Relocating from their home in Brisbane, Australia with ocean views to the Pacific, our clients envisioned a refresh for their new lakefront cottage on Pine Lake in West Bloomfield, Michigan. Completed in July 2024, we created new spaces, reimagined old ones, and even swapped places for a primary bedroom and its en suite bath. Our goal was to create a serene and soothing spa- like experience for the bathroom, all while maintaining gorgeous lake views. But this reconfiguration presented some challenges. The primary bedroom was oversized, while its adjacent bath was tiny and crowded. We completely flipped the locations of the bedroom and bathroom, even rerouting plumbing over the bar in the lower level to accommodate the freestanding tub. To maximize space, we designed large, walk-in dressing pantries that are as functional as they are beautiful, and lead to the large dual custom vanity. The vanity itself is freestanding to provide access for hand towel bath hardware on its sides. The his-and-hers unit contains built-in dividers, laundry hampers and trash pullouts to maximize its function. An enclosed water closet allows for privacy in the open concept bathroom, and is placed beyond the cabinetry. The star of this space is the large enclosed wet room. As the focal point of the bathroom, its oversized tiled walls and deep built-in bench allow for a steam or soaking in the tub while enjoying stunning lake views. The wet room is spacious and serene, and perfect for an end to a Michigan winter day.

brett zamore design
Trendy blue tile and ceramic tile drop-in bathtub photo in Houston with an undermount sink, a one-piece toilet, flat-panel cabinets, beige cabinets and marble countertops

William Quarles
Freestanding bathtub - large transitional master gray tile and stone tile porcelain tile and beige floor freestanding bathtub idea in Charleston with recessed-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, beige walls, a vessel sink and a hinged shower door

Example of a transitional master marble floor bathroom design in Atlanta with black cabinets, marble countertops and recessed-panel cabinets

The primary bathroom features a vintage clawfoot tub that was re-glazed to it's former glory. An oversized niche is very convenient a romantic night with wine and candles. Oversized porcelain tile was used instead of marble for easy maintenance. A brass wall mounted faucet has an additional hand-held feature for hair washing and tub clean-up. The over-sizes shower is surrounded with a door-less glass enclosure.

The bathroom not only accommodates family and friends for game days but also has an oversized shower for overnight guests. White subway tile, restoration fixtures, and a chunky steel and marble vanity complement the urban styling in the adjacent rooms.

Small trendy 3/4 white tile and subway tile alcove shower photo in Los Angeles with flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, a two-piece toilet, white walls, a vessel sink, solid surface countertops and white countertops

AV Architects + Builders Location: McLean, VA, USA Hill House is situated in the heart of McLean, VA in a well-established neighborhood. This unique site is perfect for this modern house design because it sits at the top of a hill and has a grand view of the landscape. We have designed a home that feels like a retreat but offers all the amenities a family needs to keep up with the fast pace of Northern VA. The house offers over 8,200 sqft of luxury living area on three finished levels. The main level is an open-concept floor plan designed to entertain. The central area is the great room and the kitchen separated by a two-sided fireplace, but it’s surrounded by a very generous dining room, a study with custom built-ins and an outdoor covered patio with another gas fireplace. We also have a functional mudroom with a powder room right-off the 3-car garage with plenty of storage. The open stair case anchors the front elevation of the home to the front porch and the site. The second level offers a master suite with an expansive custom his/her walk-in closet, a master bath with a curb less shower area, a free-standing soaking tub and his/her vanities. Additionally, this level has 4 generously sized en-suite bedrooms with full baths and walk-in closets and a full size laundry room with lots of storage. The lower level has a guest en-suite bedroom with a full bathroom and walk-in closet. It also has a rec room with a glass enclosed wine cellar to display your favorite wine collection. We have added a large exercise room, a media room fully wired, a full bath and lots of storage space. The materials used for the home are of the highest quality. From the aluminum clad oversized windows, to the unique roofing structure, the Nichiha rectangular siding and stacked veneer stone, we have hand-picked materials that stand the test of time and complement the modern design of the home. In total this 8200 sqft home has 6 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms, 2 half-baths and a 3-car garage. Todd Smith Photography

Photos by Shelly Harrison
Bathroom - transitional bathroom idea in Boston

This beautiful Northwest traditional Master bathroom invites you into luxury while you enjoy an incredible view of Lake Sammamish and the Pacific Northwest landscape. The spacious granite countertops and storage at the vanity provide both beauty and functionality, while the lovely freestanding soaking tub and built-in dressing table are tucked comfortably into a nook that features a trio of windows and flanked by a pair of regal columns. The oversized shower features a custom made rounded glass enclosure with lovely subdued tile gives the bathroom a light, spa-like feeling, allowing your eye to be drawn to the custom features and overall space.

