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The fabulous floor
“The focal point is visually clear – the fabulous floor – and everything else around it is extremely elegant and rather quiet with a nod to some of the tones in the floor,” Muschweck says.
“I wanted to do a statement floor, therefore I wanted to keep everything around it simple, so we ended up with creamy tile in the shower, accented in black,” confirms Maria Fairbanks, kitchen and bathroom designer with Splash.
The former shower had a large hollow bulkhead, which was removed and replaced with a barrel vault, which Muschweck says was a unique piece of architecture that was not easy to achieve. “A lot of carpentry work goes into it prior to laying one piece of tile,” she adds.
The elegant floors are reflected in the antique mirrored tile embedded in the barrel-vaulted ceiling, which serves to open up the space and provides a wow factor.
The freestanding tub, which can be operated via remote control, occupies pride of place in the bathroom. Sunlight through the many windows illuminates the curved walk-in shower, Italian ceramic tile, copper bowl sinks, marble flooring and rustic chandelier.
The curbless walk-in shower is a popular option today, especially in Florida. The bathroom drains, which feature tile inserts, were upgrades as well, as were the wall-mounted faucets. The beautiful turquoise barn lights add a pop of color and contribute to the home’s coastal feel.
The upstairs of the house has four bedrooms and three bathrooms, with more rooms on the third floor as well. When the time comes for family gatherings and holidays, the couple now has plenty of room to host their adult children and their growing families. “We absolutely love this house,” she concludes, and he jokes, “We’ve downsized to a larger house.”
Washing the day away
The shower itself was designed with two in mind. Dual entrances flank either side of it, each leading to a specific set of showerheads that the owners can program to reflect their own preferences, choosing everything from temperature to which combinations of sprays they would like (showerhead, rainhead, or body sprays). “My husband and I can have our own settings and can turn it on by a remote control before we get in,” she says.
Worried about cold feet against the Calacatta tile, they went ahead with a heated floor, both in the shower and out, that can be easily manipulated from a control mounted on the wall. Keeping a further eye to their comfort, they decided to add a towel rack just inside of the shower openings, far enough away from the spray to remain dry.
Let the light shine in
It’s a daring move—letting so many windows pepper the walls of your bathroom. Where most people would use textured glass or thick window treatments to obscure any view that nosy neighbors might have, this couple balked tradition and left their windows completely unadorned. It helps that their property is fairly private, extensive enough to allow for this family to spend time paintballing and four-wheeling in their own back yard. The shoulder-height windows let in the abundance of natural light that the wife craved. “I didn’t want the shower to be dark,” she says. “We have four windows in the shower. It’s great, we really don’t even have to turn lights on, except at night.”
The soaking tub was set away from an angled wall to serve as the focal point of the elegant master bathroom. Like in its downstairs counterpart, the walk-in shower has no door so it feels completely connected to the rest of the room. While Sheila wanted hardwood flooring, porcelain look-a-like tile was chosen to hold-up in the beach air.
When it came to designing Mike and Sheila’s new master bathroom, Van Selow remembers the initial inspiration being a picture of an egg-shaped soaking tub. “Sheila knew she wanted a soaking tub, and it works perfectly in the space because there are no other curves in the room – except in the chandelier,” she explains.
Handcrafted beauties
Despite their differences in appearance and style—all five bathrooms have one major element in common—Rookwood Pottery tile. “I grew up with Rookwood tile in my childhood home and I’ve always loved its handcrafted look,” says the wife. “I knew from the very beginning that we were going to include the handmade tile in our home.”
The master bathroom was the first bathroom they tackled. It also opened their eyes to what they were going to find in the rest of the house. “I figured we would have a few inches of concrete and lath in the walls.” Buecker says. “Instead the old floor tile was installed in nearly two inches of concrete, with lath underneath that, and then four more inches of concrete that held all of the old plumbing.”
Troy Denlinger of TJ Construction & Tile, worked with Buecker throughout the entire construction process, from demo to tile installation. “We hauled over seven tons of concrete and old tile from the house,” Denlinger says. “The demo was the toughest part. Once that was finished, we leveled all the floors and walls to prep for the new tile.”
The highlight of the guest bathroom is the Whitman Rook tiles seen on the pedestal sink wall and in the shower. These tiles are from historic molds shown in Rookwood’s 1912 catalog. Paired with 6×6-inch field tile and Bellamy molding in a beautiful green color, the bathroom is a true homage to days gone by. “Some of these tiles were part of the Heritage collection featured in our architectural catalogs from the 1920’s,” says James Malone, sales associate with Rookwood Pottery Company. “The homeowners wanted to stay true to the age of the house. These tiles helped to achieve that desire.”
