Woodland retreat

The massive Adirondack vacation homes in the Great Camps of Upstate New York over 100 years ago celebrated an artisanal ambiance, with an emphasis on locally sourced materials and handcrafted construction. Although the houses were grand and opulent, a rustic style was favored inside and out, in keeping with the remote locations.

This master ensuite bathroom reflects a whole-house emphasis on Douglas fir and other locally available materials. The mountain home was designed by architect Laine Jones, and handcrafted by builder Steve Howell.

"Everything from crown mouldings on the upper cabinetry to the substantial stone fireplace in the master bedroom has a hand-worked aesthetic," says Jones. "Colors for the space were selected to further the unobtrusive, earthy material palette."

The master bathroom is an L-shaped room, with the spa bath at one end and a large, walk-in shower room at the other. A separate, attached room accommodates the toilet.

"The tub was placed so bathers can enjoy the scenery from the spa," says Jones.

At the opposite end of the space stands the large shower. At the request of the clients, this extends about 12in around the corner from the shower entrance, for a greater showering area.

"One tricky element was the toilet. Through other constraints, this became an internal room within the suite," says Jones.

An internal window was built into this room to avoid a claustrophobic feel, and to introduce natural light and views.

"Now even this room has views to the lake across the bathroom through the external window. Privacy was not paramount, as the ensuite bathroom is used only by the owners."

An extensive use of mirrors and clear glass on the shower door help increase the sense of size in the bathroom.

"Because of the many hand-built elements, attention to detail was an important part of this project," says Jones. "Everything was closely considered, from the double-action blinds that provide a degree of privacy for bathers, to the bronze tapware that works so well with the golden tones of the Douglas fir."

Story by: Trendsideas