8 Beautifully Different Tub Materials for Bath-Time Luxury

Who made up the rule that bathtubs have to be white? If you love a good soak, make your bathtub the standout feature on your own bathroom. A marble, metal, wood or glass bathtub makes an instantaneous design statement and is truly a luxurious place for a bubble bath.

Take a peek at those eight stunning tubs to obtain an idea about what an unbelievable bathtub can do for your space, regardless of your design style.

Abramson Teiger Architects

Wood. Wooden baths, usually made from waterproofed marine wood, include unexpected warmth to stone and tile bathrooms. This rectangular bathtub works well with an Asian-influenced design, but I love that it may feel classic, too.

Saint Dizier Design

Copper. Copper’s durability and natural patina have led to its significant comeback in the last decade. This oval bathtub allows the material’s understated luxuriousness to shine. Inspired by black river stone, the mirrored aluminum tub is perfect for this particular bathroom’s indoor-outdoor feel.

Inc, workman interior design

Marble. Although marble is often thought of as a traditional material, this freestanding white marble bathtub has a distinctly modern look. The circular design flows with the curved exterior wall of the bathroom. The round shapes contrast well with all the angles around flooring and the doors.

Stern McCafferty

Glass. Take your toilet to a whole new level using a low glass panel that comprises the water. Tiled walls and floors and a safe glass setup make it totally waterproof and amazingly sturdy.

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Diamond Spas

Stainless steel. This slick oval soaking tub provides the toilet an industrial shine. Although stainless steel durability and easy maintenance are huge pluses, homeowners may also appreciate how the alloy helps bathwater remain warmer longer.

James Cleary Architecture

Barrel. This oval teak bathtub looks exactly like a wine barrel but a little more luxe. The elongated design makes it extra comfy; this bath could even host more than one bather at one time.

studiotrope Design Collective

Sunken. Construct your bathtub in your bathroom floor by sinking it into under floor level. This bath is formed from concrete, then tiled for aesthetics and comfort. This can save you the frustration of installing a bathtub while offering you the benefits of a built-in feature — such as the corner seat and measure here.

Rock. Want to really go all natural? This bathtub was carved entirely out of a boulder. An installment such as this is completely incredible but clearly expensive (and could cause some difficulties with flooring support). If you love the look, you can purchase a similar-style acrylic version for a fraction of the purchase price.

More: 19 Dream Tubs for Bath Lovers

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6 Lessons From Bathrooms in Scale

How we mix objects of different dimensions, masses, proportions and patterns — in other words, how we work with scale — is still a big part of good design. Architects and designers use scale to make balance and interest, and taking it into account leads to good design in the tiniest rooms of a home. To find out what I mean, take a look at the lessons in scale out of those six baths.

Dick Clark + Associates

1. Use comparable shapes in different sizes. Using similar shapes — rectangles and squares or circles and hexagons, such as — in different sizes can add interest and subtly draw the eye around the space.

Unlike most baths, where rectangular and square tiles have an important presence, this bath has round elements — hexagonal tiles, round mirrors and round floor mats — which make an environment that is both fun and minimalist.

The white hexagonal tiles on the walls, floors and bathroom vanity create the space feel large and bright.

LeichtUSA

2. Play with one main material. Selecting one main material on your toilet’s palette will help harmonize the elements, creating a visual flow that is easy on the eyes.

Here is a clear example of how using one main material generates a calm feeling. The large 12-by-24 tile lessens the amount of grout lines, adding to the toilet’s expansive feel. Along with the simplicity of one substance makes it possible for the art in the area — the silver steer head — to have an actual presence.

Panageries

3. Vary shapes and the sizes of furnishings and materials. Transitioning between dimensions of furniture and materials connects various areas of the space in another way.

There are lots of good examples of scale in this timeless toilet. There’s a wonderful transition from scale from floor to ceiling, with the little basket weave tiles onto the floor, the medium subway tiles for the wainscoting and the massive drywall that leads to the ceiling.

The leaded window design relates in pattern and proportion to the basket weave floor tile. And because the ceilings are quite high, I really like this tall wooden chest next to the cast iron tub. It helps connect the space from floor to ceiling.

