Sweep of time

One of the most evocative ambiances we can bring to our bathroom is the feeling that the space has a long, involved history. One way to achieve this effect is to bring together diverse materials, furniture and finishes that look like they may each have been sourced at different stages of the bathroom’s development. While the space may look like it evolved over decades, in reality it might have been brought together in only weeks. That was the case for this bathroom designed by architect Kent DeReus. As with the rest of the home’s interior, the bathroom strives for an eclectic balance of elements that, when set out together, provide a rich, if implied, history for the space. “A stand-alone tub, exposed plumbing and an exposed shower spray all contribute to a sense of being finished, or nearly completed over time,” he says. “In addition, the custom vanity was designed to have a free-standing feel, adding to the suggested intrigue of pieces that look like they were brought here from some previous situation.” Materials also contribute to this sense of a history unfolding. Large granite floor tiles are repeated in a smaller scale on the upper walls of the shower. In the shower stall’s lower area, the honed tiles are left rough around the edges. This again implies a feeling of built-in change, as if the tile surfaces were polished smooth on one particular day, and that the coarse edges were left to be polished at some possible later date. “While the tub is traditional in shape, it sits alongside a transparent glass shower stall,” say DeReus. “We tried to keep within the classic style as much as possible, but the glass walls on the shower stall were a notable exception. Their inclusion makes the most of the bathroom’s views.” Various elements tie together, such as the flooring tiles and shower stall finishes, but the ceiling provides a sculptural event in its own right. “Much of the rest of the home has exposed wood beams and soaring ceiling heights,” says the architect. “The groin-vault ceiling featured here actually brings the height down for the bathroom, creating an intimate, relaxing feel.” DeReus also wanted the ceiling to feel like an element introduced over time to the space – again adding to the implicit layers of history. “Potentially, these curves could have covered an earlier, rafter-bound ceiling. However, there was another reason for their choice,” says DeReus. “Together with their historic feel, the vaulted ceilings bring an added sense of light to the room.”

Story by: Trendsideas