Before she could transform a chilly, cavernous bath into a welcoming spa retreat, designer Tina Klucsik, CKBD, of Doylestown, Pa.-based Lyons-Archer Kitchen and Interior Design had to resolve a number of issues that made the space at times literally uninhabitable.
Above: In the rejuvenated bath, new cabinets with toe kick heaters help bring warmth where it’s needed and a hydroponic floor heating system extends into the shower. Photo: Diana Lang Photography
The room’s 12-ft. sloped ceilings funneled heat upward. The tub was situated next to a drafty window. Baseboard heaters dating from the 1980s were inadequate. In the winter, the room was so frigid that shampoo froze and the shower was rendered unusable.
Klucsik began with the envelope, increasing wall and ceiling insulation. She upgraded the window for energy efficiency and aesthetics. In some sections of the room, heaters were relocated away from the wall and incorporated into toe kicks, discreetly distributing heat more evenly.
The shower was moved to an interior wall. Its floor, along with the rest of the bathroom’s floor, is warmed by a hydroponic heat system.
With the bathroom no longer the equivalent of a walk-in refrigerator, the homeowners can enjoy the elegant new ambiance – at any time of year.
Sources for Converting a Cold Bathroom Into a Spa Space
Design: Tina Klucsik, CKBD, RIDCQ, WFCP Lyons-Archer Kitchen and Interior Design Photography: Diana Lang Photography Cabinets: Artizen Cabinetry Cabinet Hardware: Top Knobs Faucets, Tub Filler: Brizo Heated Floor System: Danfoss Lighting: Restoration Hardware (sconces), Metropolitan (chandelier) Mirror: Restoration Hardware Sinks: Kohler Tile: Metal Elements (sink backsplash), Happy Floors (shower), Crossville (floor) Toilet: American Standard Tub: Fleurco Ventilation: Panasonic
