at its best. “It’s an incredible feature,” says the owner. “Whether it’s deer or landscape, there’s always something beautiful to look at.”
With a heated backrest and air bubble massage, the freestanding tub allows for an amazing soak with a spectacular view. Poured cement countertops were stained, and go with the natural vibe of the room. “Concrete evokes a natural feel yet can be formed to have a modern presence,” points out the architect. Kaetlin relishes her own secluded makeup station. “It’s very nice because my husband can be on one side of the room while I can enjoy that space as my own private area.” Wood floors flow in from the bedroom, allowing for continuity of the entire master suite.
The freestanding tub in the wet room overlooks the property and sits opposite the oversized shower. The tub, which was one of the first decisions made by the homeowners, has a contemporary twist, and is tucked in front of two walls covered in quarried dimensional stone, which helps to create a natural look without becoming rustic.
With all of the design precision Jim put into it, they plan to stay in this one a while.
Home sweet home
John says it took one year, to the day, to build and furnish the family’s dream home. And they couldn’t be happier with how everything turned out. Dana, a recently retired schoolteacher, enjoys managing the horses and tending to her massive garden. “I’ve always had a garden,” Dana explains.
“Salsa is her specialty,” John adds.
“I just put in pumpkins, so Ellie can pick her own at Halloween.”
And while John is busy with construction, he’s taking time to enjoy game nights with his kids. Clearly this is a home built with family in mind.
Imposters
Tile masquerading as hardwood flooring is now a commonplace way to enjoy a whitewashed, weathered or wide-plank finish in any room, and appears in nearly all of this year’s homes.
Clamp suggests checking out Cement Tile Shop’s Instagram feed to get a sense of how much or how little their clients use. And just like other natural stone tile, cement tiles are durable and can last a lifetime. “Well-installed, the tiles can last over 100 years,” Stephens says. “At their core, encaustic tiles are hydraulically pressed concrete, a very durable material.”
Other than the kitchen, bathrooms are a great place to add patterned tiles. In that case, it’s important to know that both Stephens and Clamp say their tiles are safe to use in showers so you don’t have to worry about slipping. “Our tiles have been tested by the Tile Council of North America and more than meet ADA requirements for slip resistance,” Clamp says. “We do recommend sealing the tiles for protection from moisture in wet areas.”
Location, location, location
It all depends on the room you’ve chosen to remodel, but if you want patterned tiles and you aren’t sure what room to put them in, Stephens recommends to start with the kitchen or a bathroom. Keep in mind that you are not just limited to flooring—kitchen backsplashes and shower focal points or wall niches are great places to add a touch of character or vintage style.
When it comes to the types of tile you are looking for, material makes a huge difference. According to Stephens, tiles made with low-grade pigment will not have the same richness and depth of color and those made without marble powder—an important component added to the cement—will not have the same natural luster.
The basics
Melanie Stephens, co-founder of Granada Tile, says cement tile has revitalized an art form that developed in France in the mid-1800s. Some even say the true origins of this tile date back to Barcelona.
Soothing palette
The grays, whites and beiges are as neutral as they come, and Florio knows that having this color palette will make his new rooms universally intriguing.
“Tampa is halfway between a very traditional market north of us, and a very modern market in South Florida like Miami, and bathrooms like these work in aspects of both,” Ferrantegennaro says. “You have traditional and modern elements, and I think that appeals to most people.”
Written by: Abby Weingarten/Photos by: Johan Roetz
Lithia homeowner Joe Florio hoped to come away with two things after completing three bathroom remodeling projects in his home: tranquil living spaces and surefire resell value. F “The original bathrooms were from 2003, so they were very dated and much smaller,” says Florio, a retiree who lives in the 3,500-square-foot, four-bedroom, three-bathroom home with his wife. “The master bathroom was a different design with white cabinets and a huge jet tub. The other bathroom with the tub was a Jack and Jill but it was tiny, with a small double vanity, and you had to go around the closet to get to the toilet and the tub. The other bathroom was tiny, too.”
In addition to the pieces from Annabelle’s, Darlene herself added Castilian lamps and a few other accent pieces from their many travels during Stephen’s military career.
The roaring 20s
In their master bathroom, the homeowners had a distinct era they were hoping to replicate. “They wanted the bathroom to feel like it was installed in the 1920s,” explains Haynes. “We went with all Carrara marble and polished chrome fixtures.”
The floor plan of the space stayed as it was, with an expansive, u-shaped closet tucked behind the walk-through shower. The closet is accessed through the two, curved doors on either side of the massive soaking tub.
Instead, they created their own, starting with just a small photo torn from a magazine.
The spa tub not only has the typical water jets but is also installed with a system of colorful LED lights that can be adjusted for chromotherapy treatments in which the color of the water changes to suit the bather’s mood, with Asher pointing out his favorite is blue. A fireplace at the foot of the tub adds to the atmosphere of this truly unique experience.
Dark wood cabinetry accented by white stone countertops sets the tone. Natural light pours in through a large window above the pristine white soaking tub.
Resources:
Designer: John Harkleroad, CR, UDCP, Brentwood Builders, Inc.; Carol Landing, Productive Designs
Bathroom flooring: Cement Tile Shop
Bathtub: Sheba Acrylic freestanding tub, Signature Hardware
Vanity and countertop: James Martin Furniture
Sinks: Porcelain vessel, Legion Furniture
Faucets: Pioneer Motegi
Shower and wall tile: Merola subway tile, Home Depot
Paint: Summer House (bathroom), Abstract (bedroom), Behr Ultra
Bathroom lighting: Trent Austin Design wall mount vanity lights
Bedroom lighting: Uttermost
Bedroom flooring: Jasper engineered hardwood in Baltic Oak
Windows: Simonton Brickmould, Sibco Building Products
Bedroom wallcovering: Candice Olson Diva
Bedroom rug: Company C Adele
Barn door: Barndoorhardware.com
Bonus Points-Suite Design Choices
The homeowner, Dr. Jenny Hartsock-Vandine, was instrumental in selecting the interior finishes for the new space. The refreshing bedroom leads into a master bathroom retreat complete with an elegant patterned cement tile floor with radiant heat, artistic-inspired vessel sink bowls and a beautiful wood vanity that resembles a piece of furniture.
Written by: Abby Weingarten/Photos by Johan Roetz
Tampa is home to a wide range of residential architecture. From the clean look of coastal contemporary to the rich aesthetic of Tuscan or Mediterranean architecture, you can find nearly any design style your heart desires. Many local builders like Toliver Payne, are now craving refreshing alternatives. For his new home on Lake Cooper in Lutz, Payne went for a less oceanic and more lakeside look with rustic, Tuscan and “almost Medieval” elements.
Clear glass doors enclose the white tiled shower, interrupted only by Kohler fixtures and an intriguing inset, “I knew I wanted a clean, white subway tile in there, but it’s such a big shower that we thought it would be kind of cool to do a focal point.”