The honeycomb-inspired design of the black hexagon flooring further completes the vintage look. “My husband wanted to add the black hexagon tile. He was even able to help lay the tile in this bathroom,” says the wife. “At first I was worried that the black tile would stand out too much, but he really made a great design decision.”
A relaxing retreat
The expansive master suite also features a beautiful mixture of furniture and an eye-catching rug. “It makes me smile when I enter my bedroom,” says Ruth. A shared closet/dressing room leads to a functional bath, also adorned with two bright, swirly light fixtures. The floating tub with a half-wall shower behind gives a modern ambiance.
Complete with a variety of materials including impressive tile, textured wallpaper and elegant pops of color, guests are sure to feel pampered in the penthouse.
In 25 years as an interior designer, Debbie Rosenthal has never done a house like this one. In fact, never repeating herself is her trademark, as is creating spaces that are timeless and difficult to categorize.
“I sort of pride myself on not having a specific look,” says Rosenthal. “I like the change.”
Part of this philosophy is market-driven. Cleveland is not a big enough market for a designer to be too myopic or specific. There needs to be flexibility for long-term success. The other factor that leads to this modus operandi is Rosenthal’s own need to be creative. She likes to stay on her toes and interpret each individual client’s wishes and needs in a new way.
With a whirlpool tub in place, and his and her sinks, the master bath gives off a spa feel. The marble floor climbs the walls of the sizable walk-in shower, and the rain showerhead was set high to accommodate the owner who stands at 6’4″.
Watching the movements of the city below is a favorite pastime for the couple. “I don’t mind when the Fort Pitt Bridge is bumper to bumper, as long as I’m not in it,” laughs the owner.
Becoming a city girl
Patty lived nearly 30 years of her life as a small town girl before moving into her penthouse. She decided to move to Dayton from Greenville, Ohio, to be closer to her aging father. Her first instinct was to find a place out in the suburbs, but she quickly fell in love with the idea of living downtown.
She loves the amenities of a larger town like Dayton and, despite what some may think, she feels extremely safe. She envisioned the penthouse not only as a home, but as an extension of her job as a non-profit consultant. She’s already hosted several parties for her clients offering the beautiful space as a free location for fundraisers.
Dion McMullen, owner of Londonbury Homes, was the builder on the most recent remodel. He says while it was unusual to remodel such a fairly new unit, owners often want to put their own personality into their living spaces. “The open-space design and the size of the kitchen/great room is not something you see in these downtown buildings too often,” McMullen says.
To accomplish her design goals, Amy eliminated a bedroom, bathroom and hallway and expanded a galley kitchen to create an elongated, open-concept living space that incorporated the dining room, kitchen and great room.
An outdoor lover, Amy wanted to include an earthy, natural look into her surroundings. “I love things that are reclaimed, that have a restored look,” she says.
Temporary quarters
Construction of the second floor and master suite sent Mike and Cathy to the basement for several months. “We slept on the first floor in the piano room, and we took showers and got dressed in the basement.” A temporary shower was built in the basement for the couple to use during the remodeling. Mike remembers of those months, “It was an interesting time.”
A zero-clearance walk-in shower with frameless glass showcases the tile and creates an open feel.
When Don and Danielle McCloskey built their house in late 1999, it was their dream home. “It was our first go at building a house, and while it was our dream house – there were some things we didn’t get to do because we were trying to stay under budget,” Don says. “Over the years, we have completed three major projects – the most recent being our master bathroom.” In 2009 the McCloskeys finished their lower level, and in 2015 they built a carriage house—but this year the couple decided to do something solely for themselves—create a luxurious, spa-like retreat in their master suite.
Thinking long term
Because she also wanted her home to be a place where she could grow old and spend her own retirement years when the times comes, the master bedroom and adjacent bathroom include universal design features.
Watson explains that the oversized shower enclosure was constructed with a zero-threshold entry to allow for wheelchair access, and heavy-duty studs are included in the framing to support grab bars that can be easily installed. Similarly, the walls surrounding the commode area can one day accommodate grab bars.
Robert Abbey Bling Pendants
Talk about having a chameleon-like quality. While considered to be a contemporary fixture, the Robert Abbey Bling light can adapt to any décor. The flush mount version adorns this sleek master bathroom retreat in Cleveland, Ohio, while its chandelier counterpart hangs in the vintage-inspired Columbus, Ohio kitchen; drawing eyes up to the glistening glass drops comprising the unique fixture.
