The Atrium: A Transitional Gem Connecting Private Spaces

Nestled off a corner of the main bedroom, the attached bathroom and closet are thoughtfully separated by a distinctive area we’ve affectionately dubbed the “atrium.” While perhaps more accurately described as a vestibule, this small yet significant space, visible on the right side of the image above, acts as a beautiful and functional transition zone. It’s more than just a hallway; it’s a moment of pause, a breath of fresh air before entering the private realms beyond.

To provide a clearer understanding of this area’s thoughtful layout and its relationship to the surrounding rooms, here’s the detailed floor plan:

The atrium itself is a testament to understated elegance and careful design. It features a striking brass floor mirror, generously donated by West Elm, which not only adds a touch of glamour but also helps to visually expand the space. Overhead, a unique driftwood light from Shades of Light casts a warm, inviting glow, becoming one of our absolute favorite lighting fixtures in the entire house due to its organic texture and coastal charm. The walls throughout the atrium are painted in Benjamin Moore’s Stonington Gray, mirroring the serene palette of the main bedroom and creating a cohesive flow. This choice of a soft, neutral gray ensures a calming atmosphere that transitions beautifully into the more vibrant bathroom.

Early in the design process, we envisioned a “living wall” here, adorned with built-in planter boxes overflowing with lush greenery. This idea, while appealing, was ultimately shelved. The architectural constraints of the roofline regrettably prevented us from installing a skylight in this particular spot. Given the lack of natural sunlight, we deemed it impractical and potentially detrimental to cram the area with live plants. Instead, we opted for the elegant floor-length mirror, which brightens the space and offers a functional element between the bathroom and closet, proving that sometimes, simplicity is the most effective solution.

The Master Bathroom: A Spa-Inspired Retreat for Ultimate Relaxation

Turning to your right from the atrium, through a set of inviting double doors, you are welcomed into a space that truly captured our hearts – a room so captivating, we jokingly wished we could pack it up and install it directly into our own home.

The inherent spaciousness of this room, a blessing from the house’s thoughtful floor plan which included a generous window above the tub, naturally steered us towards creating a serene, spa-like atmosphere. From the outset, our vision was clear: a light and airy color scheme, punctuated by a captivating wash of color on the back wall of the shower. While we initially contemplated a more intense cobalt blue tile, an unforeseen stock issue led us to a delightful “happy accident.” We discovered and fell in love with the calming aqua glass tile we ultimately chose – the 3 x 12″ New Haven tile from The Tile Shop. This serene aqua, reminiscent of sea glass, became the cornerstone of the bathroom’s soothing aesthetic, proving that sometimes, the best designs emerge from unexpected turns.

Designing the Double Shower: A Blend of Beauty and Functionality

The shower design is a harmonious blend of impactful accent and timeless simplicity. The side walls feature classic 3 x 6″ white subway tiles, also generously provided by The Tile Shop. We meticulously selected these tiles for their classic appeal and, crucially, for their height, which perfectly aligned with the bolder aqua glass tiles on the back wall, ensuring seamless, uniform grout lines. This strategic choice allowed the captivating green glass accent wall to truly shine, while the subway tiles provided a clean, understated backdrop. This is truly a double shower, equipped with elegant Baliza showerheads on both side walls, a generous donation from Brizo. Furthermore, acting on the insightful suggestion of our local Ferguson representative, with whom we collaborated on all plumbing fixtures, we incorporated a convenient handshower on one side. We learned that these are becoming a standard feature in modern new builds, offering invaluable versatility for tasks like rinsing feet or bathing pets, enhancing the shower’s practicality without sacrificing its luxurious feel.

The shower pan is floored with The Tile Shop’s Evanston series in Frost Snow, a beautiful choice that subtly reinforces the room’s color story. This particular tile features delicate small aqua glass accents interspersed between elegant marble squares. These tiny, thoughtful details are instrumental in tying the striking aqua accent wall together with the sophisticated marble floor (which is 12 x 24″ Tempesta Neve marble) that extends throughout the rest of the bathroom. For a more detailed look at our tile selections, including a clearer view of those charming little green glass squares in the floor, you can explore our detailed tile photos here. We were also particularly impressed by the tile installer’s meticulous craftsmanship in wrapping the white subway tile seamlessly around the shower threshold, a detail that speaks volumes about the quality of the work.

