The home in Newcastle, Wash., was built in 2005 and its primary bathroom was typical of that era – a veritable time capsule of ugly. Unrelenting expanses of square beige tile, drop-in oval basins and boring white cabinets rendered the space forgettable. The step-in tub was an outdated eyesore and the shower was small. Called in to create the bathroom makeover, Seattle designer Emily Ruff of Cohesively Curated Interiors looked to materials for inspiration.
“We started the design process by selecting the slabs – Calacatta Gold marble – since they were going to be such a prominent part of the design,” said Ruff. “It was a great place to begin. Since natural stone is always unique, we based our decisions about other design elements on the colors in the slabs.”
Veining in the stone dictated that the faucets, fittings and light fixtures be finished in a soft gold tone. The warm hue also influenced the choice of wood for the vanities, where the rich walnut is accented by gold hardware. The floor is a reclaimed limestone paver that takes its cue from the grays in the marble.
Beyond the color palette, the bath makeover speaks to the personal style of the homeowners, with the sculptural soaking tub and the fluted-front cabinets making bold statements. Ruff managed to keep all the fixtures and water lines in their original locations, saving on budget while splurging on style.
—By Leslie Clagett, KBB managing editor
