Traditional, yet simply styled bathroom with decorative wall tiles, freestanding tub

When a bathroom has plenty of drama architecturally, it's often best served by an interior design that's not overly ornate.

That was the thinking behind this remodeled bathroom, which was designed by Janice Teague CKD, CBD, of Drury Design Kitchen & Bath Studio.

The designer says the original room was very traditional, with elaborate crown mouldings and a lot of heavy stone.

"The owners wanted a much cleaner look there is already plenty going on visually with the dramatic vaulted ceiling and deeply recessed arched windows. The bathroom also had a large Jacuzzi-style tub that took up an entire wall on one side, and was never used."

Teague's solution was to highlight the existing architectural symmetry, by placing a smaller Victoria & Albert freestanding tub in the center of the room between the windows. To accentuate this focal point, the wall beside the tub is clad in decorative tiles that resemble wallpaper.

"To crisp it up a little, we introduced chrome Schluter finishing strips around the edge of this tiled wall, and around the recessed niche above the tub," says the designer. These also add a little sparkle."

A scaled-down version of the tiles lines the interior of the steam shower. Here the tiles follow the line of the vaulted ceiling. The walls in the shower have matching Schluter chrome strips.

The furniture in the bathroom features hickory wood with a dark Cocoa Bean stain. It includes a long vanity unit with an open lower shelf and tall cabinets at either end providing plenty of storage.

"The owners wanted their bathroom to incorporate a dressing area, with some closet and linen storage," says Teague. "So we added a large armoire that sits opposite the vanity the two sides of the room are balanced visually. This has dappled mirror glass on the center doors."

Further storage is provided by two new hampers tucked beneath the arched windows, which double as seats.

For a finishing touch, Teague added a dark, silvery accent tile to the marble-look porcelain tiled floor.

Story by: Colleen Hawkes

Photography by: Eric Hausman