Bathrooms are the place to face—and retreat from—the day.
They can be a source of rejuvenation and revival in the morning and a place to unwind and escape in the evening. With a master bathroom, a couple can express individual and collective tastes—creating style while maintaining practicality. From clean, modern lines to lavish, antique décor, bathrooms can encompass every style imaginable.
Well Suited
Bathroom designer:
Heather Trahan of Stafford Tile & Stone
Contractor: Paul Baudean
Lighting design: Brooks Graham
Jennifer and Michael Volner’s crisp modern bathroom is an ideal example of compromise. Not only does the bathroom showcase contemporary style—as compared with the rest of their more traditional Lower Garden District home—the couple happily compromised during the renovation of their home. “My husband and I worked hand in hand,” says Jennifer. “Paul Baudean, our contractor, said we worked really well together.”
The centerpiece of the bathroom is the vanity wall, which could turn an ordinary morning routine into an ethereal ritual. The luminous glass tiles instantly attract the eye, but what gives the wall its impact is the contrast with the surrounding tones and textures. The wood floor was discovered after they started pulling up the Carrera marble floor that was originally there. Baudean worked hard to repair the damaged parts of the wood, which now has an effortlessly smooth look and feel. Custom made by Baudean, the mirrors have frames that complement the floor’s smooth java tones. The mirrors are illuminated by clickstrip lights. Good friend and neighbor, architect Brooks Graham, designed the room’s lighting.
To contrast with sumptuous coffee hues, countertops are fresh white Carrera marble and cabinets and functional shelves, which face the vanities, are bright white, reflecting the sunlight that pours through the windows on a spring day. The walls, painted in Benjamin Moore’s “Iceberg,” surround an inviting freestanding tub, which rests beside a reclaimed cypress bench accented with soothing candles.
A subtle but shimmering chandelier seems to float above the bathtub.
The clean lines, fresh accents and rich textures make this bathroom as invigorating as a spa without the fuss. “Something about the contrast of the espresso and chocolate tones with the pure whites reminds me of a man’s suit,” says Jennifer with a content smile.
• Mirrors custom made by Paul Baudean. Backlit by clickstrips from Ardee Lighting.
• Walls are painted in Benjamin Moore’s “Iceberg,” the ceilings in “Palest Pistachio,” and trim in “Super White.”
• Glass shower surround from Universal Glass.
• Hansgrohe “Axor Citterio” fixtures in polished chrome from Vanity H20.
• Recessed lighting from Lighting Inc.
• Artistic Tile’s “Opera Glass— Stilato” in “Mezzanine Mink” from Stafford Tile & Stone. Installed by Richard Davies Tile.
• Vanity light bulb lights by Rejuvenation
• Kohler “Purist Wading Pool” sinks in white Carrera marble from LCR Kitchen and Bath Design.
• Wood vanities—made by Paul Baudean—in a dark brown/espresso stain with marine-grade polyurethane to mimic bathtub slip.
• Wood floors are original, though some were replaced by wood from The Bank. Refinished by A & B Floors.
• “Cubby holes” were made by Paul Baudean and painted in Benjamin Moore’s “Super White.”
• White Carrera marble countertops from Capital Stone. Installed by Richard Davies Tile.
• Cabinets are original to house. Paul Baudean raised them and added feet. Painted in Benjamin Moore’s “Super White.”
• Chandelier from UDwell.
• Painting is a Volner original.
• Pier freestanding bathtub by Waterworks.
• White beveled brick tiles from Stafford Tile & Stone. Installed by Richard Davies Tile.
• Hansgrohe “Axor Citterio” fixtures in polished chrome from Vanity H20.
• Artistic Tile “Opera Glass” in “Mezzanine Mink Matte” from Stafford Tile & Stone. Installed by Richard Davies Tile.
Infused with Vues
Architects:
William Platt and Geoffrey Platt
Designer:
Ellen Biddle Shipman with Mrs. Edith Rosenwald Stern
• The ceiling and walls are covered with Chinese brown rag paper with hand-blocked silver circular patterns.
• Carpet is a Peel & Co. copy of an original Aubusson rug (now kept in storage so as not to destroy it).
• All the closets and drawers were specially made to hold different articles of clothing.
• Mirrors in room are aged due to silver lifting off back of glass.
• Doorknobs are blown crystal glass with millefiori canes of varying colors from the mid-19th century.
