Byzantine mood rich-toned bathroom by designer Steven Gamper and Cedric Brown

Sometimes the impact of a particular design element can be more dramatic in real life than it appears on the plans. With this scenario, you may be tempted to throw caution to the winds and turn this asset into a central feature.

When owner Cedric Brown set eyes on the barrel ceiling in his master suite he took such positive action. Brown says the arch was higher and more arresting than he'd expected.

"To optimize its presence I decided to face the ceiling in bronze mosaic tiles and run these down the walls as well, making the space seem even more lofty than it actually is. And the light reflected from the thousands of glass mosaics further enhances the drama of the bathroom."

Designer Steven Gamper says the room incorporates other luxurious touches.

"These include a refined, elongated ebony vanity with stepped-out elements, signaling the position of the freestanding countertop bowls.

"The ebony is repeated on the large wall mirror frames this makes a connection to similar treatments in the adjacent master bedroom," says Gamper. "A circle motif also features, in the window at one end, an antique mirror at the other and on the custom doors."

Story by: Charles Moxham