Copper Brook

4. Create collections. Using grouped objects at precisely the same scale adds variety and rhythm to layouts. Do not overlook the connection between wall sconces and the vanity in the bathroom.

Because this vanity’s mirror is as broad as the vanity, the lighting over the mirror needed to span the same width. Instead of adding one large flat light fixture, this designer utilized a collection of three sconces over the mirror, creating a wonderful rhythm and tapping into the power of three.

Northworks Architects and Planners

5. When working with one substance, use it in different sizes. The floor and window-wall planks in this wonderful barn bathroom are one size, the vanity-wall planks are thinner, as well as the ceiling planks between the rafters are nevertheless another size.

Employing the same substance in a variety of sizes — one way of working with scale — made this toilet simply beautiful.

Alair Homes Forest Hill

6. Use varying shapes. On occasion the use of the same shape can create harmony in a place, and sometimes the usage of different shapes can create a comparison is effective.

In this creative bathroom, little white floor tiles contrast well with 4-by-4 glistening black ceramic wall tiles. The black and white palette allows the wall mural to create its announcement.

Are you playing with scale recently? We would really like to find out what you’ve done.

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10 Soaking Tubs for Bathing Bliss

In Japan bathing rituals are a very early and important part of life. Traditionally you clean yourself in a bathtub or padded hand bath and become an ofuro filled with clean, steaming water for a pleasant, hot beverage.

Consider the ofuro soaking tub as the prototype of the modern-day hot tub, only cleaner, without chemicals and with fresh water every time. Originally these heavy (about 27 inches) soaking baths are made from hinoki wood, but as these examples show, they come in all sorts of substances — from metal to cement — and are designed to match any design style.

Step-Down Tubs

there’s something really luxurious and spa-like about stepping down into a tub flush with the ground. This tub is large enough for a small group, but many ofuros are just large enough for one. See the hand shower on the left side.

Coates Design Architects Seattle

Setting this tub into the ground allowed for a floor-to-ceiling view without any obstruction. Best for this long, narrow space.

Harrell Remodeling, Inc..

Wooden Ofuros

A conventional wood box-style ofuro. This bathroom is a real-deal personal spa, complete with sauna.

Abramson Teiger Architects

This deep wooden tub has a more familiar rectangle shape. I adore the appearance of this hot wood tub next to the more intricately patterned tiles. Start looking for similar custom made and conventional wooden bathtubs.

Superior Woodcraft, Inc..

Another wooden tub. It’s like a piece of artwork.

Arkin Tilt Architects

Step-Up Tubs

Raised baths with small stairs leading up to them nearly have a throne-like feel. This one has a wooden frame with an insert. Depending on what style surround you decide on, this is the more economical way to go. Many mainstream manufacturers make similar tubs.

Empire Development & Construction

Another insert having a wooden frame around it. The room has an extremely contemporary Japanese sense but isn’t too theme-y.

Ehrenclou Architects

A tiled ofuro with built in storage. The appearance doesn’t need to be Japanese even if the notion is.

kimberly peck architect

This stark blue glass-tile bathroom with a built-in soaking tub has a clinical appearance, as though you can actually get healthier by bathing.

Claudia Leccacorvi

Firms like Kohler make porcelain soaking baths like this. The substance to the surround is your decision.

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Talk: Frameless Showers Get Display of Support

Frameless shower doors convey a clean, modern feel and are, well, sort of sexy. Here are 12 reasons why you should consider installing one in your property.

Amoroso Design

Divide and conquer. “Given that the layout for this toilet placed the shower in the center of the space, together with the vanities on each side, a frameless glass enclosure was the best approach to keep the space open and airy,” says Shelly Amoroso of Amoroso Design. “I understand the need for a few to have separate vanities, but hey, you’d miss a whole lot of amusing banter and together time if you could not find each other”

The Sky is the Limit Design

Turn toward the light. “I changed the layout of the bathroom quite a bit by turning the shower space 90 degrees from its place on the wall to sitting under the window,” says Ines Hanl of The Sky is the Limit Design. “That had a huge influence on the visual aspect of the space. All of a sudden, a somewhat dark, train-compartment-like room became somewhat grand in appearance, and also we did not even need to enlarge the window. And the grey stone is balanced with lots of openess and light”

She adds, “The color scheme was driven by the client, who had spent a summer in Rome and wanted stone in shades of grey. The silver slate has a gorgeous shimmer to it, and I was able to combine lots of different patterns. The ginormous showerhead is a favorite with the whole family”

Hanl did believe “frosting the glass for solitude, but after quite an extreme deliberation, we elected from this because it’d have enclosed the space too much.”