Cleveland bathroom: Designers: Lonny Levenson, Kitchen & Bath, Etc., Tara Wenger; Contractor: Kitchen & Bath, Etc.; Photo by: Thom Sivo
Columbus kitchen: Designers: Dave Fox Design-Build Remodelers, Doug Myers Interiors; Countertops: Dave Fox Design-Build Remodelers; Photo by: Daniel Feldkamp
To maintain the industrial/contemporary design theme in furnishings, Mark invited Debbie Ricciardi of More Decorating Solutions in Tampa to join their team.
More than a bathroom
The overall goal of the project was to create a master suite which mimicked a mountain modern style home, where spaces flow together and the floor-to-ceiling windows blend the lines between the living space and nature. The room has an ever-changing scene because Torriero designed the house based upon the position of the sun to the master suite. A typical morning involves the owners enjoying a cup of coffee in the bathroom while gazing out the window at all of the natural beauty. “We spend a lot of time in here,” says Kaetlin. “It’s pretty much how we begin each day and how we end each night.”
With a mountain modern bathroom being different than the traditional Pittsburgh style, Fairbanks loved being able to think outside of the box. “I was able to really challenge my design ability,” she says. “They really knew what they wanted and were able to make selections quickly and with confidence.” The designer’s expert eye for color was fundamental in achieving the overall effect. “Maria understood the serene effect that we wanted to achieve,” says Kaetlin. “She was great at pulling colors together and helping us with the cabinetry.” The couple wanted natural materials and clean lines to define the room, so Splash designed the cabinetry with two words in mind, “spa-like and minimalistic.” White walls and cabinets give a clean and crisp feel.
The walk-in shower is Kaetlin’s favorite part of the bathroom. “It’s just a nice big open space, and a great place to talk or plan the day.” A picture that she found on Pinterest was the inspiration behind the pebbles lining the base of the bathtub. The couple thought it would add to the spa-like quality of the bathroom, so they decided to line the shower with them, too. “Mali was incredible; she took what we pulled from, be it Pinterest or other sources, and she created a vision for us,” tells Kaetlin. “She would be as involved as we wanted her to be, but was always steadfast in keeping with the overall design.”
With several showerheads, they can have more than one showering at a time. “We have three kids, and although we gave each kid their own bathroom, they all prefer to shower in ours each night,” laughs the owner. “This is the communal bathroom, and it’s a big party in here every evening.”
Tile on the shower walls is porcelain and framed with a metallic accent tile that Brendan picked out. Lighting in the shower looks like little canisters filled with bubbling water. There is plenty of built-in seating for anyone who has to wait his or her turn for one of the waterfall showerheads.
With a heated backrest and air bubble massage, the freestanding tub allows for an amazing soak with a spectacular view. Poured cement countertops were stained, and go with the natural vibe of the room. “Concrete evokes a natural feel yet can be formed to have a modern presence,” points out the architect. Kaetlin relishes her own secluded makeup station. “It’s very nice because my husband can be on one side of the room while I can enjoy that space as my own private area.” Wood floors flow in from the bedroom, allowing for continuity of the entire master suite.
The home building process was truly a collaborative effort, as the team came together to create a you-have-to-see-it-to-believe-it kind of home.
At the homeowner’s request, the builder incorporated sustainable elements, such as a geothermal system for all of the heating and cooling, radiant heat concrete floors, and water filtration around the house incorporated with bioswales and vegetation that collect rainwater from rain chains.
Ever the chameleon, tile also can take on the look of carpet squares, as in a lower-level shower at Eagle Ridge, or imitate bricks as it does in the Royal Birkdale.
Our favorite example? The two-toned shower walls in the master bath of the Royal Birkdale.
“The most popular styles in the Minis Collection are the Star Cross pattern in gray and white and the Scale pattern in aqua,” Stephens adds. “The most popular designs in the Echo Collection are Cluny in black and white, Fez in blue and white, and Badajoz in black and white.”
Location, location, location
It all depends on the room you’ve chosen to remodel, but if you want patterned tiles and you aren’t sure what room to put them in, Stephens recommends to start with the kitchen or a bathroom. Keep in mind that you are not just limited to flooring—kitchen backsplashes and shower focal points or wall niches are great places to add a touch of character or vintage style.