This project was a primary suite remodel that we began pre-pandemic. The primary bedroom was an addition to this waterfront home and we added character with bold board-and-batten statement wall, rich natural textures, and brushed metals. The primary bathroom received a custom white oak vanity that spanned over nine feet long, brass and matte black finishes, and an oversized steam shower in Zellige-inspired tile.

Juli
Huge trendy master beige tile and ceramic tile freestanding bathtub photo in Denver with gray walls, an undermount sink and granite countertops

Drop-in bathtub - country white tile white floor drop-in bathtub idea in Chicago with recessed-panel cabinets, black cabinets, white walls, an undermount sink, a hinged shower door and white countertops

  Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   Lakefront property in the northwest suburbs of Chicago is hard to come by, so when we were hired by this young family with exactly that, we were immediately inspired by not just the unusually large footprint of this 1950’s colonial revival but also the lovely views of the manmade lake it was sited on. The large 5-bedroom home was solidly stuck in the 1980’s, but we saw tons of potential. We started out by updating the existing staircase with a fresh coat of paint and adding new herringbone slate to the entry hall. The powder room off the entryway also got a refresh - new flooring, new cabinets and fixtures. We ran the new slate right through into this space for some consistency. A fun wallpaper and shiplap trim add a welcoming feel and set the tone for the home. Next, we tackled the kitchen. Located away from the rest of the first floor, the kitchen felt a little isolated, so we immediately began planning for how to better connect it to the rest of the first floor. We landed on removing the wall between the kitchen and dining room and designed a modified galley style space with separate cooking and clean up zones. The cooking zone consists of the refrigerator, prep sink and cooktop, along with a nice long run of prep space at the island. The cleanup side of the kitchen consists of the main sink and dishwasher. Both areas are situated so that the user can view the lake during prep work and cleanup! One of the home’s main puzzles was how to incorporate the mudroom and area in front of the patio doors at the back of the house. We already had a breakfast table area, so the space by the patio doors was a bit of a no man’s land. We decided to separate the kitchen proper from what became the new mudroom with a large set of barn doors. That way you can quickly hide any mudroom messes but have easy access to the light coming in through the patio doors as well as the outdoor grilling station. We also love the impact the barn doors add to the overall space. The homeowners’ first words to us were “it’s time to ditch the brown,” so we did! We chose a lovely blue pallet that reflects the home’s location on the lake which is also vibrant yet easy on the eye. Countertops are white quartz, and the natural oak floor works well with the other honey accents. The breakfast table was given a refresh with new chairs, chandelier and window treatments that frame the gorgeous views of the lake out the back. We coordinated the slate mudroom flooring with that used in the home’s main entrance for a consistent feel. The storage area consists of open and closed storage to allow for some clutter control as needed. Next on our “to do” list was revamping the dated brown bar area in the neighboring dining room. We eliminated the clutter by adding some closed cabinets and did some easy updates to help the space feel more current. One snag we ran into here was the discovery of a beam above the existing open shelving that had to be modified with a smaller structural beam to allow for our new design to work. This was an unexpected surprise, but in the end we think it was well worth it! We kept the colors here a bit more muted to blend with the homeowner’s existing furnishings. Open shelving and polished nickel hardware add some simple detail to the new entertainment zone which also looks out onto the lake! Next we tackled the upstairs starting with the homeowner’s son’s bath. The bath originally had both a tub shower and a separate shower, so we decided to swap out the shower for a new laundry area. This freed up some space downstairs in what used to be the mudroom/laundry room and is much more convenient for daily laundry needs. We continued the blue palette here with navy cabinetry and the navy tile in the shower. Porcelain floor tile and chrome fixtures keep maintenance to a minimum while matte black mirrors and lighting add some depth the design. A low maintenance runner adds some warmth underfoot and ties the whole space together. We added a pocket door to the bathroom to minimize interference with the door swings. The left door of the laundry closet is on a 180 degree hinge to allow for easy full access to the machines. Next we tackled the master bath which is an en suite arrangement. The original was typical of the 1980’s with the vanity outside of the bathroom, situated near the master closet. And the brown theme continued here with multiple shades of brown. Our first move was to segment off the bath and the closet from the master bedroom. We created a short hall from the bedroom to the bathroom with his and hers walk-in closets on the left and right as well as a separate toilet closet outside of the main bathroom for privacy and flexibility. The original bathroom had a giant soaking tub with steps (dangerous!) as well as a small shower that did not work well for our homeowner who is 6’3”. With other bathtubs in the home, they decided to eliminate the tub and create an oversized shower which takes up the space where the old tub was located. The double vanity is on the opposite wall and a bench is located under the window for morning conversations and a place to set a couple of towels. The pallet in here is light and airy with a mix of blond wood, creamy porcelain and marble tile, and brass accents. A simple roman shade adds some texture and it’s top-down mechanism allows for light and privacy. This large whole house remodel gave our homeowners not only the ability to maximize the potential of their home but also created a lovely new frame from which to view their fabulous lake views. 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

