Jen loves the opportunity to work on century homes, even more so when the owners are her friends. The mandate was to create a spa-like experience with concepts from Italy and Japan, which are two of the clients' favourite travel destinations; as it was mid-pandemic Jen relished in the concept research.
Marble-lined walls are a hallmark of Italian interiors but we didn’t want the added weight, cost, or additional manufacturing time caused by the pandemic, so Jen selected porcelain sheets with Calacatta veining by Laminam in a honed finish. Laminam is a man-made, non-porous product manufactured in Italy and it could be cut to size on site so it ticked all the boxes, especially for a steam shower. For our Japanese influences Jen kept visual clutter to a minimum via a curbless shower entrance and a seamless waterfall countertop that flowed into the shower bench. The herringbone tile pattern is a nod to the hardwood pattern on the ground floor and the texture keeps the surface as slip-proof as possible.
Experiential value goes to the Toto Washlet (also popular in Japan) and the Kohler steam generator for this elevated home spa experience. Jen chose Polished Nickel for the Purist faucets by Kohler to add warmth and elegance to the space. The warmth of the white oak vanity was a nod to sunsets on the Amalfi Coast and Japanese Onsen baths, and the breakfront design allowed a standard-sized sink while the wall-mount faucet saved precious inches. We think this bathroom feels more spacious and calming.
The powder room needed some love as well so the client selected a blue and white floral wallpaper reminiscent of Dutch Delft as a nod to their expat experience. Jen kept the large-scale pattern in check with a contemporary twist to the wainscotting and inky blue vanity and ceiling for gravitas.
