Natural palette

Inspiration for a remodeling project can come from many different places, but sometimes it's the smallest thing that can lead to the biggest change.

For this new master suite in an all-stone Tudor Revival-style home, it was a simple faucet that inspired the look of the entire remodel.

Designer Valery Tessier of Case Design/Remodeling says the owner showed her a picture of a contemporary bronze faucet he liked. This helped in choosing the multicolored slate tile, limestone tops and wood veneers.

"Essentially, the suite has a masculine feel, which is appropriate for the owner. But he didn't want a highly contemporary look. The 80-year-old house has its own character, and the client wanted to keep the traditional features."

For this reason, the original windows, trims, radiators and grilles were retained, along with the position of the doors and windows.

"Because the owner didn't want a separate, walk-in closet, we took quite a bit of time to position the dressing area within the bedroom," Tessier says. "Large fiddleback anigre wood veneer closets create a transition space between the sleeping area and bathroom, and a low cabinet provides a sense of separation for the dressing area."

Flush doors and drawers on the cabinets feature a subtle herringbone pattern the absence of hardware enhances the modern look.

In the bathroom, Brazil multicolored slate lines the floors and walls, right up to the ceiling. Tessier says the variegated rust, green and blue tones of the slate complement the solid alder wood of the vanities, and the woodlands beyond the windows.

"The dark look of the slate also helps to give the bathroom a more masculine appeal."

For added visual impact, the slate tiles are in different sizes, with the largest tiles on the floor of the room. Smaller 4in x 4in tiles provide traction and add visual texture to the floor of the large shower room.

The slate is teamed with Lagos Blue limestone, which features on the tub surround, vanity tops and custom-designed, square-edged sinks. English bronze faucets and matching accessories complete the look.

At the owner's request, the vanity cabinets are wall mounted. The designer says this offers a deeper perspective, and the extra space sacrificed is not a problem there is ample storage in the two vanities.

The sense of luxury that is evident throughout the suite is reinforced by the large shower, which incorporates a bench seat, and a number of showers and body sprays.

Story by: Colleen Hawkes

Photography by: Jamie Cobeldick