Hi, guys! It’s Velinda again, here to walk you through the “FINAL” design for the master bath. Anyone else ever use this (super effective) file naming system?:
- New.psd
- New_Final.psd
- New_FINAL final.psd
- New_FINAL final finally.psd
- New_FINALEST FINAL FINALLY final.psd
- New_FINAL FOR REAL THIS TIME, PROMISE final.psd
Yeah, the design process has been pretty much that. So, despite tile already going up and all lighting having been ordered, we’re gonna leave quotes marks around “final” design. As we were collecting past product mood boards for this post, we found one with a note from Emily that read “LOVE DON’T CHANGE!” We all laughed (including Emily). Not a thing from that board is going in this house. You may be getting nervous, thinking “why would things change? I hate change and I’ve already voted/decided FOR you! Are YOU CHEATING ON ME?”
NO, LOVE! NOOO…loves, we’ve remained faithful…almost. We have a teeny bit of news to break. But first, let’s reminisce on how far we’ve come together. (Insert Barbara Streisand’s “Memories” sound bite).
So, here is the final (for real) floor plan for the second floor, including the master bath, for reference, but first, here was what it was when Emily started this project with some notes about how we were going to get to the above.
…and here is a closer detail with notes of the final plan.
I really wish I could help navigate you through how those three original rooms (the original master bath, powder room and part of the bunk room) eventually became our current master, but I’m as turned around as some of you are. This project was already in the works when I joined the team. Actually, this room is the first for which I got to engage in the design process. Luckily, Emily did a pretty good job of getting everyone up to speed here. And here.
So, when I came onto the project, the master bathroom looked like this:
Or at least it did in my first “professional” rendering…fail. You’ll notice the master bathroom was the last I Design, You Decide presented just with mood boards instead of life-like imagery. Oops…sorry, guys.
It took me eight days to figure out what I was doing wrong (after a week of nightly crying over the inevitable, immediate loss of my dream job). Luckily, Emily was patient (as always), my wife was there to scrape me off the floor and I haven’t been fired (yet)!
So, while I practiced my Podium skills, we utilized a hodgepodge of Keynote, Photoshop and SketchUp animations to explore what remained to be decided (after you guys had decided…we still had to figure out lighting and mirrors). We played with two mirrors vs one and lots of pretty lights we loved. The process looked something like this:
We ended up using the pendant in design #2 in the kitchen. We loved the pendant in #1, but decided we would be doing a disservice to the gorgeous ceiling if we didn’t provide some uplight to highlight it and this fixture directs light downward.
While playing around, we fell in love with the linear sconce in #3 and #4. It’s Katie Skelton’s Jones Double Sconce and it worked so much better over a single mirror than double. So that stuck. We liked the scale of the sconce in the water closet and loved that it had a “modern cabin-y” feel. The hardest light to nail down was the central pendant. We wanted something graphic that worked with the linear look but was still soft…with uplight to highlight the ceiling (uplight also makes a space feel bigger, which is great since this isn’t the world’s largest master bath…though now I want to see the world’s largest master bath). We found this light and loved it, but didn’t think it’d work for the space shape-wise/scale-wise. Until we found out we could customize it into a four-arm option! Which looks like this:
Finding the right lighting combo can be surprisingly time-consuming. (We’re in the same process right now for the master bedroom, btw, should any of you want to do our jobs for us? Please…seriously. This post shows you the vibe we’re going for.)
Here’s what’s complicated about lighting. Not only do the looks/style of the lights need to speak to each other without being too matchy or visually competitive, but they also need to provide the right light for the function at hand. Lighting can get nerd-out technical, but some basics to know if you want to read a basic spec sheet:
- Correlated Color Temperature (CCT, measured in Kelvin): How warm or cool a light is. The lower the number, the warmer the light. 2700 K is great for residential spaces. It’s that warm, incandescent feel. I wouldn’t personally go over 3500 K unless it’s a commercial space. 5000 K is the max.
