California Cool in the Castro-Bathroom

This Castro neighborhood remodel presented the challenge of transfroming two rather ordinary, window-less bathrooms into modern spa-like rooms. We drew upon water for our inspiration to create a cool and refreshing feeling. The master bathroom tone is established by Carrera marble floors and walls of handmade glass mosaic tiles the color of water flecked with subtle streaks of dark red. A wall-hung wood vanity inspired by a piece of modernist furniture appears to float above the floor. Decorative light fixtures placed directly on the wall-to-wall mirrors bring together the tones of the wood cabinet, polished chrome plumbing fixtures and white porcelain sink. At the powder room, a backlit shoji screen in a narrow slot opposite the vanity was introduced as a lighting element, creating the impression of natural light from a window. Photos by Mark Brand.