Article by Mitchell Parker, Houzz Editorial Staff. Home design journalist writing about cool spaces, innovative trends, breaking news, industry analysis, and humor.
2. Tudor Touch-Up
Designers: Duet Design Group
Location: Denver
Homeowners’ request. “The homeowners’ master bath was all original to the 1935 Tudor home, complete with blue and yellow porcelain tile, a pinwheel design on the floor, a tub and small pedestal sink,” designer Tracey Ranta says. “All the old was removed down to the studs. The vision was to create a beautiful and functional bath that fit the historic style. They wanted a large shower versus a tub, as there wasn’t room for both.”
Shower features. Blue-gray marble mosaic tile flooring. Subway tile walls with dark gray grout. The threshold and bench top are Carrara marble. Chrome shower fixtures. The location of the shower controls allows the owners to turn on the water without getting sprayed. “The seamless glass shower wall and door make the bathroom feel larger,” Ranta says.
Other special features. Black-and-white patterned wallpaper inspired by Renaissance drawings. “It complements the overall style and brings a playful feel to the space,” Ranta says. The main flooring is blue-gray marble. The sink features chrome legs with acrylic inserts and a marble top.
“The elegant style of the bathroom remains true to the style of the home,” Ranta says. “It was important to the homeowners that it didn’t feel disconnected.” Tile wainscoting lined the walls of the original bathroom, so tile wainscoting was executed in the new bathroom. Subtle details include baseboard tile molding that complements the molding used throughout the house.
Floor tile: Cielo Crystal, Ann Sacks; washstand sink: Waterworks; wallpaper: Modern Toile in black, Schumacher
3. Accent Attraction
Designer: Jennifer Zetooney of Zetooney Hanson Interiors
Location: Whitefish, Montana
Homeowners’ request. “This bathroom was designed for an adjoining bunkroom,” designer Jennifer Zetooney says. “The client wanted to maximize storage for their guests, so we added a tall linen cabinet (not shown), as well as additional storage above the toilet.”
Shower features. Glossy blue-gray porcelain 3-by-16-inch wall tile. Glazed basalt 2-inch mosaic hexagonal floor and accent tile.
Other special features. Quartz countertop and shower threshold with colors that complement the blue-gray wall tiles.
Designer tip. “Don’t be afraid to be creative with your accent tiles,” Zetooney says. “We broke away from the traditional horizontal stripe liners and created oversized framed sections of the hexagon. It really adds that wow factor without being too busy. Also, mixing two hardware finishes is a must. We blended black and stainless in this space. Black hardware and lighting tied in the countertops, and the stainless kept the transitional feel alive.”
Countertop and threshold: Praa Sands, Cambria; shower floor and accent tile: Lava Calda mosaic in White Blend, 2 inches, Ann Sacks; wall paint: Snowbound, Sherwin-Williams
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4. Band Together
Designer: Jack Ovadia of Ovadia Design Group
Location: Brooklyn, New York
Homeowners’ request. “For our client’s master bath, a complex gut renovation transformed the overall residence,” designer Jack Ovadia says. “The homeowners aimed for a luxurious spa experience, prioritizing a spacious steam shower that would seamlessly transition between showering and sitting areas, ensuring both privacy and tranquillity.”
Shower features. Rectangular tiles in varying tones and in a stacked horizontal pattern create a banded effect with visual interest and movement. “A handheld shower attachment was incorporated to add flexibility and convenience, also allowing for the ability for water flow during showering or steam sessions,” Ovadia says. “For finishes, we chose polished nickel for the shower fixtures and hardware, providing a modern touch. The tiles were selected in a neutral color palette to complement the overall theme of the bathroom and enhance the fresh, airy feel.”
Other special features. Double vanity with a Calacatta gold marble countertop and waterfall edge. Inset floor tile detail with chevron pattern.
Designer tip. “One of our favorite additions that we included in this bathroom is adding radiant-heat flooring,” Ovadia says. “This feature is especially ideal for residences located in temperamental seasons. Stepping onto warm floors out of the shower is one of the best sensations and creates a special luxe detail.”
5. Open Season
Designer: William Peacock Design
Architect: Backen & Backen
Builder: Jim Pitcher of CRC Builders
Location: Napa, California
Homeowners’ request. “The homeowners expressed a clear vision for this particular room, seeking to merge the comforts of indoor living with the refreshing ambiance of the outdoors,” builder Jim Pitcher says. “The overarching theme they aimed for was a blend of modern farmhouse aesthetics with rustic elements, such as exposed beams juxtaposed with sleek steel details.”
Shower features. Large pocketing doors with privacy glass. Honed Crema Garda limestone shower walls. Suede marble flooring in a brushed finish. Handcrafted blackened steel shower arm with rain shower head. Floating bench. Niches.
