Immersed in sculpture

A bathtub can be more than a place to soak tired bones. With vision and the right materials it can be a work of art, especially when set against a background of trees and a great view.

Laurence Dreiband, the designer and owner, created a sculptural environment for this master bathroom, in the hills above California's San Fernando Valley.

In designing the tub, he juxtaposed slabs of Cascon bleu limestone, duplicating the angles of the house. The limestone is also used on the floor.

"I looked for natural materials, such as the limestone, which is embedded with fossils," Dreiband says.

Walnut and white oak also appear in the bathroom. The cross-grained texture of wood softens the stone. In keeping with the home's open-plan design, the walnut floor continues into the bathroom without interruption.

"I thought about a door, but the area is so private that it wasn't necessary," he says.

Lagos Azul limestone was carved into an angular basin, complementing the sharp lines of the interior and bathtub.

A glass shower cubicle pops out of the house, creating the feel of an open light box.

Story by: Lori Nims