This bathroom remodeling project, which took place in one of the private residences at the Waldorf Astoria (formerly the Elysian) in Chicago’s Gold Coast neighborhood, was designed to be elegant and functional. We installed gray and white Carrara marble floors and a marble shower, which included a built-in floating bench. The bathroom also features cove lighting, heated floors, and a custom stone frame to hold the gorgeous standalone tub. We used multiple lighting sources around the double-sink vanity to create a sleek, modern look.

Photo credit: Scott McDonald @ Hedrich Blessing 7RR-Ecohome: The design objective was to build a house for a couple recently married who both had kids from previous marriages. How to bridge two families together? The design looks forward in terms of how people live today. The home is an experiment in transparency and solid form; removing borders and edges from outside to inside the house, and to really depict “flowing and endless space”. The house floor plan is derived by pushing and pulling the house’s form to maximize the backyard and minimize the public front yard while welcoming the sun in key rooms by rotating the house 45-degrees to true north. The angular form of the house is a result of the family’s program, the zoning rules, the lot’s attributes, and the sun’s path. We wanted to construct a house that is smart and efficient in terms of construction and energy, both in terms of the building and the user. We could tell a story of how the house is built in terms of the constructability, structure and enclosure, with a nod to Japanese wood construction in the method in which the siding is installed and the exposed interior beams are placed in the double height space. We engineered the house to be smart which not only looks modern but acts modern; every aspect of user control is simplified to a digital touch button, whether lights, shades, blinds, HVAC, communication, audio, video, or security. We developed a planning module based on a 6-foot square room size and a 6-foot wide connector called an interstitial space for hallways, bathrooms, stairs and mechanical, which keeps the rooms pure and uncluttered. The house is 6,200 SF of livable space, plus garage and basement gallery for a total of 9,200 SF. A large formal foyer celebrates the entry and opens up to the living, dining, kitchen and family rooms all focused on the rear garden. The east side of the second floor is the Master wing and a center bridge connects it to the kid’s wing on the west. Second floor terraces and sunscreens provide views and shade in this suburban setting. The playful mathematical grid of the house in the x, y and z axis also extends into the layout of the trees and hard-scapes, all centered on a suburban one-acre lot. Many green attributes were designed into the home; Ipe wood sunscreens and window shades block out unwanted solar gain in summer, but allow winter sun in. Patio door and operable windows provide ample opportunity for natural ventilation throughout the open floor plan. Minimal windows on east and west sides to reduce heat loss in winter and unwanted gains in summer. Open floor plan and large window expanse reduces lighting demands and maximizes available daylight. Skylights provide natural light to the basement rooms. Durable, low-maintenance exterior materials include stone, ipe wood siding and decking, and concrete roof pavers. Design is based on a 2' planning grid to minimize construction waste. Basement foundation walls and slab are highly insulated. FSC-certified walnut wood flooring was used. Light colored concrete roof pavers to reduce cooling loads by as much as 15%. 2x6 framing allows for more insulation and energy savings. Super efficient windows have low-E argon gas filled units, and thermally insulated aluminum frames. Permeable brick and stone pavers reduce the site’s storm-water runoff. Countertops use recycled composite materials. Energy-Star rated furnaces and smart thermostats are located throughout the house to minimize duct runs and avoid energy loss. Energy-Star rated boiler that heats up both radiant floors and domestic hot water. Low-flow toilets and plumbing fixtures are used to conserve water usage. No VOC finish options and direct venting fireplaces maintain a high interior air quality. Smart home system controls lighting, HVAC, and shades to better manage energy use. Plumbing runs through interior walls reducing possibilities of heat loss and freezing problems. A large food pantry was placed next to kitchen to reduce trips to the grocery store. Home office reduces need for automobile transit and associated CO2 footprint. Plan allows for aging in place, with guest suite than can become the master suite, with no need to move as family members mature.

Shown with the Designer Face. NO ELECTRICITY REQUIRED! Includes: Standing Pilot or IPI System, Classic Log Set, Fully Programmable Thermostat Remote Control, Heating Capacity:500 - 1,650 sq ft BTU Range: 33,000 - 17,000 (NG) 30,000 - 15,000 (LP) Turndown Ratio: 52% (NG) 50% (LP) P4 Canadian Efficiency: 75.5% (NG) 77.4% (LP)

