The Ribbon in My Journal – Phyllis Hoffman DePiano

Master Bathroom: My Escape into Serenity

When we were building our house, Neal and I designed the master bathroom to be the calming escape that I’d retreat to at the end of the day. Many of you always ask about where things come from, so here is the guide to creating a peaceful master bathroom like mine. I like knowing where I can find things when I see blogs, and I hope you do too.

I paired soft colors with white to give a refreshing and lightweight feel to the room. Not only do the Marvin windows framing the bathtub provide a beautiful backdrop, but they also let natural light in, complementing the light colors. I designed the side windows to open, so I can enjoy the peaceful breeze and really take a breath of fresh air.

In choosing my overall design, I started with the cabinet style and color. I love Diamond cabinets because they are customizable. You can select the door and the finish, so I chose the Rothshire design. It’s simple, and I think it’s so beautiful in Dover, a very soft gray-white. Neal and I both have built-in clothes hampers as well. The galley bathroom style is perfect for us—he has his area and I have mine.

Once the cabinet style was decided, I began thinking about functionality. I wanted everything to pull out. When I began to explore the options, I was thrilled to find many choices that made me smile because my days of crawling up in cabinets are over.

The trash can slides right out, and the storage under the sink has pull-out shelves. The towers with leaded seeded glass on either side of the room add an Old-World look that I just love. The makeup drawers have sliding compartments where my makeup is stashed—and for me, that’s a big stash!

In keeping with my cool color palette, I chose “Palace Pearl CW-650” from Benjamin Moore’s Williamsburg Paint Color Collection for the walls. The soft, powdery blue is beautiful and sets the mood for relaxation. It’s the ideal backdrop for the cabinets and my cherished painting of Williamsburg.

Benjamin Moore Palace Pearl CW-650

 

 

 

Amerock’s Carolyne hardware in a bright polished finish was exactly what I needed for this room. I decided on the square-shaped knobs to add a modern touch to the cabinets. The beading on the pulls and knobs is a one-of-a-kind design element that finishes the cabinets to perfection. 

Kohler was my go-to company for bathroom fixtures. I adore the focal point of the alcove—a white, oval soaking tub with chrome faucets from the Artifacts collection. This antique faucet style is one of my favorites. I chose sinks from the Kathryn collection because of their unique shape.

After I got all my fixtures and lighting installed, it was time for bathroom mirrors. Griffith Art Gallery in Pelham has extraordinary selections of frame molding as they are predominantly an art gallery. They can also make mirrors with beveled edges in any size. I chose an Italian finish of silver with a tinge of gold.

I must have a fan in my bathroom, so I selected a fan from Hunter! Its modern style is perfect, blending beautifully with the other finishes in the room. When that hair dryer is going strong, I flip the switch and a wonderful cool breeze fills the room. Honestly, I really do leave it on most of the time.

The Daltile floors are porcelain, but they have a marble design. I love porcelain for its easy-care characteristics, and the marble-colored striation fits perfectly with the colors I chose for this room.

You should think about creating a space of tranquility for yourself. If you are considering remodeling or redecorating, design a space that takes you away from the noise of everyday life. Sometimes just a new coat of paint and a change of cabinet knobs is all you need. Make the room your own and surround yourself with things you love.

 

In the holiday issue of Southern Home magazine, you will find a complete story of the house. Be on the lookout for it and in the meantime, enjoy the September/October issue.