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A TOUCH OF GLASS FOR BATHROOM

Written by peter    Monday, 31 August 2009

A TOUCH OF GLASS Precautions about glass houses don't necessarily apply to bath?rooms at least not to beautifully translucent walls like these. Eight-inch glass blocks form a stepped partition that secludes a comfortable walk-in shower. Glass blocks also admit light through the end wall and into an adjacent toilet alcove. The layout is basically L-shaped, but nothing's simply square: the main bath area tapers and curves at the same time; the dressing area, which links bath to bedroom, shoots off at a sharp angle. Triangular glass pendants and diagonally set floor tiles introduce interesting angles to the main bath. LOOKING UP FOR LIGHT As shown in this marble-tiled space, small and comfortable are not mutually exclusive terms. There's a lot of careful organization at work in this compact corridor layout: the built-in whirlpool tub and steam shower fit along one wall; the toilet and a vanity with double sinks line the opposite wall. The architect looked up for light and interest, creating an "escape route" for the eye in this otherwise landlocked room. Large mirrors behind the vanity reflect the skylight as well as the pale marble, enhancing the feeling of space. Although the area is small, it makes room for such amenities as a built-in TV, telephone, heated towel bar, and heat lamp. GABLE-END GLAMOUR The slopes of a second-story dormer presented obvious remodeling challenges. But instead of fighting the angles, the architect chose to highlight them: note the ceiling planes, the angular shower alcove, and the step motif on the tub partitions. Adjacent crawl spaces became opportunities for cleverly designed storage and dressing areas. The owners wanted to maintain the traditional feel of their older home. The cabinetry and tub wainscoting respect this requirement, as do the chrome hardware and the pendant light fixture. Shuttered win?dows admit light but allow privacy, as do the glass-block partitions. Indirect uplighting, built into the partitions,creates a soft wash of light at night. ETCHINGS & ANGLES When the kids moved away, an upstairs bedroom and tiny bath made way for this calm, uncrowded bathroom. A large octagonal skylight is its centerpiece; the lines of shower, storage alcove, toilet compartment, and vanity all play off that. The basic space is L-shaped, with entry through the vanity area. There's a step up to the main bath and a step down at the shower (which looks flush, but actually drops off several inches to corral water). Quiet, closely coordinated colors and textures establish a background of repose. Custom etching on the walk-in shower provides an elegant but undistracting accent. A floor-to-ceiling mirror stretches space visually and reflects shower details. Pinpoint lighting throughout the tub and shower area comes from low-voltage MR-16 downlights with slot apertures. A FITNESS CENTER FOR TWO In this master suite, owners can take a turn on the exercise machines, cool down on an adjacent deck, and then soothe sore muscles in the steam shower or whirlpool tub. The T-shaped space features "his-and-her everything": matching sinks, separate dressing rooms, a two-person tub, two shower heads (one lower than the other), and two toilet compartments. Space for this exercise and bathing center was borrowed from an unused bedroom. A vanity corridor with generous mirror and counter space (plus a separate makeup alcove opposite the sinks) links the inner bath with the bedroom. Dressing rooms branch off this central area.

Last Updated ( Monday, 31 August 2009 )

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