Designing a Little Spa Sanctuary in Sausalito
Bathroom remodels are known across homebuyers as an easy way to increase the value of your home. What we don’t talk about as often is how the bathroom is where you spend so much of your lifetime decompressing and relaxing. It is the main area of your home that is just for you to spend time with yourself.
When Annie came to me with a special vision of an organic spa aesthetic for her primary bathroom, I knew we could make something so special. She wanted it to be unique, experiential and organic.
Space Constraints
We started by talking through the space we had to work with, and if there was any variability with the square footage that was allocated. Space was extremely limited in her existing bathroom, so we talked through our options to expand that space and how we could move the flow of her upstairs around to accommodate. Even with adding square footage to our floorplan, we settled on making the most of ~64 square feet. And 64 square feet would have been feasible with only a shower or bathtub / shower combination, but the one non-negotiable for the project was a standalone tub.
Back of the napkin drawing of what we started with. We decided to take over the linen closet and hallway.
I am a big believer in bathtime, so I was fully onboard with the requirement, but there was no possible way to fit a normal sized bath and shower separately into a space that small. Luckily, Annie is a small human herself, so we were able to source a more compact tub. It fits perfectly against a pony wall of the most beautiful Tiles of Ezra zellige natural tile. And for the shower, the vanity and toilet, we opted for these items to be as compact as possible so that the scale of the bathroom would be consistent.
“Mocking Up” the Bathroom with Tape
One exercise that helps so much at this phase of design is taping out the space so you can actually walk into a “mockup” of the layout and see if it feels well spaced and functional. We had a few tweaks come out of the mockup, and were so glad we did it.
Thoughts Behind Block Planning
Designing a bathroom to feel like a spa can be a challenge when space is limited. Part of the luxury of a spa is separated spaces and rooms to feel comfortable in, with the elements (earth, air, fire and water). We started by centering the shower right as you walk into the bathroom, so that your eye is lifted up, and the gorgeous glass surround brings light to the room and magnifies the gorgeous raw brass shower fixtures. The toilet hides behind the shower, because, let’s be real, no one wants to focus on the aesthetic of a toilet.. The bath took up an entire wall across the shower and toilet, and was flanked by a pony wall of the same tile as the flooring, as well as an inset nook for bath goodies. It is a moment of its own.
The Show Stopper: Custom White Oak Vanity
…And then there was one of our most gorgeous standout features of this remodel: a custom white oak vanity we designed. In my opinion, a vanity or shower should be the first thing you see when you walk into a bathroom. They’re typically symmetrical, reflective, unique.. And this vanity is no different - we designed it to emulate the natural curvature of wood grain, shown in the pulls of the drawers. It is a beautiful and functional element that ties the entire space together.
Incorporating a Collector’s Aesthetic
Annie and I both are collectors of crystals and antiques and we wanted to incorporate our collected items into the bathroom in some way. To achieve this, we built out a large 36” wide large open shelving concept where we could style and display beautiful objects and bathroom essentials. The shelves not only added a touch of whimsy to the space, but also served as a functional storage solution. By incorporating Annies collections into the design, we were able to create a space that felt uniquely her own and reflected her personal style. This open shelving space is always the most unique and complimented area of the bathroom. It was so much fun to do something out of the ordinary and was a huge payoff.
Choosing the Right Materials
When designing any project, choosing the right materials and products is crucial to your success. We working closely with Annie to source options for the tile, brass fixtures, white oak wood, plaster, hardware and other elements. To ensure that everything would look and feel just right, we got samples for everything, so we could touch and feel it, and see the color tones and textures next to one another. The natural tile for the flooring and pony wall, for example, took forever to get just right. We ordered samples of what looked like the same color from multiple companies before we found the perfect peachy tone that felt clean, not muddy. This investment upfront allowed us to build confidence in our decisions and made it easier to ensure that the final result would be just what Annie was looking for.
Client Trust in the Design Process
The success of our project is heavily dependent on the relationship between myself, as the designer, and Annie, as the client. In order for any designer to do their best work, they need the trust and support of their client. Annie had full trust in me as a designer, and was open to my aesthetic and process. This trust allowed us to have fun with the design process and work together to create a space that reflected her personal style and met all of her requirements. When a client trusts their designer’s craft, it allows for a more relaxed and collaborative design experience, and ultimately leads to a more successful outcome.
Remote and Collaborative Design Experience
Every designer-client relationship is different, and the level of communication can vary greatly. Some clients prefer highly formalized communication, while others are in touch with their designer all day every day. Annie and I had a fun texting banter throughout the project and would FaceTime each other to keep us up-to-date, which made the whole experience informal and collaborative. This relaxed and open communication allowed us to explore different design options, try new things, and work together to create a unique experience down to the tiniest of details. It’s all in the details!
