Marengo Morton Architects, Inc. in La Jolla, CA, specializes in Coastal Development Permits, Master Planning, Multi-Family, Residential, Commercial, Restaurant, Hospitality, Development, Code Violations, Forensics and Construction Management.

  Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   This homeowner’s daughter originally contacted us on behalf of her parents who were reluctant to begin the remodeling process in their home due to the inconvenience and dust. Once we met and they dipped their toes into the process, we were off to the races. The existing bathroom in this beautiful historical 1920’s home, had not been updated since the 70’/80’s as evidenced by the blue carpeting, mirrored walls and dropped ceilings. In addition, there was very little storage, and some health setbacks had made the bathroom difficult to maneuver with its tub shower. Once we demoed, we discovered everything we expected to find in a home that had not been updated for many years. We got to work bringing all the electrical and plumbing up to code, and it was just as dusty and dirty as the homeowner’s anticipated! Once the space was demoed, we got to work building our new plan. We eliminated the existing tub and created a large walk-in curb-less shower. An existing closet was eliminated and in its place, we planned a custom built in with spots for linens, jewelry and general storage. Because of the small space, we had to be very creative with the shower footprint, so we clipped one of the walls for more clearance behind the sink. The bathroom features a beautiful custom mosaic floor tile as well as tiled walls throughout the space. This required lots of coordination between the carpenter and tile setter to make sure that the framing and tile design were all properly aligned. We worked around an existing radiator and a unique original leaded window that was architecturally significant to the façade of the home. We had a lot of extra depth behind the original toilet location, so we built the wall out a bit, moved the toilet forward and then created some extra storage space behind the commode. We settled on mirrored mullioned doors to bounce lots of light around the smaller space. We also went back and forth on deciding between a single and double vanity, and in the end decided the single vanity allowed for more counter space, more storage below and for the design to breath a bit in the smaller space. I’m so happy with this decision! To build on the luxurious feel of the space, we added a heated towel bar and heated flooring. One of the concerns the homeowners had was having a comfortable floor to walk on. They realized that carpet was not a very practical solution but liked the comfort it had provided. Heated floors are the perfect solution. The room is decidedly traditional from its intricate mosaic marble floor to the calacutta marble clad walls. Elegant gold chandelier style fixtures, marble countertops and Morris & Co. beaded wallpaper provide an opulent feel to the space. The gray monochromatic pallet keeps it feeling fresh and up-to-date. The beautiful leaded glass window is an important architectural feature at the front of the house. In the summertime, the homeowners love having the window open for fresh air and ventilation. We love it too! The curb-less shower features a small fold down bench that can be used if needed and folded up when not. The shower also features a custom niche for storing shampoo and other hair products. The linear drain is built into the tilework and is barely visible. A frameless glass door that swings both in and out completes the luxurious feel. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Michael Kaskel For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

Photo c/o Laura Werrell, Home Shots Real Estate Photography. Home staging c/o Bonnie Carter, Staged Results.
Mid-sized transitional master medium tone wood floor and gray floor bedroom photo in Toronto with gray walls and no fireplace

Kitchen Craft's simplistic design with white Millstone Weathered Slate finish against light oak floors creates a light, casual atmosphere in any chaotic kitchen. http://www.kitchencraft.com/

The freestanding bath is a stone composite with a very organic shape. The soft flow of the bath is like a wave washing over you and magically helps to dissipate some of the stresses of the day. Photo's by Andrew Ashton

This growing family needed more living space in their 1926 St. Paul, MN Bungalow, and had great potential in their unfinished attic for a new master suite. Castle began working with the city to grandfather some existing conditions in, like the steeper stairs and lower ceiling height to comply with building codes. New insulation, interior walls, electrical, heating, and a full interior finish was planned. The finished space incorporates traditional millwork matching the lower level of the home, a custom built-in bookshelf, new white doors, and pre-finished white oak hardwood floors in a rich Licorice stain. The dark floors and oil-bronze accents throughout the space really anchors the room and completes an overall bright color pallet with high contrast. In the new bathroom, a cement tile floor was selected to tie in the homeowner’s classy flair. Switching the finishes to polished brass inside the bathroom really brings a lux and regal feel to the space. Paired with traditional subway tile, white vanity, refurbished vintage medicine cabinet, and neutral walls, the new bathroom is elegant, yet understated. One of our favorite features is the use of the two existing dormers. One dormer was converted into a new walk-in closet with custom glass closet doors, so the light can still shine into the bedroom. The 2nd dormer, we left open for a quaint sitting and reading nook. See full details (including before photos) at http://www.castlebri.com/attics/project-3299-1/ Designed by: Emily Blonigen

