Anyone who has dreamed of knocking out a wall, shrinking a closet, or narrowing a hallway to gain more space for the bathroom appreciates the importance of a quiet, soothing space and the option of a calming bath or refreshing shower. The ideal bathroom feels complete but not decorated and — through color, texture, design, and accessories — can whisk you away as soon as you hear the sound of running water.
Hide and Seat Behold the bath of the future and its first fixture: Julien’s throne-be-gone stainless steel bench toilet ($11,475) by Troy Adams Design. A teak-wood panel cleverly slides to either conceal or reveal the fixture. Featuring a convenient storage drawer, it doubles as a bench when not in use. Pacific Sales, 34295 Monterey Ave., Rancho Mirage, 760-770-5839.
Star Studded - Gold, platinum, iridescent foliage, fossils, and reclaimed glass are only some of the materials Alchemy fuses between two layers of glass to create its one-of-a-kind sinks (call for pricing). The new handcrafted Celestial collection — featuring Aqua Luna and Retro Orbit — showcases a vibrant palette of fragmented colors reminiscent of a meteor shower or the solar system. Bath & Kitchen Elegance, 75105 Merle, Unit 1, Palm Desert, 568-9300; Ferguson Bath & Kitchen Gallery, 36283 Plaza Drive, Cathedral City, 328-6581.
Shine On! - If you haven’t considered starting your day with chromatherapy, one look at the shower of water and colored light falling gracefully from the innovative JACLO Dream Light ($8,500) might get you thinking. A full spray in round, cube, and rectangular droplets rains from the canopy aglow with programmed LED lights in refreshing white, soothing blue, calming amber, motivational red, peaceful green, and warm white. Ferguson Bath & Kitchen Gallery, 36283 Plaza Drive, Cathedral City, 328-6581.
Reach for the Skyy - Vetrazzo countertops come in a fascinating color palette that blends cement with repurposed glass from a variety of unusual sources, including decommissioned traffic lights, windshields, beer and wine bottles, plate glass windows, pickle jars, and art glass. Vetrazzo Cobalt Blue Skyy top-shelf countertops (shown at right) use ethereal vodka bottles to rejuvenate the bath (prices vary). By appointment. Old Fashioned Quality Tile & Stone, 14229 Bessemer St., Van Nuys, (858) 405-6600, [email protected].
Master the Bath - The 600-square-foot open-plan master bathroom with gleaming freestanding tub in this Stan Sackley-designed Canyon Country Club house leads seamlessly into a spa-style dressing room. A partial wall of Ann Sacks concave tile serves as the textural backdrop for this bathing retreat. 320-8488, www.architecturalproperties.net.
Flowers for the Bath - Subtly glamorous, the wall-mounted Atic Flowers cabinet from Sonia (in two sizes from $2,344 with ceramic basin) contrasts dark wood with a tempered-glass door and a swirling serigraph of flowers and leaves. Its glossy black surface catches the light, drawing attention to its pattern. It’s one of several Sonia cabinets featuring “smooth-glide” doors and drawers. (888) 898-6422, www.unicahome.com.
Finding the Pearl - The Miramar vessel sink from Terra Acqua ($1,195) exudes the unabashed luxury of jewels and pearls in its deep bowl and organic form. A captivating iridescence and translucent colors add to its naturally sculptural shape — at once raw and polished. Cut from a single block of stone, the vessel is handcrafted and finished into a bright, gleaming basin. (805) 899-8888, www.terracqua.net.
GOLDEN GLOW - Bill iller designed this powder room around the Juperana granite vanity and amber glass sink. The walls were hand-faux-finished by Las Palmas Painting of Palm Springs in copper metallic tones. 836-9199, www.williammillerdesign.com.
A True Original - The modern Duravit sink and Ann Sacks tile bordering the mirror in this Canyon Country Club house by notable architect Stan Sackley update the bathroom’s original marble countertop and walnut cabinets. 320-8488, www.architecturalproperties.net.
Think Big - Small and odd-sized bathrooms deserve a proper place to soak, and Neptune’s Bora Tub ($1,705) makes the most of tight quarters by giving the perception of more space with its integrated, one-step skirt. B&C Select, 23811 Aliso Creek Road, Suite 102, Laguna Niguel, (949) 362-8160.
Lather Up - Rob and Emilie Hoyt of Palm Springs own the national chain of environmentally friendly skincare boutiques called Lather and a full-service New York City day spa. The bathroom at left reflects their sensibilities. Designer Mark Nichols incorporated Italian porcelain tile with the ECO label (Italy’s “green” seal of approval), high-efficiency fluorescent shower lighting, and a recycled polyester shower curtain. The glass cabinet is from Spanish company Porcelanosa. 864-1747, www.marknicholsinteriors.com.
Hide and Seat - Behold the bath of the future and its first fixture: Julien’s throne-be-gone stainless steel bench toilet ($11,475) by Troy Adams Design. A teak-wood panel cleverly slides to either conceal or reveal the fixture. Featuring a convenient storage drawer, it doubles as a bench when not in use. Pacific Sales, 34295 Monterey Ave., Rancho Mirage, 760-770-5839.