• Furniture is late 19th, early 20th century mahogany.
• Doors have handpainted scenes on Chinese brown rag paper of morning glory, bamboo and birds. It is thought that this, as well as the ceiling and walls, are late 19th, early 20th century “Gracie” Chinese scenic paper.
• The walls are covered with frosted, fluted glass tiles.
• The sky blue sink was made by Standard Sanitary Mfg. Co., now called American Standard.
• The table is marquetry inlaid with flowers and butterflies and was purchased at Ginsburg & Levy Antiques.
• The towel rack and stool are made of cast acrylic from the 1960s.
• The floor is “Rosato” marble from Verona, Italy.
• The black sink and toilet was made by Standard Sanitary Mfg. Co., now called American Standard.
• The walls are black faux bois marble with cream and green streaks.
• Acrylic towel rack is from the 1960s.
• Chrome ashtray table, circa 1930-1940
• Green and black hooked rugs, circa 1940-1950
• The floor is “Radio Black” from the Vermont Marble Co. in Proctor, Vt. The marble—which is actually limestone—is now called “Champlain Black.”
Artisan Adoration
Architect: Ron Domin
Bathroom Designer: Heather Trahan from Stafford Tile & Stone
Designers: Elan Interiors: Kelly Nagy and Lollie Rozas
Contractor: Stephen Fleishmann of Titan Construction
The master bathroom (left) of Dr. Scott and Amber Pethke is truly an escape from the daily grind. It displays a combination of luxury and simplicity in soothing neutral hues.
The warm color of the crosscut travertine marble, honed finish countertops complements the ivory-hued Cardell cabinets, as well as the polished Crema Marfil marble floors, allowing the space to maintain its soothing ambiance. The bathtub is the room’s centerpiece—secluded behind the bath by a free-standing wall is the Pethkes’ shower. Architect Ron Domin designed the unique wall and Eric Deschotel from Stafford Tile & Stone spent hours setting the tile. Contractor Stephen Fleishmann of Titan Construction stresses the structural challenges of creating the wall. “Free-standing walls have no support, so when you’re putting the tile in, you have to be extremely careful about movement,” he says. From the shower, the couple can enjoy a view of their private garden through the windows, which caress the room with light. A custom ventilation system allows steam to escape the bath and shower in soothing silence. “I wanted an open shower and I saw a great picture in a magazine that inspired this. It has a very open and relaxing spa-feel,” says Amber.
In contrast, the pool house bathroom (right) has a more contemporary and casual feel—highlighted by bright colors. Walker Zanger tiles from Stafford Tile & Stone were used in the brightly colored shower floor of aqua and pearl mosaic marbles. The shower wall mosaic is custom artisan glass blended in a random modular pattern that encompasses the playful feel of the bathroom. The same tiles accent the mirror. “I knew I wanted it fun and funky because the kids [Natalie, 10, Olivia, 8, and Addison, 5] would be using it,” says Amber. “I saw the marble and mosaics at Stafford Tile & Stone and knew that’s what I wanted. It was like eye-candy just to be in the store!” Stafford Tile & Stone’s Heather Trahan helped Amber transform her idea into a bright, cheerful space.
Amber and Scott are grateful for their contractor, Stephen Fleishmann. “We couldn’t have done it without him,” says Amber.
The Pethke bathrooms are the ideal of artisan originality and leisurely bliss—with a personal touch. From a spa-like escape to a kaleidoscope of bold colors, the bathrooms show how one home can encompass relaxation and play in timeless style.
• The shower is behind the wall.
• Sonoma Tilemakers “Sonoma Reserve” glazed ceramic tiles from Stafford Tile & Stone.
• Crosscut travertine marble, honed finish countertops from and installed by Intrepid Stone Specialties.
• Hansgrohe “Swing” fixtures in chrome from LCR Kitchen & Bath Design.
• Bathtub deck is crosscut travertine marble, honed finish.
• Crema Marfil polished marble floors from Stafford Tile & Stone.
• Tiles from Stafford Tile & Stone
• Kohler “Memoirs” chrome fixtures from LCR Kitchen & Bath Design.
• Kohler “Memoirs” chrome fixtures from LCR Kitchen & Bath Design.
• Shower floor in mini-mosaic tiles by Walker Zanger from Stafford Tile & Stone.