Bathroom Mirror Reflects True Self
http://www2.allblues.org/aroundthehouse/articles/66/1/Bathroom-Mirror-Reflects-True-Self
By
Published on 05/2/2007
These quality materials were more than evident in the master bathroom, where Revisioneers used natural stone, travertine, thousands of fingernail-sized, handmade mosaic tiles and furniture-quality cabinetry custom-made in their shop. The glass chosen for the shower was a high quality crystal glass, picked in order to appear truly clear, rather than the green tone much glass can reflect.
To create a feeling of openness and volume within the existing space, Revisioneers took out the partitions, installed a free-standing tub, put a tray in the ceiling and did away with the full-sized floor-to-ceiling cabinetry. Other thoughtful touches were added, including installing motion-sensitive, under-cabinet lighting for less jarring nocturnal visits, adding a wall-mounted flat screen TV, fitting the shower with dual shower heads and creating a custom-built rolling cart which matched the vanity, that could hold towels or products while bathing and be tucked away when not in use.
Echoes of materials were spread throughout, generating visual patterns that added to the overall appeal of the room. The travertine on the shower wall and floor was also used as the countertop of the vanity, lending color harmony and acting as a striking contrast to the stained-black vertical grain fir cabinetry. Additionally, personal reflection was incorporated into the design, as the family's Greek heritage was honored with the alabaster tile used in the undulating crescent motif of the shower wall.
The children's bathroom and the powder room also enjoyed similarly lovely, if less extensive overhauls. With the kids still in elementary school, functionality and durability were instructive to the design, and the room was fitted with solid countertops, more gorgeous vertical grain fir cabinetry in a lighter stain and extensive azure blue tiling reminiscent of the sea. The powder room’s Revisioneers treatment included a reprise on the master bathroom's theme, with a high-contrast onyx vessel carved out of stone and high-lit to cast light directly into the glowing bowl.
With all three bathrooms successfully revamped, the family's high sense of style and Revisioneers' unique design made for a harmonious melding of striking visuals, soothing luxury and practical functionality.
The information for this article was provided courtesy of Jeff Bowlby of Revisioneers Incorporated. You can learn more about their work at www.revisioneers.com.
Style is subjective. One person’s minimalist vision of uncluttered, clean lines is another’s version of cold, unwelcoming austerity. Over-stuffed, comfy armchairs beckon to some camps while spindly-legged, antique settees make the grade for others. And while wall-to-wall white decorating smacks of modern glamour to some, still others chalk up the aesthetic to nothing more than insane-asylum chic. One Sammamish family sought out the help of Master Builder's Associate Revisioneers to remodel their bathrooms to better reflect their personal vision of modernity and style.
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The Challenge
Style is subjective. One person's minimalist vision of uncluttered, clean lines is another's version of cold, unwelcoming austerity. Over-stuffed, comfy armchairs beckon to some camps while spindly-legged, antique settees make the grade for others. And while wall-to-wall white decorating smacks of modern glamour to some, still others chalk up the aesthetic to nothing more than insane-asylum chic. For all our ranging tastes, however, the one thing that unites us is our generally unabashed outspokenness on the matter of style. We know what we like, and often more importantly, what we don't like.
Since many people view their homes as natural reflections of who they are and the image they would like to project, complex emotions can get wrapped up in the most seemingly insignificant elements of design. Some homeowners might simply view their homes as utilitarian shelters, but for many, an ugly countertop or garishly wallpapered room might be a source of great annoyance, embarrassment or even obsession. It is from this deep-seated set of opinions, whether on aesthetics or functionality, that one is often inspired to remodel. And it is because of this underlying passion that one should take the time to find a remodelor they can truly trust and connect with.
One style-minded Sammamish family did just that when selecting Revisioneers, a local design/build firm specializing in remodels on the Eastside. The young family had lived in the home for 12 years and loved their neighborhood, but had finally decided the traditional plateau development spec home didn't reflect their jazzy, art-forward style. The father worked as an advertising executive, paid to both scrutinize and dictate images and colors, and the beige-driven, early 90s look of his home was a constant source of visual frustration.
The bathrooms particularly annoyed the family, especially the master bathroom. The floors were carpeted, virtually everything was white, brass fixtures reigned supreme and the room felt tiny and cramped, with excessive partitions separating each functional element of the bathroom, a platform tub taking more than its fair share of floor space and the floor-to-ceiling cabinets jutting out intrusively.