- Color Rendering Index (CRI, rated between 0 and 100): This is how accurately a light source will reveal the colors of other objects. A low CRI can mean a beautiful room gets cheated because your colors won’t pop. I was taught not to choose a light with a CRI lower than 85.
- Lumens: This is the measurement of light output. The more lumens, the brighter your light. A 25-watt light source gives you 230 to 270 lumens; a 60 W (which is a standard residential bulb wattage0, 800 to 850 lumens.
In my lighting design class, our professor repeatedly made us go through this process:
First, decide WHAT you want to light (an activity? A piece of art?), then decide HOW you want to light (considering the desired direction of light along with everything discussed above). Then WITH WHAT (finally, we get to think about pretty things!).
That’s the “right” way, but don’t feel bad if you’ve never considered a Kelvin in your life. If Emily ever asks me the CRI rating of a light, I’ll weep and hug her. We, too, like to skip to the “pretty things” part. But, maybe this will help make some sense of a hardware store’s bulb aisle, where a translator is needed to read the back of a dang box!
Now, back to the bathroom. I guess it’s as good of a time as any to have this conversation. The one, teeny tiny change you’re about to notice on these “final FINALLY finalest…pinky swear” mood boards is the floor. We swapped the dark, pebble floor for an equally dark, slate floor. It just felt better (both for the space and on the feet) and seemed to run less risk of dating itself, so we hope you won’t mind? Please don’t break up with us. We were thinking of you the whole time, I swear!
As a reminder, here’s what won out in that initial vote:
And here’s what it evolved into:
Double Wall Sconce | Terra Cotta Tile | Countertop Marble | Vanity | Wall-Mount Faucet | Sink | Towel Ring | Slate Tile Flooring
Rain Panel | Showerhead | DTV Interface | Handshower with Slidebar | Steam Generator | Bench Marble | Slate Tile Flooring | Herringbone Tile | Body Spray Watertiles | Soundtile Speakers
Reclaimed Wood | Pendant (customized) | Robe Hook | Tub | Slate Tile Flooring | Towel Bar | Floor-Mount Bath Filler | Window Frame
Sconce | Wall Tile | Toilet | Toilet Tissue Holder | Slate Tile Flooring
For those that need a little help in the visualization department, here it is all pulled together in some fancy-schmancy renderings. Man, it’d be a way better, full circle ending if I could claim to have done these! It was all Grace. But I CAN NOW, YOU GUYS, I PROMISE! EMILY, DON’T FIRE ME!
The I Design, You Decide was really close for this room (meaning, we didn’t change too much from what was voted on), so we’re eager to hear if the majority of you still like it, all rendered out with the finishing pieces. We’re also happy to be far enough along in the install to have sneak peeks to share if you follow us on Instagram! Head to the stories later today to check out some of the install details so far.
One final thought, which has little to do with design. I’m really just leaving this here so you all can help me hold Emily accountable. Micro-bubbles. What is a micro-bubble and what makes it better than a bubble-bubble? This tub we’re using (the Sunstruck from Kohler) offers a “blissful cushion of massaging bubbles” that “completely surround your body.” Thousands of bubbles every second. Emily, if I don’t get to test out the bubble cushion, I quit. That’s “FINAL!”
Thanks for reading, friends!
Why have you chosen different tiles in the shower, and not used the Clé throughout?
I had the same question.
Its not, for some reason it just looks that way!
HA! 😀 I hear you Velinda! I’d want into that tub too and I mean also look at that view….!!! All I see out of my tub is frosted glass and by bathroom clutter :’)
Now but seriously: it looks beautiful!!! I think its still pretty close to the original mood board, the slate looks super nice and elegant and I mean it’s your bare feet that are going to be walking on that floor not ours, so you go! I’m excited to see it ‘for real’
I love the degree of technicality vis a vis the lighting! Don’t understand it, but love it! And ps, i number all my final.final files with numbers, it’s just easier. As in new_final1.psd thru new.final25.psd. ha.
