Patricia Hoben and Charles Carter called upon Jim Grote of Cream City Construction to complete a total remodel of the master bathroom in their 1928 French eclectic manor house. Instead of creating one large room, the design maintained a multiple room layout to stay within the context of the home while creating a simulated spa experience. A freestanding soaking tub centered on a window wall is the focal point as you enter the bath suite. A separate vanity area, shower room and closet complete the floor plan. Arches, carved details, curvilinear lines and French-inspired design elements add to the elegance of the space. A custom-designed vanity with a marble countertop, decorative sinks and hand-carved drawer pulls and legs complement a custom-designed armoire. Toile wallpaper wraps the rooms in an "ooh la la" feel with swags of tasseled silk framing the window and closet door. Old-fashioned mirrors, faucets and light fixtures combined with a color palette of blue-green, brown and cameo white create a soothing atmosphere for this French-inspired spa.

Timeless elegance

Michael and Jennifer Egelhoff were looking to create a little more bathroom space — and a private master suite. The design objective was to infuse some modern conveniences into their 1920s home while complementing the original architecture with a clean, contemporary aesthetic. Muted neutral tones provide a backdrop for the white porcelain of the fixtures and the polished chrome accent of the hardware that combine to create the classic style. Modern amenities include a frameless shower enclosure with two shower heads, a corner hot air tub, heated floors and a recessed entertainment cabinet. Tan tiles are combined with white porcelain subway tiles to pay homage to the original architecture of the home, and listello tiles were arranged in a custom accent. A small balcony provides a link to the outdoors in this renovation project that gains a little extra space.

A new look

Tom and Bonnie Callen were ready to give their 60-year-old bathroom a new look. Inspired by a luxurious Kohler shower, they wanted to incorporate a few modern amenities while still achieving a warm, traditional look to complement the Country Tudor style of their 1943 home. Chocolate browns create a lavish backdrop for this intimate space and are accented with brushed bronze metal finishes and accent tiles. A Kohler Thistledown vanity with an iron impression countertop is another signature design element. The digital soft touch interface of the Kohler DTV custom showering experience offers four ceiling water tiles, three sidewall body sprays and a multi-setting, hand-held shower head. A modern spa experience was combined with classic details to create a space true to the warmth and traditional look of the Callens’ home.

Personal spa

Dr. John and Lakshmi Hall wanted to give a small bathroom a new look. Function and budget were important, yet the couple managed to create a sense of luxury in this small space. A combination bath-shower and a closet were removed to make room for a new walk-in shower with a full glass wall and two-way glass door. Multiple shower heads and body jets, slate tiles, as well as heated floors, create a spa-like experience. A custom walnut vanity with white Kohler fixtures and brushed nickel pulls complements the rich earth tones of the slate and adds to the sleek, streamlined look of the space. While the home is a Mediterranean style, this bathroom renovation was focused on function and simplicity.