In the fifteen years since the house had been built lifestyles had changed, and with them, perceptions and expectations regarding a home's innate function. Unused formal living rooms had given way to the great room concept, galley kitchens had been dismissed in favor of open, inviting culinary entertaining suites, and bathrooms had lost their utilitarian hygiene reputation, and were now expected to be spa-like retreats where one could while away the cares of an ever sped-up world. This family, like many others, had evolved in the way they lived. Unfortunately, their bathrooms hadn't evolved with them.
Since many people view their homes as natural reflections of who they are and the image they would like to project, complex emotions can get wrapped up in the most seemingly insignificant elements of design. Some homeowners might simply view their homes as utilitarian shelters, but for many, an ugly countertop or garishly wallpapered room might be a source of great annoyance, embarrassment or even obsession. It is from this deep-seated set of opinions, whether on aesthetics or functionality, that one is often inspired to remodel. And it is because of this underlying passion that one should take the time to find a remodelor they can truly trust and connect with.One style-minded Sammamish family did just that when selecting Revisioneers, a local design/build firm specializing in remodels on the Eastside. The young family had lived in the home for 12 years and loved their neighborhood, but had finally decided the traditional plateau development spec home didn't reflect their jazzy, art-forward style. The father worked as an advertising executive, paid to both scrutinize and dictate images and colors, and the beige-driven, early 90s look of his home was a constant source of visual frustration.
The bathrooms particularly annoyed the family, especially the master bathroom. The floors were carpeted, virtually everything was white, brass fixtures reigned supreme and the room felt tiny and cramped, with excessive partitions separating each functional element of the bathroom, a platform tub taking more than its fair share of floor space and the floor-to-ceiling cabinets jutting out intrusively.
In the fifteen years since the house had been built lifestyles had changed, and with them, perceptions and expectations regarding a home's innate function. Unused formal living rooms had given way to the great room concept, galley kitchens had been dismissed in favor of open, inviting culinary entertaining suites, and bathrooms had lost their utilitarian hygiene reputation, and were now expected to be spa-like retreats where one could while away the cares of an ever sped-up world. This family, like many others, had evolved in the way they lived. Unfortunately, their bathrooms hadn't evolved with them.Advice from the Master Builders Association
The family liked high-contrast, contemporary design, but the home was traditional. They wanted a new look but didn't want it to look ridiculously out of place or leave the rest of the home feeling detached. The question of how to marry these seemingly disparate needs loomed large.
With this on their minds, and given their strong sense of aesthetics, the family made a key decision in their remodel. Rather than sinking the lion's share of their budget into a major construction overhaul, they decided to stick within the existing footprint of the house and the existing routing of the plumbing, in order to invest the bulk of their funds into exceptional quality materials.
These quality materials were more than evident in the master bathroom, where Revisioneers used natural stone, travertine, thousands of fingernail-sized, handmade mosaic tiles and furniture-quality cabinetry custom-made in their shop. The glass chosen for the shower was a high quality crystal glass, picked in order to appear truly clear, rather than the green tone much glass can reflect.To create a feeling of openness and volume within the existing space, Revisioneers took out the partitions, installed a free-standing tub, put a tray in the ceiling and did away with the full-sized floor-to-ceiling cabinetry. Other thoughtful touches were added, including installing motion-sensitive, under-cabinet lighting for less jarring nocturnal visits, adding a wall-mounted flat screen TV, fitting the shower with dual shower heads and creating a custom-built rolling cart which matched the vanity, that could hold towels or products while bathing and be tucked away when not in use.
Echoes of materials were spread throughout, generating visual patterns that added to the overall appeal of the room. The travertine on the shower wall and floor was also used as the countertop of the vanity, lending color harmony and acting as a striking contrast to the stained-black vertical grain fir cabinetry. Additionally, personal reflection was incorporated into the design, as the family's Greek heritage was honored with the alabaster tile used in the undulating crescent motif of the shower wall.
The children's bathroom and the powder room also enjoyed similarly lovely, if less extensive overhauls. With the kids still in elementary school, functionality and durability were instructive to the design, and the room was fitted with solid countertops, more gorgeous vertical grain fir cabinetry in a lighter stain and extensive azure blue tiling reminiscent of the sea. The powder room’s Revisioneers treatment included a reprise on the master bathroom's theme, with a high-contrast onyx vessel carved out of stone and high-lit to cast light directly into the glowing bowl. With all three bathrooms successfully revamped, the family's high sense of style and Revisioneers' unique design made for a harmonious melding of striking visuals, soothing luxury and practical functionality.
The information for this article was provided courtesy of Jeff Bowlby of Revisioneers Incorporated. You can learn more about their work at www.revisioneers.com.