The Sky is the Limit Design

Get the balance right. “This really is really a steam shower, which is why the ceiling is tiled and weathered, the glass goes all of the way up into the ceiling and there is a hinged panel that may be cranked open,” says Ines Hanl. “The shower has white Thassos marble on the walls and a black marble mosaic on the floor, each of which can be inspired by the color scheme in the remainder of the toilet– black and white marble mosaic for the floor and black-stained cherry cabinetry”

She adds, “This bathroom is in a house where there is a more modern-inclined husband and a traditional-favoring wife. To keep things balanced, the shower also got a little more of a diminished treatment”

Murdock Solon Architects

Contrast modern and rustic. “This bathroom was a part of a renovation in what was originally an old stone gatehouse,” says Kelly Solon of Murdock Solon Architects. “We’re trying to insert a clean, modern design into a very rustic and visually significant atmosphere. The frameless enclosure provide a light and airy texture, as well as a comparison to the other materials in the area”

Divine Design+Build

Show off your tilework. “We love to utilize frameless shower doors for a couple of reasons,” says Mariette Barsoum of Divine Kitchens. “Having a frameless door, there is no visual separation, making the space larger. Additionally, unlike framed doorways, they do not conceal the gorgeous tilework in the shower. Frameless doors also sport a cleaner, more modern look — and we enjoy this.”

Studio On Cedar LLC

Make a small room feel larger. “I had been inspired by the frame of the house and its secluded and forestlike surroundings,” says Kimberly Arnold Fletcher of Spectrum Design Group. “My aim was to make an open texture and bring the outdoors to the master bathroom. The frameless door enabled me to not only offer a transparent look that mirrors the dividers added into the space, but in addition, it made a very small room feel larger and more spacious.”

Bring in natural light. “A frameless shower gives the illusion of openness. The metal, the less you notice that a wall is dividing the space,” says Alison Causer of Alison Causer Design. “In this master bath I actually wanted the natural lighting to reach every corner of this space. Since we used dim, natural stone on all four partitions, we actually needed to maintain the light shifting around the space.”

She adds, “We also installed a skylight in the shower, which combined with the frameless shower really helps convey an open feeling.”

Maximize the view. “This house has a classy and subdued palette with walnut casework throughout,” says Kerry Ellis of Benning Design Associates. “It also has stunning views, which is why we chose to maintain the master bath , and shower, so open.”

Jamie Herzlinger

Move for an elegant look. “The inspiration for this particular bathroom was elegant glamour,” says Jamie Herzlinger of Jamie Herzlinger Design. “The easiest way to acquire elegance in your toilet is using a frameless shower, because it keeps the look clean and sleek.”

Webber + Studio, Architects

Embrace minimalism. “We’re seeking to get the colors of this limestone tile bounce light around the room and to use few if any noticeable details, in keeping with our firm’s philosophy of adopting minimalism,” says David Webber of Webber + Studio Architects.

“In my view,” he adds, “the shower glass is really not minimal. The original design was to allow the glass to be slid to a recessed slotmachine, which is exactly what I would have preferred. However, the shower’s framing did not allow us to recess the hardware, so we went with a surface mount instead.”

Justine Sterling Design

Infuse a sense of calm. “I had been inspired by the tranquil river and landscape surrounding this house to make a peaceful sanctuary that attracted the outside in,” says Justine Sterling of Justine Sterling Design. “The frameless shower layout was key in creating openness, transparency and a sense of calm.”

Nora Schneider Interior Design

Invite nature to be your guest. “This master bath is in a summer house on a lake, and the rear of the house faces the woods,” says Nora Schneider of Nora Schneider Interior Design. “The shower faces an entire walls of windows overlooking the woods, and I wished to invite nature in as an evergreen guest”

“The shower tile resembles bamboo, and the glass floor tile echoes the look of sand. The willingness of the entire house is supposed to invite nature in, so a framless shower was the obvious choice.”