Hi Emily,
I wanted first to thank you and your team for the great content you provide everyday. I appreciate your commitment to this website. Secondly, is there any possibility to minimize the number of advertisements on the website? Recently, there have been so many small windows with adds, short videos, and notifications opening on the website that it makes it impossible to go through the page. I usually have to close the window after scrolling down quickly becuase the number of adds and side videos/ windows makes it difficult for my internet service to show all the images related to the content of the post.
Thanks so much,
Elham
I also agree that I love the content (this is my first website visit everyday!!) Sometimes the page has errors in the ads that keep causing safari to reload the page, over and over, so I have to go to reader view to get though the content. I LOVE YOU EHD TEAM!
I agree, the number of ads and moving images makes focusing on the text and post images difficult.
Yay! You got rid of the pebble floor! I’ve always thought those looked clunky, and ones I’ve seen that had been used for a while always had a whitish bleached look that cheapish. And no sore feet!
Not crazy about the light fixture over the sink mainly due to the bar part of the fixture. Looks fussy to me. To many details in a small space. I want to remove some of the visual clutter, and, if it were me, I’d start with the light.
Get Adaware (there’s a free version). I don’t see any ads at all.
I agree that there are too many ads. This site (because I love it so and want to keep coming back) is truly the reason I have an ad blocker. I don’t feel like other sites I personally go to have as many. FYI it’s not all ads- I also find it very distracting to have the little Emily videos going all the time. This bathroom is the picture of serenity- let me fake that serenity through the computer a bit better!
Those windows are amazing. What a sanctuary.
Well, it’s all going to be gorgeous. I love it. But just something I’d change; I wouldn’t have a wall to shut off the loo, I’d have it open. I know it’s the least lovely object in the whole room but I’d not be keen to sit on that in a little shut away tunnel. Maybe it’s not like that in the flesh.
Either way, keep it up – we love you.
I agree with Annie – seems like a lot of compartments with the shower, the recessed vanity and then the toilet.
i actually like all the comparments for their own functions!
very pretty – but nothing about it is “cabin” – definitely Emily and not Brian. Are you sure Brian ok’ed this 🙂
Yeah, I agree. It is a lovely bathroom, but I don’t think you can call it “mountain” anything.
I agree as well. The pebbles were the only “cabin” part! But I’m sure it will still be beautiful and functional, if not safe. I wonder if there’s a threshold for the shower and the pebbles could be used in the shower only?
I feel like the pebble floor was a big determining factor in the “I design, you decide” votes – I specifically voted for this option because the white pebble floor seemed impossible to clean so removing the pebble floor changes my original vote. But as I said, it will be beautiful no matter what!
Agree. It’s so pretty now, but I’m sad to see the pebble tile go. I get that it’s hard to swallow for people who design in LA every day, but that was the defining mountainy aspect. Instead of tossing it, I’d rather have brought in more mountain through other details (although, admittedly, this might be hard in a bathroom where styling is relatively minimal). Anyway, it’s gorgeous but just not what I’d picture for Scandi-mountain-modern-rustic.
I agree. There is absolutely nothing mountain house about this.
I just don’t understand all the shiny brass for a mountain/rustic look. It is so jarring. I feel like, with all the marble, it’s screaming ‘Palm springs’. Which doesn’t make it less pretty but this house is going to have such a weird vibe…
Maybe the dark pebble floor could have been kept for the shower, just to set it apart a little bit? It looks a little cold, and I feel like the pebbles would have added a cozy factor.
I appreciate all your solicitation of our ideas, but I feel like Brian’s voice being stronger than “ours” might have kept this a bit more mountainy.
Everything looks dreamy and fresh except for one thing: the “outhouse” water closet. That wall sconce looks like an outdoor fixture to me and makes that little space feel cheesy. It almost feels like a cabin-y gimmick (like when cabin rentals have the half moon painted on the door–ha ha we’re in the woods, get it?). I know it’s insanely difficult to pull together a lighting scheme that works and it’s not easy to just swap out a single fixture, but I think something a little less literal might work better.