Other special features. “The walls are adorned with Fresco Harmony, a specialized treatment that emanates a warm and inviting glow,” Pitcher says.
Builder tip. “Incorporating the art of symmetry into your design can significantly enhance the aesthetics of your space,” Pitcher says. “By ensuring harmony in dimensions, proportions and arrangement, you create a sense of balance that resonates throughout the room. One technique that can be utilized is to carefully distribute building components and elements within the space to achieve perfect symmetry. This can include aligning furniture symmetrically, balancing wall decor and maintaining consistency in color schemes. By embracing symmetry, homeowners can elevate their interiors, creating a visually pleasing environment that exudes harmony and balance.”
6. Creative Corner
Designer: Jennifer Hensley of Capital Kitchen & Bath
Location: Lexington, South Carolina
Homeowners’ request. “My clients moved in to a higher-end newer home but the bathroom was always the same, still with the older-style large corner tub, small shower and basic vanity,” designer Jennifer Hensley says. “They wanted a more up-to-date feel, a vanity area and a larger shower only, no tub. They also needed more space and storage.”
Shower features. Calacatta marble hexagonal wall tiles. Matte porcelain 6-by-32-inch floor tiles. Matte black shower fixtures. The half wall on the right contains two shower niches for products.
Other special features. Maple vanities with quartz countertops.
Designer tip. “Separating the vanity space from the sink area allowed me to create a separate area that tied the cabinetry in to balance it as well as use mirrors in both places to make the bathroom feel even larger,” Hensley says. “Using frameless glass and selecting a tile that blended with the walls is also a great way to make a bathroom appear larger.”
Shower fixtures: Monitor 14 series, Delta; wall paint: Agreeable Gray, Sherwin-Williams
7. Wet-Room Wonder
Designer: Rothman+Rothman Design
Design-build firm: Mosaic Design + Build
Location: Atlanta
Homeowners’ request. “Their old bathroom had a separate tub and shower, and the homeowner wanted a larger, curbless, two-person shower but still wanted a bathtub,” says Jeanne Bourgeois, a designer and project manager at Mosaic Design + Build. “They wanted to take advantage of their private backyard and bring in as much nature as possible.”
Shower features. Freestanding resin tub inset into porcelain tile bench. Double shower heads with handheld sprayer. Curbless shower with concealed linear drain. Large-format marble-look porcelain wall tile in a matte finish. Larger hexagonal porcelain floor tile in a matte finish.
Designer tip. “A concealed linear drain is a great way to hide the drain and not have it in the center of the floor,” Bourgeois says.
“Uh-oh” moment. “When we designed the tub to recess into the bench, we had to get creative with waterproofing and how the tile worked with the tub,” Bourgeois says. “Also, leveling the tub on a sloped shower pan took some creativity as well.”
Wall tile: Astrella Bianco matte porcelain, Floor & Decor; shower drain: Cohen, Signature Hardware
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1. Arch Arrival
Designer: Melissa Gierhahn for MK | Designs Studio
Location: Mesa, Arizona
Homeowners’ request. “This was a small, closed-off and dark primary bathroom that had a funky layout with lots of angles and broken-up spaces, original to the ’80s build,” designer Melissa Gierhahn says. “The clients wanted a spa-like feel that would be timeless and in style for years to come. They wanted a transitional feel with pops of unique touches and textures. Also, a steam shower, stand-alone tub and secret hidden door from the toilet closet to an infrared sauna were a must.”
Gierhahn uses Houzz Pro business software to manage projects. “We used Houzz for our 3D renderings and to do all of our conceptual phase and admin work, keeping track of budget, invoicing, managing schedules and keeping track of files,” she says. “Our clients like it because they can look at real-time updates to mood boards that we send for approval or products that we suggest in the room and approve and leave notes on each thing.”
Shower features. “The steam shower features an overhead rain shower head as well as a handheld and normal shower head,” Gierhahn says. “A built-in bench gives it more of the spa-like feel. Green skinny subway tiles on all shower walls and ceiling make it feel like a retreat from everyday life. A niche was designed to be hidden from the front view so the focus would be on the door and fixtures. The star of this shower is the custom arched iron door created to coordinate with the custom arched window next to the freestanding tub and align with existing arched architectural details throughout the rest of the house.”
Other special features. “Handmade custom lighting throughout creates the mood and spa-like feel at any time of day,” Gierhahn says. “White oak wood fluting was added to the custom arch behind the bathtub to ground the room and bring in warmth and an upgraded feel. A double vanity with matching wood fluting and an extra-tall backsplash balance out the wood and create a dramatic wall moment.”
Designer tip. “In a primary bath, use this as an opportunity to be bold and incorporate elements that you may be hesitant to use in a larger, more public space in your house,” Gierhahn says. “Always add ambient lighting and don’t be afraid to bring in some bold touches. Think of the amount of time in your life you will spend in this room.”
Duet Design Group