May 10, 2019

When redesigning this master bathroom, designer Tammy Bolden of Montclair, N.J.-based Bold Interior Designs saw firsthand that the best of outcomes can come from the worst of circumstances. A burst water pipe had devastated the space, which was already out of date and in need of a change. The destruction was a good excuse for the two homeowners to renovate, despite the bad start and the difference in their design preferences.

“The wife wanted a glamorous retreat with a lot of bling, while her husband wanted the complete opposite – a very minimalist look,” said Bolden. “I was able to combine their styles and make them both very happy.”

Working Within the Footprint
Since the base plumbing of the space was fixable and the original layout was functional, Bolden worked within the existing floor plan. This footprint featured the tub as the main focal point – centered under a large window – with a vanity on either side and the shower taking up the opposite wall. The only difference in the new layout would be the size of the shower.

“The clients wanted to enlarge the shower,” said Bolden, who created the space plan on Omni Vue Room Planner. “We were able to accomplish that by eliminating the decking around the bathtub, which allowed for more usable square footage.”

Bolden was able to increase the shower size by a foot and incorporate a bench – a must for the clients. In addition to saving space, the new freestanding tub replacing the old, jetted tub contributes to the updated design.

“The wife wanted to make sure that we kept a bathtub,” said the designer. “To accommodate the husband’s wish for minimalism, I choose the sleek soaking tub to address both of their wants.”

Two Styles, One Bath
Combining a more glamorous look like the wife wanted with the husband’s more minimalist taste was challenging. Bolden was able to please both clients with her choices in materials and fixtures.

To fulfill the husband’s preference for simplicity, she installed floating vanities with sleek, stainless-steel hardware and Euro-style door fronts with a dark chocolate finish. Chrome-finished faucets with a single swivel handle pair with a mirror also framed in chrome for the modern, minimalist appeal. The faucets complement the bath fixtures, which are part of the same collection but have two handles instead of a swivel.

Meanwhile, Bolden looked to the wife’s desire for glamour with her choices in the backsplash and the shower tile. The backsplash, a three-dimensional glass tile, contrasts the minimalist vanities with its geometric pattern and reflective surface. The shower wall and bench tile are a continuation of the floor tile – a porcelain plank that mimics natural wood graining in tones of gray, beige, taupe and light blue. A mosaic pebble-tile floor in black, gray and white and a niche in the same glass tile as the backsplash contributes additional texture to the space.

Finally, the designer used lighting to add glamour to the space. Along with simple sconces illuminating the vanities, she installed an overhead glass chandelier for a touch of the luxurious. The overall picture of the completed space – a definite upgrade from its predecessor – is one of contemporary and understated lavishness.

“My advice to other designers facing a similar challenge in contrasting styles is to mix elements of both parties’ preferences to incorporate in a design that will please them both,” said Bolden.