Durston Saylor
Huge cottage master medium tone wood floor bedroom photo in Boston with blue walls

Ron Rosenzweig
Tuscan white two-story exterior home photo in Miami

Riad Zasha: Middle Eastern Beauty at the Beach Private Residence / Alys Beach, Florida Architect: Khoury & Vogt Architects Builder: Alys Beach Construction --- “Riad Zasha resides in Alys Beach, a New Urbanist community along Scenic Highway 30-A in the Florida Panhandle,” says the design team at Khoury & Vogt Architects (KVA), the town architects of Alys Beach. “So named by the homeowner, who came with an explicit preference for something more exotic and Middle Eastern, the house evokes Moroccan and Egyptian influences spatially and decoratively while maintaining continuity with its surrounding architecture, all of which is tightly coded.” E. F. San Juan furnished Weather Shield impact-rated windows and doors, a mahogany impact-rated front door, and all of the custom exterior millwork, including shutters, screens, trim, handrails, and gates. The distinctive tower boasts indoor-outdoor “Florida room” living spaces caged in beautiful wooden mashrabiya grilles created by our team. The execution of this incredible home by the professionals at Alys Beach Construction and KVA resulted in a landmark residence for the town. Challenges: “Part of [the Alys Beach] coding, along with the master plan itself, dictated that a tower mark the corner of the lot,” says KVA. “Aligning this with the adjoining park to the south reinforces the axiality of each and locks the house into a greater urban whole.” The sheer amount of custom millwork created for this house made it a challenge, but a welcome one. The unique exterior called for wooden details everywhere, from the shutters to the handrails, mouldings and trim, roof decking, courtyard gates, ceiling panels for the Florida rooms, loggia screen panels, and more—but the tower was the standout element. The homeowners’ desire for Middle Eastern influences was met through the wooden mashrabiya (or moucharaby) oriel-style wooden latticework enclosing the third-story tower living space. Creating this focal point was some of our team’s most unique work to date, requiring the ultimate attention to detail, precision, and planning. The location close to the Gulf of Mexico also dictated that we partner with our friends at Weather Shield on the impact-rated exterior windows and doors, and their Lifeguard line was perfect for the job. The mahogany impact-rated front door also combines safety and security with beauty and style. Solution: Working closely with KVA and Alys Beach Construction on the timeline and planning for our custom wood products, windows, and doors was monumental to the success of this build. The amount of millwork produced meant our team had to carefully manage their time while ensuring we provided the highest quality of detail and work. The location south of Scenic Highway 30-A, steps from the beach, also meant deciding with KVA and Alys Beach Construction what materials should be used for the best possible production quality and looks while adhering to coding and standing the test of time in the harsh Gulfside elements such as high winds, humidity, and salt. The tower elements alone required the utmost care for building and installation. It was truly a test of skill for our team and Alys Beach Construction to create the corbels and other support pieces that would hold up the wooden oriel windows and latticework screens. We couldn’t be happier with the result and are genuinely honored to have been part of the talented team on such a cornerstone residence in the Alys Beach townscape. --- Photography courtesy of Alys Beach

Rosie Mendoza Photography
Example of a mid-sized beach style master porcelain tile bedroom design in Miami with blue walls

When designing your dream home, there’s one room that is incredibly important. The master bathroom shouldn’t just be where you go to shower it should be a retreat. Having key items and a functional layout is crucial to love your new custom home. Consider the following elements to design your Master Ensuite 1. Think about toilet placement 2. Double sinks are key 3. Storage 4. Ventilation prevents mold and moisture 5. To tub or not to tub 6. Showers should be functional 7. Spacing should be considered 8. Closet Placement Bonus Tips: Lighting is important so think it through Make sure you have enough electrical outlets but also that they are within code The vanity height should be comfortable A timeless style means you won’t have to renovate Flooring should be non-slip Think about smells, noises, and moisture. BEST PRO TIP: this is a large investment, get a pro designer, In the end you will save time and money.

When designing your dream home, there’s one room that is incredibly important. The master bathroom shouldn’t just be where you go to shower it should be a retreat. Having key items and a functional layout is crucial to love your new custom home. Consider the following elements to design your Master Ensuite 1. Think about toilet placement 2. Double sinks are key 3. Storage 4. Ventilation prevents mold and moisture 5. To tub or not to tub 6. Showers should be functional 7. Spacing should be considered 8. Closet Placement Bonus Tips: Lighting is important so think it through Make sure you have enough electrical outlets but also that they are within code The vanity height should be comfortable A timeless style means you won’t have to renovate Flooring should be non-slip Think about smells, noises, and moisture. BEST PRO TIP: this is a large investment, get a pro designer, In the end you will save time and money.

