Many times, when asked to recreate a master bathroom, our new customer describes an experience they had at a dedicated spa in a hotel, luxury cruise or a wellness retreat out west. If we ask the right questions and listen carefully, we will hear about the ambiance, tilework, cabinetry and the sensory sensations that made this experience so memorable. We have developed many Spa Like bathroom designs over the years but each has been unique to the homeowner. Often the materials we use are reminiscent of that wonderful memory described to us. Recently we recreated a master bathroom for a couple in Robbinsville, NJ but will focus on some of the materials we used that made this special for this customer. 

Texture Stone Tiles

In January 2021 we blogged about a few natural bathroom design ideas that used several different natural stone tiles. For this project we used a textured shower tile made from porcelain that gives the appearance of dark stacked stone. Windows were placed in both the shower and the tub area to create a sense of the outdoors. As you can see, when the natural light hits the textured stone tiles it presents good visual depth. We added some accent lighting that continues this natural feel when we don’t have any natural light from the outside.

This home is secluded on a wooded property and the master bath is on the second floor, so we could take advantage of the privacy and use that to its benefit. We have used textured subway tile in a few kitchens as a textured tile backsplash, but not in the bathroom before this project. Our customer described a spa expierience they had when visiting a plush resort in the mountains of western Pennsylvania that had staked stone for the walls. Our goal was to evoke that pleasant memory. We are told that we achieved that goal.
 

There is nothing new about natural stone tiles but more often you find them polished with a smooth surface and used as flooring, backsplashes and in shower stalls. Textured stone tiles were often reserved for the wall near the chimney. We have used porcelain tile that looks like marble around a jacuzzi tub before, but these peel and stick wall textured stone tiles we used for this bathroom were great to work with and look wonderful. We did use some additional adhesive to ensure longevity.

White Oak Bathroom Vanity

Rift cut white oak allows for beautiful, straight grain patterns on the face boards. When our oak bathroom vanity is sealed with a natural white oak color stain, you get a very natural feel to the wood. Here we wanted to have a mixture of blond and brownish hues to the cabinets. We can achieve that with White Oak. It requires a custom cabinet maker that will spend the time sorting lumber in advance to achieve our goals. Our friends over at Cabredo Cabinets in Lancaster PA are expert craftsmen that pay close attention to the details we provide them. The countertop is Namib White (quartzite) and we went with Brizo Hardware for the cabinet hardware and sink faucets. 

Red Oak Vs. White Oak Cabinets

White Oak is more resistant to moisture than red oak lumber. White Oak also tends to have a straighter grain and therefore we prefer it in larger bathroom vanities. We have included a steam unit in the shower of this bathroom and assumed that the increased moisture content in the air could pose a challenge with more porous wood species. Red Oak tends to be very porous and although it accepts stains very well, too much moisture can soften the wood and make it more susceptible to rot. White oak is a slightly harder wood and therefore costs a little more than red oak lumber. Staining and sealing white oak cabinetry is the trick. It should be professionally done using high quality materials. All of these concepts figure into our wood selection decisions. Here we went with White Oak.

Bathroom Design Showroom

A new master bathroom design should be carefully composed to meet certain goals of the homeowner.  A typical Google search for a bathroom design showroom near me will probably include every Home Depot or Lowes in a 15-mile radius. Not sure these over worked, under paid workers you find there have the vision, skills and credentials required to design your new bathroom. If you are a DIY'er, it may be perfect. Our bathroom designers are well trained, detail oriented, and highly accomplished. Our kitchen and bath showroom is fully equipped with samples, swatches and virtual design software required to design a beautiful bathroom. What sets us apart from others is our ability to listen closely to your desires, interpret your aspirations and our genuine interest in all things design.

Call us today to schedule an appointment: 609.466.1445