Custom straight-grain cedar sauna, custom straight oak cabinets with skirt back-lighting. 3-D tile vanity backsplash with wall mounted fixtures and LED mirrors. Light-projected shower plumbing box with custom glass. Pebble-inlaid and heated wood-tile flooring. Photo by Marcie Heitzmann

This tired 1990's home was not working for this young family. They wanted an elegant, classic look packed full of function!

This primary suite bathroom is a tranquil retreat, you feel it from the moment you step inside! Though the color scheme is soft and muted, the dark vanity and luxe gold fixtures add the perfect touch of drama. Wood look wall tile mimics the lines of the ceiling paneling, bridging the rustic and contemporary elements of the space. The large free-standing tub is an inviting place to unwind and enjoy a spectacular view of the surrounding trees. To accommodate plumbing for the wall-mounted tub filler, we bumped out the wall under the window, which also created a nice ledge for items like plants or candles. We installed a mosaic hexagon floor tile in the bathroom, continuing it through the spacious walk-in shower. A small format tile like this is slip resistant and creates a modern, elevated look while maintaining a classic appeal. The homeowners selected a luxurious rain shower, and a handheld shower head which provides a more versatile and convenient option for showering. Reconfiguring the vanity’s L-shaped layout opened the space visually, but still allowed ample room for double sinks. To supplement the under counter storage, we added recessed medicine cabinets above the sinks. Concealed behind their beveled, matte black mirrors, they are a refined update to the bulkier medicine cabinets of the past.

Floor to ceiling marble tile brings the eye all the way up from the countertop to the vaulted ceiling with lots of windows. Converted a tub surround to free-standing. A floating vanity with two undermount sinks and sleek contemporary faucets

Small space where bathroom gets transformed into functional bathroom yet simple and elegant.

Jacuzzis were popular when this two-story 4-bedroom home was built in 1983. The owner was an architect who helped design this handicapped-accessible home with beautiful backyard views. But it was time for a master bath update. There were already beautiful skylights and big windows, but the shower was cramped and the Jacuzzi with its raised floor just wasn’t working. The project began with the removal of the Jacuzzi, the raised floor, and all the associated plumbing. Next, the old shower, vanity, and everything else was stripped right down to the studs. The before-during-after photos show how a deep built-in cabinet was created by “borrowing” some space from the master bedroom. A wide glass pocket door is installed in the adjacent wall. Without the Jacuzzi this space has become a large, bright, warm place for long baths. Tall ceilings and skylights make this room big and bright. The floor features 12” x 24” stone tile and in-floor heating, with complimentary 2” X 2” tiles for the shower. The white free-standing tub looks great with polished chrome floor-mounted tub filler and hand shower. With several live plants, this room is often used as a comfortable space for relaxing soaks on cold winter days. (Photos taken on Dec. 22) On the other side of the room is a large walk-in shower. Additional shower space was gained by removing a built-in cabinet and relocating the plumbing. Glass doors and panels enclose the new shower, and white subway wall tile is the perfect choice. But the bath’s centerpiece could arguably be the beautifully crafted vanity. Solid walnut doors and drawers are constructed so that the grain matches and flows, like a work of art or piece of furniture. The vanity is finished with a white quartz countertop and two under-mounted sinks with polished chrome fixtures. Two big mirrors with three tall warm-colored lights make this both a functional and beautiful room. The result is amazing. A great combination of good ideas and thoughtful construction.

A large shower enclosure is surrounded by his and hers vanities.

This Master Bathroom remodel removed some framing and drywall above and at the sides of the shower opening to enlarge the shower entry and provide a breathtaking view to the exotic polished porcelain marble tile in a 24 x 48 size used inside. The sliced stone used as vertical accent was hand placed by the tile installer to eliminate the tile outlines sometimes seen in lesser quality installations. The agate design glass tiles used as the backsplash and mirror surround delight the eye. The warm brown griege cabinetry have custom designed drawer interiors to work around the plumbing underneath. Floating vanities add visual space to the room. The dark brown in the herringbone shower floor is repeated in the master bedroom wood flooring coloring so that the entire master suite flows.

Lake Pulaski Residence

“Milne’s meticulous eye for detail elevated this master suite to a finely-tuned alchemy of balanced design. It shows that you can use dark and dramatic pieces from our carbon fibre collection and still achieve the restful bathroom sanctuary that is at the top of clients’ wish lists.” Miles Hartwell, Co-founder, Splinter Works Ltd When collaborations work they are greater than the sum of their parts, and this was certainly the case in this project. I was able to respond to Splinter Works’ designs by weaving in natural materials, that perhaps weren’t the obvious choice, but they ground the high-tech materials and soften the look. It was important to achieve a dialog between the bedroom and bathroom areas, so the graphic black curved lines of the bathroom fittings were countered by soft pink calamine and brushed gold accents. We introduced subtle repetitions of form through the circular black mirrors, and the black tub filler. For the first time Splinter Works created a special finish for the Hammock bath and basins, a lacquered matte black surface. The suffused light that reflects off the unpolished surface lends to the serene air of warmth and tranquility. Walking through to the master bedroom, bespoke Splinter Works doors slide open with bespoke handles that were etched to echo the shapes in the striking marbleised wallpaper above the bed. In the bedroom, specially commissioned furniture makes the best use of space with recessed cabinets around the bed and a wardrobe that banks the wall to provide as much storage as possible. For the woodwork, a light oak was chosen with a wash of pink calamine, with bespoke sculptural handles hand-made in brass. The myriad considered details culminate in a delicate and restful space. PHOTOGRAPHY BY CARMEL KING

The Atkinson is a spacious ranch plan with three or more bedrooms. The main living areas, including formal dining, share an open layout with 10'ceilings. The kitchen has a generous island with counter dining, a spacious pantry, and breakfast area with multiple windows. The family rooms is shown here with direct vent fireplace with stone hearth and surround and built-in bookcases. Enjoy premium outdoor living space with a large covered patio with optional direct vent fireplace. The primary bedroom is located off a semi-private hall and has a trey ceiling and triple window. The luxury primary bath with separate vanities is shown here with standalone tub and tiled shower. Bedrooms two and three share a hall bath, and there is a spacious utility room with folding counter. Exterior details include a covered front porch, dormers, separate garage doors, and hip roof.

This light filled bathroom uses the same marble and mosaic glass tiles to continue the kitchen theme, organized and collected.

Ambient Elements creates conscious designs for innovative spaces by combining superior craftsmanship, advanced engineering and unique concepts while providing the ultimate wellness experience. We design and build saunas, infrared saunas, steam rooms, hammams, cryo chambers, salt rooms, snow rooms and many other hyperthermic conditioning modalities.

Dan Arnold Photography

Bathroom with double vanity.