When designing your dream home, there’s one room that is incredibly important. The master bathroom shouldn’t just be where you go to shower it should be a retreat. Having key items and a functional layout is crucial to love your new custom home. Consider the following elements to design your Master Ensuite 1. Think about toilet placement 2. Double sinks are key 3. Storage 4. Ventilation prevents mold and moisture 5. To tub or not to tub 6. Showers should be functional 7. Spacing should be considered 8. Closet Placement Bonus Tips: Lighting is important so think it through Make sure you have enough electrical outlets but also that they are within code The vanity height should be comfortable A timeless style means you won’t have to renovate Flooring should be non-slip Think about smells, noises, and moisture. BEST PRO TIP: this is a large investment, get a pro designer, In the end you will save time and money.

When designing your dream home, there’s one room that is incredibly important. The master bathroom shouldn’t just be where you go to shower it should be a retreat. Having key items and a functional layout is crucial to love your new custom home. Consider the following elements to design your Master Ensuite 1. Think about toilet placement 2. Double sinks are key 3. Storage 4. Ventilation prevents mold and moisture 5. To tub or not to tub 6. Showers should be functional 7. Spacing should be considered 8. Closet Placement Bonus Tips: Lighting is important so think it through Make sure you have enough electrical outlets but also that they are within code The vanity height should be comfortable A timeless style means you won’t have to renovate Flooring should be non-slip Think about smells, noises, and moisture. BEST PRO TIP: this is a large investment, get a pro designer, In the end you will save time and money.

When designing your dream home, there’s one room that is incredibly important. The master bathroom shouldn’t just be where you go to shower it should be a retreat. Having key items and a functional layout is crucial to love your new custom home. Consider the following elements to design your Master Ensuite 1. Think about toilet placement 2. Double sinks are key 3. Storage 4. Ventilation prevents mold and moisture 5. To tub or not to tub 6. Showers should be functional 7. Spacing should be considered 8. Closet Placement Bonus Tips: Lighting is important so think it through Make sure you have enough electrical outlets but also that they are within code The vanity height should be comfortable A timeless style means you won’t have to renovate Flooring should be non-slip Think about smells, noises, and moisture. BEST PRO TIP: this is a large investment, get a pro designer, In the end you will save time and money.

When designing your dream home, there’s one room that is incredibly important. The master bathroom shouldn’t just be where you go to shower it should be a retreat. Having key items and a functional layout is crucial to love your new custom home. Consider the following elements to design your Master Ensuite 1. Think about toilet placement 2. Double sinks are key 3. Storage 4. Ventilation prevents mold and moisture 5. To tub or not to tub 6. Showers should be functional 7. Spacing should be considered 8. Closet Placement Bonus Tips: Lighting is important so think it through Make sure you have enough electrical outlets but also that they are within code The vanity height should be comfortable A timeless style means you won’t have to renovate Flooring should be non-slip Think about smells, noises, and moisture. BEST PRO TIP: this is a large investment, get a pro designer, In the end you will save time and money.

When designing your dream home, there’s one room that is incredibly important. The master bathroom shouldn’t just be where you go to shower it should be a retreat. Having key items and a functional layout is crucial to love your new custom home. Consider the following elements to design your Master Ensuite 1. Think about toilet placement 2. Double sinks are key 3. Storage 4. Ventilation prevents mold and moisture 5. To tub or not to tub 6. Showers should be functional 7. Spacing should be considered 8. Closet Placement Bonus Tips: Lighting is important so think it through Make sure you have enough electrical outlets but also that they are within code The vanity height should be comfortable A timeless style means you won’t have to renovate Flooring should be non-slip Think about smells, noises, and moisture. BEST PRO TIP: this is a large investment, get a pro designer, In the end you will save time and money.

This Riverdale bathroom in Toronto was a major undertaking. Prior to demolition there were several platforms noticed and upon removal it was discovered that most of the plumbing was not to code and needed a major overhaul. The same layout was utilized, but with the exception of making the shower smaller to build a larger closet in the bedroom. The bathroom design involved many contemporary elements included in the straight inlay tile design on the floor and the quartz products used in the shower, tub, and vanity top. The space includes a drop in tub, glass enclosure, and heated Ditra Heat floor.

The Pasadena Showcase House 2014 Master Bathroom, by Designs of the Interior, featuring Walker Zanger's Tangent "Astral Nights" as the floor tile and "Apex" as the wall tile. For more information on Tangent, visit this link: http://walkerzanger.com/collections/products.php?view=mat&mat=Tangent&coll=Tangent