Henry and Nick have been renovating their massive three-storey Victorian house since moving in four years ago. They started at the bottom and worked their way up, but were baffled when they got to the final room: an awkwardly-shaped master bathroom that was anything but functional.
The third-floor space was cramped and outdated, and the guys were desperate to turn it into a modern-day "gentleman's club."
Recently, Nick was diagnosed with diabetes and told to commence an exercise regimen. It was then the project took on greater urgency and I was called in to help. Now they not only wanted a new bathroom, they wanted a workout area to help Nick maintain a healthy lifestyle.
As it stood, the bathroom was chopped up into three separate spaces: a toilet/tub/shower space, a storage closet and a sunroom. So the first order of the day was to gut the maze of small rooms, pull out all of the old fixtures and start from scratch. Once this was accomplished, I was left with a huge, open space, which I painted in a crisp, neutral shade. I then put down clean white tiles over the top of radiant heating pads on the floor.
A maze of tiny rooms, below, was cleared out to create this open master bathroom. (PHOTOS BY BRANDON BARRÉ)
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Next came the task of installing state-of-the-art bathroom fixtures. I put in a gorgeous soaker tub — complete with a waterproof LCD television and remote control — and tiled the wall surrounding the television in a beautiful white and dark taupe mosaic tile.
For a little something extra, I flanked the tub with gorgeous dark wood bookcases. I also installed a new toilet and a barrier-free shower stall with multiple body sprays, an overhead rain shower and a handheld showerhead.
On the wall across from the shower, I put up a chic double vanity with dark wood cabinetry topped with a white quartz countertop. I then put up two very tall mirrors and two modern, polished stainless-steel basins with funky wall-mounted spout faucets.
This bathroom was not just about relaxation, however. It needed a workout component to help get Nick moving. To that end, I put in a low-impact elliptical trainer with a heart monitoring system. The machine, from which there is a good view of the television, sits beside new sliding glass doors with white linen curtains.
The doors will eventually lead out to a new deck.
I also created a dressing room adjacent to the bathroom that would make any fashionista giddy. For the ultimate in organization, I put in a stunning dark wood storage system complete with shelves, drawers, clothes racks, a built-in ironing board and a washer and dryer.
To lighten up the room, I put up a chrome-disc chandelier over the tub and four sconces over the vanity. Then it was time for a few final finishes — a heated towel rack, some fluffy robes, and some spa-like amenities — and the space was complete.
By using masculine finishes, modern fixtures and space-saving techniques, this bathroom got a men's club-inspired makeover that blends serenity with functionality. It's a bathroom and workout space in which any guy would be proud to flex his muscles. How divine!
Interior design consultant Candice Olson is the host of Divine Design on the W Network. For more information, go to www.wnetwork.com/divinedesign or www.divinedesign.tv