The Oddingsells House master bath previously featured an oversized jetted tub that overwhelmed the small shower and vanity space. These outdated components were removed to enlarge the space and accommodate a new glass-walled shower, custom vanity with an engineered quartz countertop, and porcelain tile, all chosen to complement the historical features of the home. Photography by Atlantic Archives

Mark Lohman Photography
Large beach style master blue tile and subway tile porcelain tile and white floor freestanding bathtub photo in Orange County with an undermount sink, beige cabinets, blue walls, shaker cabinets, a two-piece toilet, onyx countertops, a hinged shower door and multicolored countertops

Just like a fading movie star, this master bathroom had lost its glamorous luster and was in dire need of new look. Gone are the old "Hollywood style make up lights and black vanity" replaced with freestanding vanity furniture and mirrors framed by crystal tipped sconces. A soft and serene gray and white color scheme creates Thymeless elegance with subtle colors and materials. Urban gray vanities with Carrara marble tops float against a tiled wall of large format subway tile with a darker gray porcelain “marble” tile accent. Recessed medicine cabinets provide extra storage for this “his and hers” design. A lowered dressing table and adjustable mirror provides seating for “hair and makeup” matters. A fun and furry poof brings a funky edge to the space designed for a young couple looking for design flair. The angular design of the Brizo faucet collection continues the transitional feel of the space. The freestanding tub by Oceania features a slim design detail which compliments the design theme of elegance. The tub filler was placed in a raised platform perfect for accessories or the occasional bottle of champagne. The tub space is defined by a mosaic tile which is the companion tile to the main floor tile. The detail is repeated on the shower floor. The oversized shower features a large bench seat, rain head shower, handheld multifunction shower head, temperature and pressure balanced shower controls and recessed niche to tuck bottles out of sight. The 2-sided glass enclosure enlarges the feel of both the shower and the entire bathroom.

Example of a transitional gray tile gray floor alcove shower design with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, an undermount sink, a hinged shower door, gray countertops and a freestanding vanity

Custom built by DCAM HOMES, one of Oakville’s most reputable builders. South of Lakeshore and steps to the lake, this newly built modern custom home features over 3,200 square feet of stylish living space in a prime location! This stunning home provides large principal rooms that flow seamlessly from one another. The open concept design features soaring 24-foot ceilings with floor to ceiling windows flooding the space with natural light. A home office is located off the entrance foyer creating a private oasis away from the main living area. The double storey ceiling in the family room automatically draws your eyes towards the open riser wood staircase, an architectural delight. This space also features an extra wide, 74” fireplace for everyone to enjoy. The thoughtfully designed chef’s kitchen was imported from Italy. An oversized island is the center focus of this room. Other highlights include top of the line built-in Miele appliances and gorgeous two-toned touch latch custom cabinetry. With everyday convenience in mind - the mudroom, with access from the garage, is the perfect place for your family to “drop everything”. This space has built-in cabinets galore – providing endless storage. Upstairs the master bedroom features a modern layout with open concept spa-like master ensuite features shower with body jets and steam shower stand-alone tub and stunning master vanity. This master suite also features beautiful corner windows and custom built-in wardrobes. The second and third bedroom also feature custom wardrobes and share a convenient jack-and-jill bathroom. Laundry is also found on this level. Beautiful outdoor areas expand your living space – surrounded by mature trees and a private fence, this will be the perfect end of day retreat! This home was designed with both style and function in mind to create both a warm and inviting living space.