When it comes to the types of tile you are looking for, material makes a huge difference. According to Stephens, tiles made with low-grade pigment will not have the same richness and depth of color and those made without marble powder—an important component added to the cement—will not have the same natural luster.
The basics
Melanie Stephens, co-founder of Granada Tile, says cement tile has revitalized an art form that developed in France in the mid-1800s. Some even say the true origins of this tile date back to Barcelona.
Tailored spaces
To achieve this result, Florio turned to general contractor/lead designer Joe Ferrantegennaro, owner of The Bath & Kitchen Gallery in Tampa, who has 18 years of experience in the construction business. Ferrantegennaro knew how to customize the rooms to make them as peaceful for the current users as they would be easy to market to future buyers.
The overhaul of the bathrooms began last December and took about two months to complete. Florio was certain that Ferrantegennaro, with his expertise and reputation, was the visionary to tackle the redo.
“He came over and came up with the design, which was exactly what we wanted. We had an extra room between the two bedrooms; it was like a dead space, like a playroom. He made the two bedrooms and bathrooms bigger over there, so he did a lot of work. It came out excellent,” Florio says. “I didn’t want anything crazy, just something nice in case we would go and sell.”
Clean designs
The master bathroom features a pedestal tub with a floor-mounted valve. There is a combination of recessed can lighting and surface-mounted light fixtures, as well as 12×24-inch porcelain tile. The countertops are Pompei quartz and the cabinets are custom designs. In the shower is a rain can showerhead and, at the foot of the glass door opening, is a “beach entry” curb.
“A traditional shower would have a curb five inches high and, on this shower, we have cut out the floor to have a curb-less entry, which is sometimes called wheelchair,” Ferrantegennaro says. “There is definitely a big demand for larger showers like this, and the pedestal tub is the hottest-selling tub right now.”
Not only are the tubs, showers and surrounding areas super safe to access, but they are also just as simple to clean. According to Ferrantegennaro, the larger-formatted tile is best for upkeep because it has less grout. He uses a high-tech grout with a sealer mixed into the powder, and underneath the shower tile is actually a waterproof membrane that has a mildew killer built right into it.
“We always build in multiple layers of mold protection. The glass enclosure even has a sealer to fill in all the pores,” Ferrantegennaro says. “So it’s durable, easy to maintain and easy to resell, which is what they were looking for.”
Written by: Lyla Haggard/Photos by: Johan Roetz
When anyone envisions a home in Cheval, the beautiful neighborhood north of Tampa, the vision of huge mansions comes to mind. In fact, the area is home to many such residences. But the neighborhood is also dotted with charming condominiums and cozy homes that beckon families to put down roots. This is where retired Naval Officer Stephen Tibbitts and wife Darlene selected an inviting 1,500 square-foot condo to call home.
Clear glass doors enclose the white tiled shower, interrupted only by Kohler fixtures and an intriguing inset, “I knew I wanted a clean, white subway tile in there, but it’s such a big shower that we thought it would be kind of cool to do a focal point.”
The designers truly thought of everything when creating this space—including a heated floor. Now, the owners don’t have to worry about speed-walking across a cold tile floor; they can use a timer to maximize their comfort, raising the temperature during peak times and letting it fall during the day. “I love the heated floors. The designers mentioned it to us—that it really wasn’t that expensive—and we were able to extend it so we could go to the shower and in front of the vanity.”
The 2nd story addition includes a new master suite: master bedroom, walk-in-closet and master bath with custom tile shower and water closet. A hallway was created to gain access to an existing hall bath and remodeled bedroom.
A freestanding porcelain tub brings an old fashioned vibe to the room, but with new-age accouterments. Once the tub drains, a system automatically shoots air through the jets to thoroughly dry the inside. Both ladies love the unique shape of the tub, as well as the Kohler vanity sinks and Delta faucets. “We were lucky enough to have a big window in this room to work with, which usually isn’t the case in a bathroom,” says Shaffer. “Right away, we knew that this is where the bathtub would go.”
Keeping what works
Because the basic footprint of the space was not altered, economies from not moving plumbing fixtures were realized. In addition, the existing solid oak cabinetry received a fresh, new finish, further freeing up funds to splurge on a beautiful, sculptural soaking tub that is the focal point of the room.
“We emphasized the height of the room not only by complementing the existing skylight and by adding a chandelier, but also by designing a custom mirror treatment for the vanity,” Miller explains.
