Bathroom of the Week: Classic With Modern Touches

Photos by Niamh Barry

Bathroom at a Glance
Who lives here: A family of four
Location: Toronto
Size: 126 square feet (12 square meters)
Designers: Gabriele Guiducci of Geometra Design (architecture) and Terra Kushner of TK Creative (interior design)
Builder: Alexander Tencate Design Build

The house sits on a tight lot, close to neighboring homes. So one of the first things Guiducci did when planning the bathroom was to look to the light. “Lighting was key,” he says. “We did a sun study of the property and I wound up moving the driveway from one side of the house to the other with sunlight and window placements in mind.” His layout for the home allowed for a large east-facing window in the bathroom (seen here in the mirror’s reflection) to let in the morning light. He also planned for a south-facing window in the toilet room. Using a clear glass door on the toilet room enables the entire bathroom to benefit from both windows.

To get a classic feel in the room, Kushner used a lot of light marble and porcelain finishes. To add contrast, warmth and a modern touch, she designed a bookmatched walnut vanity. The matte black wall-mounted faucets, high backsplash and sheet mirror also bring in clean, modern lines. The mirror-mounted sconces add a hint of urban Art Deco style that’s both classic and modern.

Ceiling light: Urban Archaeology

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Guiducci planned for a generous shower stall that measures 4 by 5 feet. Matching the glass, framing and handle of the shower door to that on the toilet room door created a clean, cohesive feel. “All the lights are strategically placed to create interesting sightlines from each vantage point in the space,” Kushner says. “For example, the sconce in the shower glows from the entrance, and the ceiling-mounted light over the bathtub warms the space.”

The vibe of the Ludlow served as the jumping-off point for Kushner in terms of its timeless materials and classic design. Then she tailored things to suit her clients and their needs. The hotel’s bathroom floors inspired one particular detail. They’re composed of mosaic tiles with striking black-and-white contrast. Kushner riffed off this idea, using a combination of 1-inch hexagonal off-white marble mosaic tiles and half-inch square tumbled black marble mosaic tiles. The dark outline creates a nice sense of scale. The hexagonal tiles continue up the walls to form the baseboards.

When choosing finishes, Kushner considered functionality and durability along with beauty. Accordingly, she used porcelain slabs for the countertop and bathtub surround. The small floor tiles provide much-needed grip in the bathroom. The floors are also heated.

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Both homeowners like to take baths, so Guiducci worked a 5-foot drop-in tub into the layout. Kushner finished the surround in porcelain with marble-like veining. Repeating this material throughout the room adds to the cohesive feel. The surround also maintains the bathroom’s clean, modern lines.

The streamlined tub deck makes it easier to get in and out of the bathtub than a freestanding tub would, and it’s easier to keep clean. It also provides space to place an item like a book or a drink.

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Inside the shower, a niche houses the plumbing fixtures. Kushner used leftover porcelain to outline and back the niche. The matte black fixtures lend an urban element and strong contrast to the mix.

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Kushner added a niche in the toilet room for contrast, interest and display space. It matches the walnut she used on the vanity. This is a spot where the homeowners can add some eclectic and surprising touches.