Agreed
I was thinking the same thing about that fixture. And the bath feels nothing like a mountain retreat except for the view. And I echo the comment on the loo wall.
I love this project, but it seems like it’s getting way bigger than ever anticipated and these posts feel like a visit to the inner workings of Architectural Digest instead of a place where I can come and get inspired for my own home.
Still love you and love your blog and your work and everything. Just missing more of the practical ideas that I can adapt for myself.
That sconce is insanely expensive as well. The size seems overwhelming for that little space. It’s a total needle scratch for me.
I strongly prefer the new tile! Only thing that “bugs” is the total symmetry over the vanity. Could one of those towel bars be changed out for a pretty piece of (rustic Scandanavian) art?
*towel ring
Not a bad idea, Rachel. Definitely a possibility!
Why oh WHY LED lights are often 80 CRI??? I spent hours checking all the damned boxes in stores and scrolling amazon, ebay, whatever.
Gorgeous bathroom anyway, and love your prose
Can you do the Cle tiles all in a color? They’re so beautiful and are a little lost with the white walls . . . Otherwise, love the changes.
Beautiful work! My only comment is that, maybe, it’s a bit too white? It is hard to tell from the renderings, but maybe selecting more of a blue-grey slate (as opposed to a true grey) for the floor would help make everything pop? Undertood on the pebble – I recall the commments being rather spit on that front. Also, what is the mirror frame material? It could be lovely to introduce more wood somewhere (as opposed to just the ceiling and minimal everywhere else).
Hi Alexa,
Interesting idea. The mirror hasn’t been sourced yet and will be custom, so definitely something to consider. Thanks!
Oooh— I love the idea of a wood mirror!!! A wood vanity would be my first choice since it feels a little white on the vertical plane, but I think that ship has sailed.
A wood mirror— yes!! That will help “mountain up” this bathroom!!
or what if the millwork below the sink was wood? I agree – its just a little too white. I know the wood ceiling and dark floor help, but everything vertical is white – might be nice to break it up. I also kind of wish you did black fixtures rather than the gold. I love gold – trust me! but the black may give it that pop!
It’s definitely going to be pretty, but I already miss the dark pebbles on the floor. Was really looking forward to seeing that happen, but “your house, you decide” is how it should be.
I know you’re not alone in missing the pebbles, Sarah! That decision was a hard one. We may end up missing the pebbles too. Flooring is about to go in, so we will know soon, fingers crossed.
The slate is totally generic. The pebbles were what made it unique to start with.
I agree completely. I loved all the selections in the post, but when I got to the renderings, I felt pretty “meh.” The floor feels cold and reminds me of a generic, mid-range hotel room. I’m hoping the color has more depth in real life.
Hi Velinda, this is even better than I thought! Blown away, I need to sit down and absorb all of this, no wonder it has taken time to develop. Love it and love the cle dark slate tile you found. Great decision – like anything thing in life, esp the design process if something more beautiful/appropriate/available, comes along thru all your hard efforts, of course include it. It is not like the material’s have feelings:) and of course I suspect we all want to support Emily getting to her DREAM home. These posts are such quality, undoubtedly my favorite online, I am very grateful to the whole team for creating them and you for pushing thru that tough spot, to get this to us.
Gabrielle
Gabrielle, thanks so much for taking the time to write such a flattering review! It’s so nice to be a favorite online… THANK you.
What’s the function of the wall separating the water closet from the vanity, just symmetry? I feel like the bathroom would feel a lot more open if you only how the shower wall on left. There’s no door on the water closet, so imagine privacy isn’t the main concern. If it were me, I’d nix that second wall and keep the sink and bathroom open or at least a wall only to vanity level height not to the ceiling. Feel really enclosed and kinda tiny in there when it could just flow into the rest of the bathroom (in my non-professional opinion, of course!).
Wahhh… I’m sad about losing the pebble tile, I was definitely in favor of that! It just felt SO cabin-y and I was excited to see it mixed in with the more modern touches. The slate feels pretty safe, to be honest. It’s all gorgeous though, and I can’t wait to see the final product!
