For a 20-year-old primary bathroom in a Nashville home, not only was it dated, but there was also water damage in the shower with several cracked tiles. Designer Rebecca Robinson of Monarch Lane Interiors decided to gut the space with the help of Kingdom Builders of Tennessee, the contractor on the project and the firm that built the home originally.

Identifying and Meeting Client Objectives

“The client wanted to make sure the room was being used at its highest potential and that the materials and finishes would be of great quality,” said Robinson. “My goals to create the luxurious bath were to open up the wing walls around the garden tub, replace it with a freestanding unit, open up the shower so it wouldn’t feel like a cave and create a better solution for cabinetry and storage.”

The freestanding soaker tub is centered under the window where the previous garden tub was located, and the designer opened the steam shower by installing a frameless glass wall and door. Inside the shower is a standard showerhead, as well as a hand shower for multiple uses.

The vanities and countertops were handcrafted by local Tennessee artisans, and the designer said each drawer and cabinet was planned out to maximize storage potential. With the removal of the wing walls, one of the vanities was allowed a longer footprint.

“To match their modern style and echo the waterfall design in the shower, we chose to do a waterfall edge on one of the vanities,” said Robinson.

Adding a Few Luxurious Bath Splurges

A Ditra-Heat system was installed to warm the tile floors, and a warming drawer keeps towels nice and toasty for after showering or bathing. The lighting and electrical can be controlled with a remote from the bedside – a room Robinson says can be truly programmed for the experience the homeowners want.

“There is even has a beverage center right when you walk in – a true spa!” added the designer.

Another splurge is the bronze-glazed tile accent in the shower, but the tile floors and walls are a reasonably priced porcelain made in Tennessee.

“We chose a Cremo Delicato in a polished finish for the walls to match the home’s luxurious nature and the same tile in a matte herringbone pattern for the floors,” said Robinson. “It was very cost effective and yet looks amazing!”

Clearing Project Hurdles

The major challenge in this primary bathroom was the subfloor, and the design team needed a substantial foundation to support the tile.

“With the way the home had settled over time, the substrate had weakened, cracking the tile,” explained Robinson. “To prevent any further issues, we chose an airtight waterproofing system by Schluter for the floor underlayment, the shower pan and the walls. Now with a proper substrate, my clients will not have any tiles popping and no water damage.”

One thing the designer does in all her projects – no matter the color of the tile – is use a power grout that has the sealant mixed in. She says this is a game-changer because it eliminates the need to scrub grout lines.

“When interviewing our client after the project, she said her favorite part of working with us was being able to see how the luxurious bath would look in 3D before we started construction,” said Robinson, who used Chief Architect. “It really helps to see our vision and how the materials will come together.”

The designer added that the biggest compliment from her clients is their referrals. She is currently working on a kitchen for one of this homeowner’s friends.