It’s funny how more than once in the last year an entire home renovation has started with the master bathroom. It seems that our clients simply can’t live with old, outdated, dark en-suites. We don’t blame them. At the end of a long day walking into your own personal oasis is just about the best reward for all of your hard work. Hence, let’s start with the master bath!

This West Vancouver bathroom lacked style and storage. The old outdated glass blocks had to go, as did the under-utilized and oversized bathtub. Dark and dreary, this was no modern retreat for the homeowners.

The first order of business was to remove the glass blocks; although they were unattractive they did provide light and privacy in the space. We solved the problem by creating floor to ceiling storage and fronting the doors with elegant mirrors. The mirrors bounce enough light that the window is long forgotten along with the blocks. Now much needed storage is front and centre in the room.

Secondly we had to address the vanity, which was in desperate need of an update. We designed a custom cabinet and vanity with a high priority on functionality as well as style.

The last and most exciting part of the design was choosing the fixtures and finishes for the space. We picked a marble tile with a beautiful soft grey grain for the walls. The marble carries into the grand shower, which we contained with beautiful glass doors. The shower features matching marble floor tiles in a chevron pattern to add interest and drama. The lightwood cabinetry feels modern and light and balances perfectly with the marble. This combination of elements lightens the feel of the room and keeps it contemporary and timeless. All of the fixtures are a polished stainless which adds luxury and femininity to the design.

The clients were delighted with their new en-suite, and so were we. Although we placed a high priority on functionality when designing the space, you can see that style did not have to suffer as a result. It is as important to balance your needs when planning a room, as it is to balance your design elements. Great design happens when all of the boxes are checked on both of those lists.