A large, jetted, soaking tub was removed from the corner of this bathroom during renovation to make room for the new glass steam shower.
Fifteen years ago oversized bathtubs were the rage in bathroom design. Today, in a more eco-friendly world, some view these behemoths as relics, water-sucking caverns that take forever to fill and are impractical in the busy lives of everyday people. When Forest Hill, Maryland–based Post & Beam Design/Build undertook the redesign of this bathroom, the Jacuzzi tub was the first thing to go.
“We gutted the room down to the walls—only the water closet stayed the same with updated fixtures,” says designer Steve Price. “We worked within the layout of the room, which we really couldn’t change. Once the tub went away we had much more space to work with.”
The remodel was limited to the space already provided by the standing four walls, two of which have large windows, making it difficult to place plumbing and a large storage closet in the room. The homeowner wanted an aromatherapy steam shower, which was tucked into the corner of the room previously occupied by the tub. The shower is fitted with an almost seamless glass framework. Post & Beam designed a custom tower to encase the plumbing requirements of the showerhead and had the glass custom milled so as to disturb the line of the glass as little as possible. French-style doors minimize the swing room required for the doors and give the glass box an elegant appearance while a transom window provides ventilation for the steam. The aromatherapy system allows the homeowner to fill a specially designed reservoir with fluid that infuses the shower with a relaxing scent.
The unique double vanity features varied cabinet depths to create visiual interest and allow more counter surface area at the sinks.
The homeowner’s other requests were for a designated vanity where she could apply makeup and extra space for storage. To work within the confines of the existing space, these items needed to be placed beneath the windows. The vanity sits under one while the storage space was created using a custom designed window seat the owner can also use for relaxing after a shower or when getting dressed. (The window seat cleverly hides the steam generator for the shower.)
“The homeowner saw an elegant bathroom in a magazine that had a vanity with tower cabinets specially designed with trays for jewelry and other storage,” says Price. Using that as a basis, the company custom built the cabinetry for the double vanity and utilized black granite throughout the bathroom to create the refined, neutral appearance the homeowner desired. The counter of the vanity undulates slightly, a small touch that provides a unique, unmistakably custom appearance.
“The previous bathroom was colored tile in a dated pattern,” Price explains. “[The homeowner] went with a more neutral, earth-toned tile she could accent with colored linens and window treatments.” By adding color into the room in this manner, the owner can easily change the look of the room without another massive renovation.
Unlike the former bathroom, which had grown dated, the redesign is a classic with its black and white color scheme, artful use of glass and brushed nickel fixtures, not to mention the indulgent steam shower. “It’s a spa retreat,” says Price.
Christianna McCausland is a Contributing Editor for ChesapeakeHome.
Contact:
Post & Beam Design/Build: pbdesignbuild.com or 410-515-6464
