DESIGN ELEMENTS: THE MASTER BATH

Too often dismissed in the design process, the master bath is a domain that should be treated like a personal sanctuary. There is no reason this room shouldn’t have one of the best views in the house. As much as any other space it should be designed with function and form, but also beauty. The JLF Architects team designs every room of a house with continuity, and the master bath is as essential as the main living area.

Nothing says luxury like an expansive master bath with a view. Connecting the serenity of the landscape outside to native stone and windows in place of walls creates a spa-like environment.

Interior design trends come and go, but the layout and finishes of a bathroom should have a longstanding presence. While a small powder room may be a space to play with ornate wallpaper or on-trend tile, the master is large enough to command a presence that is as alluring as the rest of the house. To that end, JLF uses cohesive materials in their designs, extending the stone, glass and wood that are integrated throughout the house.

This mountaintop home near Jackson, Wyoming, captures views of the Tetons with counter-to-ceiling master bath windows in lieu of traditional mirrors over the vanity.

Deep soaking tubs never go out of style. The options for freestanding models or customized forms are broad and come in a range of sizes. The bathtub lends a sculptural element to the space, punctuating the luxurious form in an otherwise practical room.

Daylight filters through a wall of glass in this master bath to create a serene day spa ambiance.

Serenity is the common thread in each of these master baths. Replacing walls with windows to capture daylight and vistas is a decidedly modern approach to a traditional space. To maximize the effect of windows, an “invisible” glass shower offers a seamless alternative to more traditional enclosed showers.

From crisp, contemporary finishes in this Wyoming house to eclectic, whimsical color and pattern in this Upstate New York home, the master bath offers a canvas for personal expression.

Rest and relaxation needn’t be saved for that rare trip to a day spa. Instead, that spa ambiance can be created and enjoyed daily in the form of a well-planned master bath. Attention to detail and careful planning for privacy can yield results that invite a person to enjoy a moment of rejuvenation in one’s own home.