It’s worth admitting that during the initial installation of the glass tile, I harbored genuine concerns. The combination of three distinct tile choices for the shower walls and floor felt somewhat disjointed, and I worried we had made a significant design misstep. However, a profound transformation occurred the moment the entire area was grouted with a uniform white grout. Suddenly, every element harmonized, creating a cohesive and breathtaking design. What initially caused apprehension quickly became my absolute favorite feature in the bathroom, a true testament to the power of the finishing touches in interior design.

Elegant Vanities: Custom Craftsmanship and Thoughtful Details

Stepping out of the shower for a moment, let’s turn our attention to the exquisite vanities – a design element you don’t typically discuss daily, but these truly deserve recognition. These custom pieces were crafted by Affinity, the same local cabinet company responsible for the stunning kitchen cabinetry, ensuring a consistent level of quality and design throughout the home. The vanities are painted in Affinity’s signature stock gray color, which we’ve discovered bears a striking resemblance to Benjamin Moore’s sophisticated Timberwolf Gray. Complementing this, the surrounding walls are painted in Benjamin Moore’s Moonshine, a soft, ethereal gray that creates a serene backdrop for the vanity area.

The design continues with stunning details: the unique driftwood mirrors and the chic Soho sconces were both generously donated by Shades of Light, adding texture and sophisticated lighting. The faucets, like the shower fixtures, are from the elegant Brizo Baliza collection, maintaining a cohesive aesthetic across all plumbing elements. The countertops, a truly captivating feature, are crafted from Lady Onyx. This choice introduces a subtle, delicate green veining that beautifully echoes the tranquil seaglass hues found in the shower tile. These exceptional countertops were sourced through Eternal Stoneworks, a reputable local company known for their exquisite stone selections.

The subtle green veins in the onyx counters were a deliberate choice to harmoniously connect with the serene seaglass color of the shower tile, providing a sophisticated counterpart to the more traditional marble flooring. This thoughtful layering of materials and colors creates depth and visual interest throughout the space. Small, stylish woven baskets from HomeGoods add a touch of warmth and practical storage, reinforcing the spa-like ambiance.

To further elevate the custom vanities and imbue them with a more bespoke, furniture-like quality, we incorporated several thoughtful details. We selected mirrors with a soft patina effect, strategically placing them behind elegant x-frame doors – a design choice reminiscent of the clear glass ones used in the kitchen, creating subtle connections throughout the home. Additionally, we opted for an arched trim along the base of each vanity, a subtle yet impactful architectural detail that softens the built-in appearance and enhances its artisanal feel (a feature best appreciated in earlier, wider shots of the vanities). For a touch of everyday luxury, the generously sized bathmats were sourced from Target, combining comfort with practicality.

The Unexpected Star: A Stylish Toilet and Luxurious Soaker Tub

Now, let’s momentarily embrace a touch of the unconventional. I must confess, I’ve never given much thought to toilets, but our builder’s insistence on selecting a more stylish model introduced me to a peculiar phenomenon: toilet envy. Both of us immediately fell for the sleek design of the Tresham, generously donated by Kohler. Who knew a toilet could inspire such admiration? It just goes to show that every detail, no matter how functional, contributes to the overall aesthetic. Adorning the tank are delicate vases from World Market, while the framed seafan art from HomeGoods adds a subtle nod to coastal elegance.

Speaking of envy, Sherry, especially during her pregnancy, experienced profound longing in front of this magnificent freestanding tub. Ever since enjoying a large soaker tub at one of our book tour hotels, she had been yearning for one of her own. This beautiful fixture is the York from Victoria + Albert, celebrated for its elegant lines and comfortable depth. A popular design choice for this model is to paint its exterior an accent color. While we considered this, we ultimately decided to keep the shower as the primary accent of the room, allowing its aqua hues to truly command attention. However, we wanted to share this tip as it could be a wonderfully creative idea for enhancing your own bathroom space.

Adjacent to the tub, a simple stool and a practical basket, both discovered at HomeGoods, provide convenient storage and a touch of organic texture. The sleek floor-mount tub filler is the Trinsic, a stylish contribution from Delta. To further enhance the area around the tub, our skilled carpenter meticulously added beadboard wainscoting. This not only introduces a charming accent and architectural interest but also provides valuable extra protection against splashes, bubbles, and whatever other delightful (or messy) fantasies your particular tub experience might entail. Mine, of course, frequently involves nachos – just saying!

