Finding a home is not easy in a seller’s market, but when my clients discovered one—even though it needed a bit of work—in a beautiful area of the Santa Cruz Mountains, they decided to jump in. Surrounded by old-growth redwood trees and a sense of old-time history, the house’s location informed the design brief for their desired remodel work. Yet I needed to balance this with my client’s preference for clean-lined, modern style. Suffering from a previous remodel, the galley-like bathroom in the master suite was long and dank. My clients were willing to completely redesign the layout of the suite, so the bathroom became the walk-in closet. We borrowed space from the bedroom to create a new, larger master bathroom which now includes a separate tub and shower. The look of the room nods to nature with organic elements like a pebbled shower floor and vertical accent tiles of honed green slate. A custom vanity of blue weathered wood and a ceiling that recalls the look of pressed tin evoke a time long ago when people settled this mountain region. At the same time, the hardware in the room looks to the future with sleek, modular shapes in a chic matte black finish. Harmonious, serene, with personality: just what my clients wanted. Photo: Bernardo Grijalva

A look into the beautiful tub area.

Full Manhattan apartment remodel in Upper West Side, NYC. Small bathroom with pale green glass tile accent wall, corner glass shower, and warm wood floating vanity.

These tiles are pale green in color. Not quite as a true green as an unripe olive, but more of a muted olive green. The tiles have a slightly raised center; there is a slanted, ½ inch border creating the raised center in these tiles. The raised center is a replica of the lines in the tile, on a slightly smaller scale. There is a sleekness when touched and a sheen, due to the polished finish. These tiles are ceramic.

Photo Credits: Brian Vanden Brink Interior Design: Shor Home

The upstairs bathroom got a full makeover with a new tub accentuated by a skinny sage green tile, a marble niche in various shades of green and frameless French shower doors. The "X" pattern in the floor tile pairs nicely with the herringbone pattern of the tub surround.

An Ensuite Bathroom showcases a beautiful green vanitry color, topped with Fantasy Brown Marble and complimented by Chrome plumbing fixtures, framed mirrors, cabinet hardware and lighting.

This contemporary bath design in Springfield is a relaxing retreat with a large shower, freestanding tub, and soothing color scheme. The custom alcove shower enclosure includes a Delta showerhead, recessed storage niche with glass shelves, and built-in shower bench. Stunning green glass wall tile from Lia turns this shower into an eye catching focal point. The American Standard freestanding bathtub pairs beautifully with an American Standard floor mounted tub filler faucet. The bathroom vanity is a Medallion Cabinetry white shaker style wall-mounted cabinet, which adds to the spa style atmosphere of this bathroom remodel. The vanity includes two Miseno rectangular undermount sinks with Miseno single lever faucets. The cabinetry is accented by Richelieu polished chrome hardware, as well as two round mirrors and vanity lights. The spacious design includes recessed shelves, perfect for storing spare linens or display items. This bathroom design is sure to be the ideal place to relax.

About five years ago, these homeowners saw the potential in a brick-and-oak-heavy, wallpaper-bedecked, 1990s-in-all-the-wrong-ways home tucked in a wooded patch among fields somewhere between Indianapolis and Bloomington. Their first project with SYH was a kitchen remodel, a total overhaul completed by JL Benton Contracting, that added color and function for this family of three (not counting the cats). A couple years later, they were knocking on our door again to strip the ensuite bedroom of its ruffled valences and red carpet—a bold choice that ran right into the bathroom (!)—and make it a serene retreat. Color and function proved the goals yet again, and JL Benton was back to make the design reality. The clients thoughtfully chose to maximize their budget in order to get a whole lot of bells and whistles—details that undeniably change their daily experience of the space. The fantastic zero-entry shower is composed of handmade tile from Heath Ceramics of California. A window where the was none, a handsome teak bench, thoughtful niches, and Kohler fixtures in vibrant brushed nickel finish complete the shower. Custom mirrors and cabinetry by Stoll’s Woodworking, in both the bathroom and closet, elevate the whole design. What you don't see: heated floors, which everybody needs in Indiana. Contractor: JL Benton Contracting Cabinetry: Stoll's Woodworking Photographer: Michiko Owaki

Flavin Architects was chosen for the renovation due to their expertise with Mid-Century-Modern and specifically Henry Hoover renovations. Respect for the integrity of the original home while accommodating a modern family’s needs is key. Practical updates like roof insulation, new roofing, and radiant floor heat were combined with sleek finishes and modern conveniences. Photo by: Nat Rea Photography

Liadesign

Bright, light filled, master bath

Elizabeth Taich Design is a Chicago-based full-service interior architecture and design firm that specializes in sophisticated yet livable environments.