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Now Featuring … That the Toilet!

We hide the bathroom behind counters, half-walls and privacy glass, and even close it up at a tiny little space all its own. When we can not hide it, we attempt to disguise it beneath fluffy pink seat and tank covers — ugh!

However, what if we took another approach and attribute it rather? Plunking a candle at the surface of the tank and slapping a tiny picture of seashells over it just will not cut it. I am speaking about carrying through precisely the same flair for design which you employ to the rest of your toilet. Listed below are 19 beautifully designed spaces for the bathroom.

Pepe Calderin Design- Modern Interior Design

When choosing where to place a stunning tile mosaic, why don’t you think about the wall from the bathroom? This ultracontemporary and minimalist bathroom style is the perfect foil to the exuberant dance of colors in the mosaic.

orit galili

The bold, red tile behind this modern wall-mounted bathroom takes attention to this area and generates artistic interest. So often, a toilet has beautiful tile around the dressing table and shower, but it completely fizzles from the bathroom area. However, this designer transported the subject all the way through this toilet, end up with a complete and balanced look.

HRD mimarlık

Employing accent tile and a minimalist wall-mounted toilet is a terrific way to create a feature instead of an eyesore.

Tip: Square toilets are no issue for some and very uncomfortable for many others. I find it is not the right front edge that’s the issue. In the end, we sit on dining seats with a front edge all the time. Instead, I think it is how sharp the corner over the edge is. So, if you’re considering one of them, for the love of Pete put on some shorts and sit before you buy it!

Barker O’Donoghue Master Builders

Toilets come in all shapes and styles, so select one which matches your space. This tall, slim one is great for its tall, slim niche.

A box-shape wall-mounted bathroom looks similar to a minibench compared to a bathroom. The feel of the tile on the accent wall is a real attention grabber, and niches over the bathroom in exactly the same width tie it into as part of the plan element.

Elad Gonen

The accent tile heads across the ground and wraps up the wall for a solid architectural look. I believe the smooth, round shape of the bathroom is a nice contrast to the straight lines in the rest of the bathroom. The bathroom is based at the most powerful design element inside the room.

Laura Burton Interiors

Wall-mounted toilets are not the only ones which work nicely as a design component. This model sits on the ground, but its simple cylindrical shape gives it the look of a stool. This bathroom does have a market solely for the bathroom, but the style of the bathroom and the pretty mirror elevate it to the status of a throne room. Sorry, could not resist the pun.

HERMOGENO DESIGNS

Another bathroom market is treated to a beautiful accent wall at the back and a pendant lamp over. Adding some nice art makes a pleasant environment. And why don’t you? You may be here for a while.

Andre Couture Coloriste Decorateur

I really like that the designer chosen an attractively curved one-piece bathroom like the form of the base sink. The strong lines of the shelf holding the stunning botanical structure match the expression of the mirror frame. It is a really integrated design.

Savio & Rupa Interior Concepts (Bangalore)

In this spacious wet-room-style toilet, the custom made tile behind the bathroom produces a strong focal point for the space.

Mark English Architects, AIA

This whole bathroom is gorgeous! See several views of it. However, I feel the designer pulled all the stops from the area inhabited by the wall-mounted toilet and bidet. This live-edge wood floor meeting up with all the tile is so beautiful, I can barely take my eyes from it.

Kirsten Marie Inc, KMI

In this space, notice how the base of the bathroom and the cap of the tank seem very much like the molding inside the room. This traditional style is ideal for this bathroom’s décor. The wall market with decorative accents and an orchid make a beautiful sight.

Melissa Miranda Interior Design

And also this squared-off tank works nicely with the squared form of the integrated sink and counter tops. It is also quite modern, just appropriate for the style of this toilet.

Chronicle Books

The golden colour of the exposed plumbing on this bathroom is ideal for the conventional style of the decorative metalwork on the wall and other accents in the room.

LGS Designs,llc.

I just can not envision a much better choice for the style and colour of this toilet when it’s paired with this stunning rock pedestal sink.

Tracy Stone AIA

This gleaming stainless bathroom is a real standout from the timber walls and flooring.