The chandelier is simple, elegant and timeless, lending an expansive, metropolitan vibe to the spa-like space. The stylish interpretation of oil-rubbed bronze is repeated in the light sconces incorporated into the custom-designed, two-tiered mirror of the vanity.
“Working with Monica was great—her decorating esthetic is so creative and I love how she came up with a design for our vanity that I’ve not seen anywhere else,” Gina notes. “I really like how the eye is drawn up in a new way, and the reflection of the chandelier creates so much more light,” she adds.
For twenty years, the Welches had owned various condos on Longboat Key and vacationing there was a way of life for them and their two sons. But the urge to have a home on the beach took hold and after looking at current offerings, the couple decided to build. They found a property they wanted, tore down the existing house and let the builder start fresh.
The initial version of the house, when the Riffes first purchased it, had a dated exterior and a total lack of curb appeal. So they installed new railings, windows, a third garage and an outdoor patio with a fireplace.
“The resulting exterior reflects a Monterey Colonial style, which is unique for the neighborhood,” Karen says. “As far as the interior style, I would describe it as a casual, eclectic mix.”
“The whole house is sealed from top to bottom so fresh air is always circulating. The interior does not need to be cooled or heated as much because it’s so airtight, and the air conditioning required is almost half of what it would be in other homes. We also have LED lights in all the fixtures and they have 20-year lifespans.”
“This is an example of totally green construction, with recyclable steel panels and spray-foam insulation. Everything inside the house is steel frame and only the roof is wooden frame,” Khamir says.
Khamir focused on the uber-modern aspects of the construction. His 2009-founded company specializes in building steel Structural Insulated Panel (SIP) homes that are hurricane, termite and mold-resistant. These custom structures are eco-friendly, provide the healthiest possible indoor air quality, and can save homeowners 30 to 50% in energy costs.
For modern and transitional designs, pair Glidden’s Byzantine Blue with pale beige or bright white.
After removing a standing tub, the master bath now boasts a large, luxury transom shower. The glass tiles on the walls pull in the blues and grays prominent throughout the rest of the condo. The toilet is behind a panel of Switch Glass, which switches back and forth between clear and opaque glass. The shower door features the same glass, allowing for a semblance of privacy. Custom cabinetry and a rectangular undermount trough sink, which Bateman refers to as “a work of art,” complete the design.
“It was very important for them in this design that he have full function in this space with everything he wanted without imposing on her space, and she wanted the same,” she says.
Natalia Dragunova of Notion, LLC was brought on-board to head the project. “When we first started, this was just a hotchpotch of craziness,” says Natalia. Only half of the space was original and the other half was an addition with different ceiling heights. My challenge was to take all of these rooms and make them look like one room with one ceiling.”
The owners wanted a light and airy look, but at the same time wanted to have every single inch of space used for storage. “My husband is a very tall guy, so we also had to keep that in mind,” says the owner. “He loves having a shower head where he doesn’t have to duck.”
So they compiled a dream team to design and construct a space perfect for entertaining and hosting family and friends.
The couple said yes. “I like soaking in the tub, watching TV, just relaxing,” says this busy mother of two.
For the master bath with shiny, large format tiles, natural sun coming from a high row of windows, and a gigantic walk-in shower, Simms suggested a sunken tub.
Martha desperately wanted a bathtub included in her new master bath, but building restrictions forced the tub to be placed in a nearby guest bath instead. “I do use the soaking tub a couple times a month,” Martha admits. “There’s a TV and a sound system in there, so it’s pretty luxurious.” However, the owners don’t find the master space lacking. A steam shower was incorporated into the design and offers the desired level of relaxation.
The master bath reflects the simple elegance of the rest of the home. Heated floors take the bite out of a cold morning, while a heated towel rack—a sturdy silver structure that immediately draws the eye—is within an arm’s length of the shower.
Behind the panel is the combination master bath and closet/dressing space. Like the kids’ rooms, the rooms are combined based upon the owners’ intuition.
“It doesn’t make a lot of sense to take a shower and then go back into your room to get dressed,” says Bob. “So we put all the closets in the bathrooms so you can go in the morning, get ready and come out ready to go.”
The master bath/closet/dressing room plays shadow against light, with yet another skylight beaming ethereally down on a Kohler Sok spa infinity tub. The closet features more than 80 linear feet of hanging space on the perimeter with a massive, 10-foot long center island dresser with a granite counter top and more than 50 drawers. In the bathroom, with its his and her vanities and toilet rooms, two person shower and limestone floors is awash with light, the closet is warm and rich with wood and atmosphere.