Residential Bath: $15,000-$30,000
This description is about the second floor bathroom which consumed the smaller dollar portion of the combined budget. Immediately down the hall from the top of the second floor stairs you will look into a bathroom with a tree top view through the windows and the back of a free standing tub with a random array of multi-colored mosaic tiles and think what is this doing here. As you get further into the room the surprise is even greater.
In its previous configuration this common area bathroom did not have a shower because the tub was oriented along an exterior wall underneath the window. In order to facilitate a tub/shower combination in the new plan the location of the vanity and the tub were switched. This provided the advantage for a more appropriate view both from the hall and in entering the space in seeing the vanity cabinet rather that the back of the tub.
In order to remain considerate to the budget parameters the space was gutted, but the location of the toilet remained as it was. Although switching the walls that the vanity and the tub were located on provided clear advantages, it also created a separate but distinct challenge. With a partition wall behind the new tub/shower location and the toilet remaining where it was a standard 60” tub would not fit. There was not any latitude from our client to consider a shower module only for this space, there needed to be a tub as well. The solution was to provide a 54” tub which would fit within the space plan yet it does not have the appearance of not being a standard sized tub.
The cost of a full glass door and glass panels was also a limiting factor in what we could accomplish, as the lion’s share of the projects budget was being invested on the first floor. Providing a shower curtain and rod was an economical approach for the tub/shower but a 7’ high wall at the back of the tub to mount the rod to would obscure the view and light from the windows and shrink the space. A J-shaped curtain rod would not be visually appropriate either. The solution came through creating a half wall at the back of the tub that conceals the toilet, attaching a glass panel to the side wall and to the top of the half wall and mounting the rod through the glass panel. This not only allows for day lighting and view, it secures the glass panel in place.
The vanity cabinet is custom built in cherry with a quartz top and backsplash with a white porcelain under mounted sink and chrome faucetry. Brushed chrome handles on the cabinetry match the metal accents on the mirror and vanity light fixture and the tub and toilet match the sink. The tub/shower faucetry and chrome accessories are from the same manufacturer for finish consistency and a coordinated appearance. Large lime stone colored ceramic tile, soft sage green and cream wall and ceiling colors with white trim provide lightness and a crisp feeling within the space that is comforting.