This this this.
I also don’t understand what the point of us voting was, if the final changed so much? Pebble tiles were the risk that I personally (and presumably a lot of people who voted?) was looking forward to seeing executed in a good way, but now it’s just… where’s the cabin vibe? Where’s the pushing yourself? It’s a perfectly lovely room, I just don’t find it nearly as exciting and boundary expanding as previously.
Agreed, the slate is totally safe and a bit boring 🙁
Yeah, the pebble decision was a key component of the design chosen by readers, and there’s nothing ‘mountain’ anymore about this bathroom. Heck, I have nearly identical slate tiles in my own NYC bathroom; I wanted to ‘escape’ to something different when he read about the mountain house! 🙂 Between switching things out in the design decide posts after they’ve been voted on, and the deletion of the posts asking about the millwork in the Portland entryway (which really took me aback, to see that comments would be deleted just for asking questions that readers wanted the answers to), it really feels like the blog cares a lot less about the readers these days. Which is fine – you guys are the experts, after all, and design beautiful spaces! – but given that so many of the posts are written to make it seem like EHD cares a ton, it is starting to ring a little false.
I love the new vertical stack Cle tiles (and think it could be better flowing through the shower area as well) but have to agree that the compartments/stalls for each part of the design are a little… soulless. The lack of a tank over the toilet contributes to this feel, I think, because in stead of coming across as modern it looks like the outhouse toilets in a state park. The tub with the view is incomparably lovely, yet the other side of the design somehow isn’t doing it for me. I realize floor plan constraints exist, and as the owners who will use this space Brian and Emily may not want the toilet germs exposed to the sink, but there may be merit in erasing the wall between vanity and toilet (if only it were that easy).
Yes yes yes! I was trying to figure out what this design reminded me of and you nailed it – the bathrooms at a state park. Something just seems a bit off with the compartmentalized toilet, vanity and shower areas.
+PS I was interested to see how black pebble floor played but I get that it might have been a little too much! Esp. with the very clean Scandi vibe you’re designing toward. Remember how we voted for overall style in summer and several people wondered whether the season would influence our desire for a lighter airier cabin? Well now it’s fall and I suddenly find myself wistful for a more rustic, textured cabin design – all that beautiful reclaimed wood now being added comes across so sleek chic and not mountainy to me. Oh well 🙂 No doubt the renderings plasticize it more than the actual installation will turn out. But please add so much texture as you choose fabrics and decorations!!
Hi, Julie… interesting point about the seasons influencing the voting. I’m sure that’s probably true. You’re totally right about renderings looking more plasticized. The wood (going in now, check out social media stories today) is definitely more rustic than it is in these renderings. WAY more texture in reality. Thanks for all your thoughts.
THANK GOD YOU GOT RID OF THE PEBBLE TILE! That’s really all I came here to say. 🙂 Everything looks beautiful!
Haha… thanks for chiming in. Glad there’s a ‘vote’ for the slate!
Me, too! Exactly why I wanted to comment. The pebble tile is just so cheesy.
I think it’s beautiful but a bit stark.I think the loss of the pebble tile takes away the subtle cabin vibe this room had going, but it’s still gorgeous. I know this will change when you add the accessories, so I can’t wait to see it finished. A plant, some fluffy towels, maybe some vintage art or something – it seems like those would really help it feel more “mountain.” I’ll be watching on stories to see Brady (my favorite tree branch thief) artfully arrange some greenery and bring the whole thing to life.
In the animated rendering, it seems that wall between the toilet and tub is a big point of focus when you walk in. What will you put there? I would love to see some statement art there, and whatever you choose could be a way to nod to your mountain location a little bit.
Styling is going to be so fun and I’m with you… can’t wait to watch it really come to life. That wall is definitely an opportunity for something special. Thanks for your thoughts!
I am also picturing a gorgeous vintage rug in this space to add some warmth and texture! Cannot wait to see it all styled. 🙂
It’s beautiful, but it’s so white! And I love white don’t get me wrong, but I feel like something is missing. Like I wish the vanity was the same wood tone as the clad ceiling to break up some of the whiteness.