The matte black colour of this toilet and bidet is ideal from the matte black-tile accent wall.

Peter Tow

Choosing a low-slung one-piece bathroom exactly the same elevation as the tub prevents it from breaking the strong horizontal line produced by the bathtub and its own reflection from the mirror behind the bathroom.

Gauhar ZH

What can be more Zen than the egg contours of the toilet and bidet in this minimalist toilet? I believe they do much more than just complement the style of the space — they set it.

More:
Get Floored by Creative Use of Tile

Bathroom Storage: Where to Maintain the T.P.

9 Ways to Make a Not-So-Standard Bathroom

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8 Methods to Design a Better Shower

We went off for a long weekend and stayed at a wonderful condo with a view of the Gulf of Mexico. However, as fine as the condo is, the shower layout left lots to be desired. The controls were put in the wrong location, the shower head was set too low to get a taller person, the clunky glass door was all wobbly and unattractive, there wasn’t a location for soap and shampoo, and more. Thus taking a shower wasn’t enjoyable in any way.

What bothered me most about this was, with just a little forethought and no extra price, the shower may have been quite great. There was considerable space and a lot of natural lighting in the bathroom. My guess is that the shower wasn’t nicer simply because the builder and designer did not consider the shower in any way.

Here are 8 tips on how best to prevent this when you choose to remodel your bathroom.

Jamie Herzlinger

1. Right sizing. I hate showers that are too small and therefore are claustrophobic. When we were children, it is like those showers in summer camp. For if I was 10 but not now, Fine. So to get the best size I will ask customers to stand with their arms outstretched and then turn into a circle. This circle will be the minimum size shower the client will want. If you have the area, a good rule of thumb to follow is that the shower ought to be a minimum of 60″ by 36″. Of course the shower can get larger as we include things such as a bench or other feature.

ASID, Christopher A Rose AIA

2. A simple reach to the controls. Another pet peeve is when the shower controls are placed such that I have to walk in the shower to turn the water off or on. That initial burst of ice cold water getting me wet is something we could all do without. Setting the controls at a place that is can be obtained from outside the shower area is simple and well worth the few feet of extra piping.

Andre Rothblatt Architecture

3. Bench. Whether this is a place to sit down and relax (especially if it’s at a steam shower) or a prop that enables you to easily shave your legs, benches are essential elements of a well designed tub. This bench, set where the is the least ceiling height, which makes the shower even more usable and fun.

ZeroEnergy Design

And, lest we forget, shower seats could be fun.

John Lum Architecture, Inc.. AIA

Shower benches can also be made to fold to be from the way too.

Bill Fry Construction – Wm. H. Fry Const. Co..

4. A location for soap and shampoo. A small, recess from the shower wall with a shelf or two works magic when there are numerous bottles of shampoo, conditioner, conditioner and more. Size the niche to accommodate the tallest bottle you’ll use and be sure that you slope the shelf towards the shower to allow it to shed water easily.

MN Builders

5. A deluge of shower heads. From the conventional, wall mounted head into a rain head to body sprays to hand held showers, there’s an amazing wealth of shower heads available today. Just make sure that there’s enough hot water and water pressure to accommodate all of these. Definitely a tankless hot water heater near a shower like this can come in handy once the showering goes for awhile.

Gelotte Hommas Architecture

Or if the handhelds are in conflict.

6. Keep it glowing with natural lighting. Showers don’t have to be in the darkest corner of the bathroom. But when they are, put in the distance to brighten up.

Bud Dietrich, AIA

And use a glass door the light filters into the bathroom.

Neiman Taber Architects

Or just a skylight when there’s no window.

John Lum Architecture, Inc.. AIA

7. Consider an open shower. You desire another shower and bathtub but you simply have a narrow, tight area. Consider an “open shower” that puts the bathtub after the shower, as revealed here.

John Lum Architecture, Inc.. AIA

8. Go curbless. A curbless shower is not only for those with difficulty getting around. A curbless shower can turn the whole toilet into a showering room.

More shower layout inspiration:
Your Shower: Make Room for a Bench
Step Into a Refreshing Outdoor Shower
The No-Threshold Shower: Access With Style

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