Our clients wanted to create a backyard that would grow with their young family as well as with their extended family and friends. Entertaining was a huge priority! This family-focused backyard was designed to equally accommodate play and outdoor living/entertaining. The outdoor living spaces needed to accommodate a large number of people – adults and kids. Urban Oasis designed a deck off the back door so that the kitchen could be 36” height, with a bar along the outside edge at 42” for overflow seating. The interior space is approximate 600 sf and accommodates both a large dining table and a comfortable couch and chair set. The fire pit patio includes a seat wall for overflow seating around the fire feature (which doubles as a retaining wall) with ample room for chairs. The artificial turf lawn is spacious enough to accommodate a trampoline and other childhood favorites. Down the road, this area could be used for bocce or other lawn games. The concept is to leave all spaces large enough to be programmed in different ways as the family’s needs change. A steep slope presents itself to the yard and is a focal point. Planting a variety of colors and textures mixed among a few key existing trees changed this eyesore into a beautifully planted amenity for the property. Jimmy White Photography

Extra-large bathroom completed, free-standing tub, Carrara marble on floors and hexagon marble tile on the shower, includes 2 shower heads combination, bench, electrical upgrade, and heated floors.

This masterbath renovation is filled with inspiring ideas including a relaxing heated soaker tub! The natural light from the two windows adds character and brings the outside in. The vanity with dual undermounted sinks and new countertop offers a sleek look. The color scheme creates a timeless environment from the fixtures to the tile.

Extra-large bathroom completed, free-standing tub, Carrara marble on floors and hexagon marble tile on the shower, includes 2 shower heads combination, bench, electrical upgrade, and heated floors.

Extra-large bathroom completed, free-standing tub, Carrara marble on floors and hexagon marble tile on the shower, includes 2 shower heads combination, bench, electrical upgrade, and heated floors.

In this primary bath remodel, we've revamped the space by replacing the outdated tub, shower, and vanity with sleek upgrades. New custom vanity with quartz countertop, along with a freestanding tub accented by stylish lighting. The shower now includes a bench and custom product niche. New heated Carrara Ultra porcelain tile flooring for added comfort, all enhanced by black hardware and fixtures.

Extra-large bathroom completed, free-standing tub, Carrara marble on floors and hexagon marble tile on the shower, includes 2 shower heads combination, bench, electrical upgrade, and heated floors.

In this primary bath remodel, we've revamped the space by replacing the outdated tub, shower, and vanity with sleek upgrades. New custom vanity with quartz countertop, along with a freestanding tub accented by stylish lighting. The shower now includes a bench and custom product niche. New heated Carrara Ultra porcelain tile flooring for added comfort, all enhanced by black hardware and fixtures.

In this primary bath remodel, we've revamped the space by replacing the outdated tub, shower, and vanity with sleek upgrades. New custom vanity with quartz countertop, along with a freestanding tub accented by stylish lighting. The shower now includes a bench and custom product niche. New heated Carrara Ultra porcelain tile flooring for added comfort, all enhanced by black hardware and fixtures.

Basement Development to include hardwood flooring, tiled shower surround, heated tile flooring, fireplace, stone, LED lighting, smart switches, finish carpentry. 2 bedroom, 1 rec room, 1 study area, 1 bar.

Extra-large bathroom completed, free-standing tub, Carrara marble on floors and hexagon marble tile on the shower, includes 2 shower heads combination, bench, electrical upgrade, and heated floors.

In this primary bath remodel, we've revamped the space by replacing the outdated tub, shower, and vanity with sleek upgrades. New custom vanity with quartz countertop, along with a freestanding tub accented by stylish lighting. The shower now includes a bench and custom product niche. New heated Carrara Ultra porcelain tile flooring for added comfort, all enhanced by black hardware and fixtures.

Extra-large bathroom completed, free-standing tub, Carrara marble on floors and hexagon marble tile on the shower, includes 2 shower heads combination, bench, electrical upgrade, and heated floors.

In this primary bath remodel, we've revamped the space by replacing the outdated tub, shower, and vanity with sleek upgrades. New custom vanity with quartz countertop, along with a freestanding tub accented by stylish lighting. The shower now includes a bench and custom product niche. New heated Carrara Ultra porcelain tile flooring for added comfort, all enhanced by black hardware and fixtures.

This rustic yet modern custom home was built with hydronic-heated concrete floors and above requirement dense-pack insulation in the walls and ceiling. Extraordinary features include a custom-made spiral log staircase that leads to a loft with a secret room behind a hidden-door bookcase and a bar with a solid log bar top.

In this primary bath remodel, we've revamped the space by replacing the outdated tub, shower, and vanity with sleek upgrades. New custom vanity with quartz countertop, along with a freestanding tub accented by stylish lighting. The shower now includes a bench and custom product niche. New heated Carrara Ultra porcelain tile flooring for added comfort, all enhanced by black hardware and fixtures.