Refined Finishes: Mirrors, Lighting, and Seamless Views

Here’s a captivating view looking back into the room from the unique vantage point of the shower. Yes, I was literally inside the shower enclosure when I captured this shot, and yes, the temptation to take it for a test drive was undeniably strong!

The selection of the vanity mirrors turned out to be an eleventh-hour decision, literally happening just days before our final reveal. Our initial choice of chrome-framed mirrors, while elegant, blended too seamlessly with the other gleaming, polished fixtures in the room, making them feel almost invisible. We quickly realized the space demanded more contrast and texture. It was then that inspiration struck: rough driftwood frames! This choice would not only provide the visual interest we craved but also create a beautiful, organic reference to the driftwood lighting fixture we had chosen for the nearby atrium, ensuring a cohesive design narrative throughout the master suite.

The moment we hung these new driftwood mirrors, our excitement was almost disproportionate, perhaps a sign of delirium from the intense showhouse schedule! Yet, they undeniably stand out as one of our most beloved last-minute design alterations, proving that sometimes, the best decisions are made under pressure and with a keen eye for integration. Their rustic charm perfectly balances the polished surfaces and soft tones of the room.

Providing essential ambient light and a touch of sophisticated sparkle, the main overhead fixture in the bathroom is the stunning Clear Glass Chandelier from Shades of Light. While it may not always “pop” as dramatically in photographs, its presence in person is truly breathtaking. Its elegant design and shimmering glass create a sense of refined luxury. We were so impressed with its impact that we even acquired another one for the living room, opting for a custom gold finish to seamlessly tie into other fixtures in that area, demonstrating its versatility and timeless appeal.

The Walk-in Closet: Optimized Storage and Seamless Style

Adjacent to the en-suite bathroom, the master bedroom’s walk-in closet is equally impressive in its generous size and thoughtful design. It cleverly incorporates two distinct sections, making it ideally convenient for a couple, thanks to a strategically placed partition in the middle that carves out dedicated spaces for each individual. While we can’t claim extensive credit for the intricate planning of this space – much of our input involved simply nodding enthusiastically as the builder and his talented carpenter unveiled their ingenious plans – we are incredibly proud to showcase their masterful handiwork and our modest styling efforts. For showhouse tours, closets are typically staged with a curated selection of outfits, bags, and shoes to convey their potential, without the overwhelming sight of an entire wardrobe.

As we briefly mentioned in yesterday’s reveal, we added a charming and functional trio of our new doorknob hooks – two larger ones and one smaller – to create a delightful display space on the central partition. This flat wall was originally slated to feature a full-length mirror, but we ultimately decided against it. With the elegant floor mirror already established in the atrium, and a convenient table-height mirror incorporated into the vanity area directly behind this wall, a third full-length mirror felt excessive and redundant. This decision speaks to our commitment to thoughtful space planning and avoiding unnecessary clutter.

Speaking of that petite vanity space within the closet, it’s a beautifully styled nook designed for daily rituals. The comfortable stool is a practical find from Target, while a vibrant green lacquered box from HomeGoods adds a pop of color and sophisticated storage. A chic gold bowl, housing a lush plant, introduces a touch of organic elegance, sourced from World Market. The carefully arranged bags and clothes are a mix of our personal items, complemented by unique thrift store finds and a few stylish scarves from Target, creating an approachable yet aspirational display.

This cleverly designed vanity sits in the back half of the closet, which, in addition to standard hanging bars and cubbies, boasts an entire wall dedicated to angled shelves specifically designed for shoes. This ingenious solution maximizes storage and organization for footwear, making it easy to see and access every pair. Carpenter John – yes, yet another talented John contributed to this project – truly understood the nuances of closet functionality, delivering a system that is both beautiful and incredibly practical.

The front side of the closet is primarily configured with versatile bars and shelves, as clearly visible in this detailed shot of the area. This layout provides ample hanging space for garments and flexible shelving for folded items, ensuring every inch is utilized efficiently for optimal organization.

Beyond the standard storage, this section proudly features a thoughtfully integrated built-in tie rack and a couple of additional shoe shelves, catering to specific needs. We initially purchased a selection of thrift store ties to fill the rack, only to discover, under the brighter lighting of the closet, that they were unfortunately stained. Thankfully, some other wonderful individuals working on the house came to our rescue with cleaner spare ties, and my dad generously contributed a few from his own collection, ensuring the tie rack was beautifully presented for the showhouse tour. This delightful anecdote highlights the collaborative spirit of the entire project and the unexpected challenges (and solutions) that arise during the staging process.