Serene Main Bath Retreat

Designer Barbara Gilbert gave this bathroom a fresh, serene look, including a spa bathtub and vintage chandelier.

Brown Transitional Master Bathroom With Tiled Bathtub

Brown Transitional Master Bathroom

A fireplace makes this brown transitional master bathroom unique and adorns the multicolored tiled bathtub that sits in the center of the space. A chandelier hangs from the ceiling and provides the perfect lighting when relaxing in the tub. The bright colored painting sitting above the fireplace catches the eye compared to the neutral walls.

By: Caroline Shannon-Karasik

Designer Barbara Gilbert turned this main bathroom into a luxurious and relaxing space similar to a spa or hotel bathroom. A jetted spa tub with mosaic tiles, an antique chandelier and metallic shower tiles are just a few of the features that make this bathroom one worth enjoying.

What were the main items on the owner’s wish list for this space?

This main bathroom was outdated and in need of a fresh, updated look. The homeowner wanted a peaceful retreat that was also glamorous as well as functional and kind of girlie. A new shower with multiple showerheads and jets was a must-have along with a new jetted spa bathtub and a commode that cleans itself. A glamorous look is what inspired the Swarovski crystal chandelier and cabinet knobs.

What was the single-largest issue you wanted to address?

The freestanding bathtub was too large for the space, so we used a smaller tub to allow for better circulation.

What was your biggest obstacle in this space?

The closet doors proved to be a design and construction challenge. The original doors were sliding mirror doors with a gold rim around them. Having large mirror doors made the space look larger and lighter, so we decided to install custom mirrored doors with beveled edges. As a result of the weight of the doors, a custom track system was needed and installed. After the installation the doors were not opening properly, so they were removed and the track system was revised successfully.

How does the end result match up with your original vision for the space?

The plan for the ceiling, which I consider a fifth wall, was a three-step metallic glaze process where the color was a soft champagne hue that would reflect the sparkle from the crystal chandelier when it was turned on. With the chandelier over the bathtub, it would have created a beautiful ambiance. After the three-step process was complete, we noticed every imperfection in the ceiling and it just wasn’t smooth enough. So we decided to leave the metallic glaze off, but continued with the same champagne-colored ceiling and it’s beautiful.

What surprised you the most about this project?

The metallic ceiling incident taught me a huge lesson about the importance of having thorough discussions with all parties involved in the remodeling process, including the painter and general contractor.

What are the hidden gems in your plan?

The chandelier is one of my favorite things in the room. It was an old antique that we had refurbished. We were able to select the color, crystals, size and shape, and some of the flat back crystals were painted the same color as the chandelier to add depth. We also took the closet and turned it into a shoe closet, which is every gal's dream. The commode is pretty fabulous too. Not only does is clean itself, but the seats are heated and it can also function as a bidet. The homeowner loves unique pieces of art so we had a hand-blown glass Rondelle made and hung on the wall.

See Photos of the Makeover

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Barbara Gilbert Interiors

Barbara Gilbert Interiors

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Amy Guess
www.interiordesigndallas.com ASID 13155 Noel Road, Ste 900 Dallas, TX 75240 214-641-7897