Aquatic finesse

A glass and marble slab shower area with a curvilinear aspect bathes this bathroom in natural light

A view of the shower, glass tiled walls, bathroom, ceiling, floor, flooring, interior design, plumbing fixture, room, tile, wall, brown, gray — A view of the shower, glass tiled walls, chrome facuetry.

A view of the bathroom, tiled floor, cream bathroom, bathtub, floor, flooring, hardwood, interior design, plumbing fixture, property, room, sink, tile, wood flooring, brown

A view of the entire bathroom, tiled floor, bathroom, cabinetry, ceiling, countertop, floor, flooring, home, interior design, property, real estate, room, tile, wall, window, brown

When access to natural light is apriority, but privacy is an issue in a bathroom, creative design will find a solution that doesn't compromise one or the other.

The proximity of this master bathroom to the adjacent property required the large windows to be placed out of the neighbors' line of sight.

To further illuminate the space, architect James McCalligan of James McCalligan Architects created a shower area that lets natural light flood in through a 80sq ft glass block exterior wall, but obscures the view of the interior. The light enters the main bathroom space through the cubicle's curving internal wall, which is constructed from the same glass blocks as the exterior wall and slabs of marble, a material chosen for its reflective quality.

The owners and interior designer chose a light and subtle color palette for the bathroom to amplify its light and spacious feel.

The natural stone finish of the floor and marble provides a timeless look andconnects the bathroom with the outside world visible through the window.

McCalligan says the bathroom needed a focal point, which was visible on entry.The shower cubicle, luminescent on a bright day, provides just this.

"The shower area has a radial entry, which meant it could be doorless. Its nautical style works well with the central rainhead, which is recessed into the ceiling to appear integrated," he says.

The peninsula design of the vanity allows each user a private and separate area with direct connections to walk-in closets in the adjoining wall. The vanity's dark stain contrasts with the light tone of the flooring to make it stand out from the decor as a refined piece of furniture.

Mirrors were custom made to fit into either side of the mosaic partition above the vanity. It is illuminated at head height by pendant lights with an Art Deco twist.

The bathtub, a further nod to nautical design, is placed in the window and elevated from floor level to take advantage of the view and promote spacial flow.