Paul Miller
Interior Designer 
When my clients asked me to redesign the hall bathroom at Nest 6031, it was not hard to understand why. The room had two notable traits going for it: the logical layout and a skylight that made the whole space glow. Otherwise, the shower was lightless and confining and the fixtures and finishes were dated and heavy. Opening up the shower with new glass walls and replacing the platform tub with a graceful, free-standing model transformed the room into a luxury spa experience.
Early on, my clients wanted to explore adding a window over the bathtub. In any home and in any room, a window is an unquestionable asset. On this beautiful property, it would have been gross negligence not to open up a vista to the surrounding beauty.
I specified the window size so that the sill would flow seamlessly into a ledge, offering a convenient perch for candles, drink and toiletries while soaking. This feature additionally provides space for additional insulation around the plumbing that brings the wall-mounted faucet to the tub on the exterior wall.
I carried this ledge feature into the shower, where the face materials change from reeded tile with a white oak finish to aquatic blue and golden brown large-format tiles. Matte black fittings throughout the project offer a crisp, modern contrast.
Rounding out the transformation was a vanity selection that continued the reeded texture of the wall tiles and faux grasscloth that adds a richer texture to the other walls. On the floor and into the curbless shower, my selection of penny tiles brings all of the colors in the space together.
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Bathroom MakeOver FAQs
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Today, many homeowners are replacing their platform tubs with freestanding ones that offer a more open look and which can be more efficient, given certain space restrictions. While platform tubs provide generous surfaces for decorating, they take up a lot of space and can be difficult to access for cleaning, maintenance and getting to windows.
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Any color can work well in a bathroom, if selected as part of a thoughtful vision for the space. However, most people prefer soothing and lighter tones, given that we interact with these spaces as we’re getting ready for bed and struggling to wake up in the morning. Soothing tones can include shades of blue and green or any number of neutral colors.
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If your bathroom window does not look out onto something as beautiful as this one does, consider using a cling film on the glass to distort the view. There are numerous textures that can provide a softer sightline, as well as additional privacy.
After Photos: Matthew Lofton
Before
A designer’s every choice is intentional, mindful of scale and proportion, rhythm and harmony, contrast and texture. Our ‘Why We Did That’ series is a bite-sized dive into one-off changes, big and small, that are part of our home transformations.
Interested in learning how we can bring change to your nest? Give our studio a call at 540-336-3385 or hit the button below to tell us more about your project.