Agree! Wood vanity would Ben killer.
I really love how this house is going full force with the lighting options. These are some seriously pricey options that my client won’t even consider for her 7 million construction cost house. Still trying, *fingers crossed*
I love the Cle tile swap out over the classic subway. Its subtle handmade quality is just so beautiful.
Great post Velinda.
Thank you, Bre! Special/interesting lighting can definitely get expensive fast, but if it’s a budget like that!…
And we love the subtleties of handmade too!
OK, the lighting talk brings up a question I’ve been asking myself constantly. Am I the only one who likes white light in a house? I have the worst time finding “daylight” bulbs with cool light. This post recommends warm light. Am I just a crazy person?
Haha, no your not. Counties with warmer climates LOVE “cooler” lights. In Asia it’s the opposite and difficult to find warm white light bulbs.
Rach, interesting… I wasn’t aware of that in Asia. Thanks for teaching!
Avery, that’s interesting! I’d love to know why you prefer cool light. What about it do you like?
Agreed on the daylight bulbs! In our house, there were two rooms that the prior owners had used as kids’ bedrooms, and they had very dim fixtures. We were turning them into an office and a workshop, and we wanted a ton of light, especially for detail work in the workshop. We ended up replacing the overhead fixtures with ones that took 12 bulbs (overkill much?) and then found some Philips LED daylight dimmable bulbs that gave us the brightness we needed. Some we found at Home Depot, and others we found at Amazon. Make sure use all of those words (Philips LED daylight dimmable) to find ones that you need! (Dimmable is optional, but I like putting dimmers everywhere so I can control the light, and I was worried that the 12 bulbs might be too much, but we keep it at full brightness most of the time!)
I’m with you! Ever since I was a kid, I have loated “yellow” light and loved crisp white/blue. (Not hospital bright, but definitely NOT creamy yellow.) I can never find artificial light that I truly enjoy. When night rolls around I just deal with the lamps and look forward to when the sun comes out again!
I am sad about the loss of the pebble tile…I was excited to see that pulled off in a fun and modern way! I felt like that was the one element keeping this design playful. Also, you nixed the interesting warm tone marble!! I’m sure once we see this all styled out it will skew more mountain, but I think it’s looking a bit too sleek from the renderings. I also agree with the others about the toilet room sconce and wall (it reads like an outdoor sconce which feels cheesy to me BUT I do love the light teal backing of the light once I saw it in the collage!) It looks a bit…tight? Both for the vanity and toilet.
My concern with the walls in the sink area is the two sinks. They seem very close to the walls. Would you be able to wash your face and not bang your elbow into the wall? Would one larger sink be better?
I will say I don’t mind the outhouse on the side. Maybe the lighting could be brighter so it’s not as shadowy and darker than the rest of the room. I’m sure you’ll incorporate some art too.
I usually love seeing how you change decisions up because I think it feels more realistic to hear your compromise between a design want and budget/other constraints, but I’ve gotta admit… I’m really sad the dark pebble tile isn’t happening anymore. I totally respect that you need the ability to make changes, but that was the one thing I was actually most interested in with this bathroom. I’m always drawn to the pebble tiles but see so few examples of it I actually like IRL so I’m scared to go with it but secretly want to. I was so looking forward to seeing you push the envelope with those and do them tastefully. Thank you for the post with a roundup of beautiful examples at least, that was really cool! And this is still so beautiful.
That vanity and doorless water closet area are making me feel pretty claustrophobic. Is the wall to the right of the vanity necessary? I get that it offers some privacy but it really cuts the space off in a jarring manner.
This is a well-designed layout. Good flow, proper scale, and beautiful materials. In the mood board and renderings it looks like a lot of brass but I get that it brings the warm tone of the wood ceiling down into the room. I think all of the lighting is a perfect balance of refined/industrial/vintage-inspired for this house. There’s something about the amount of drywall that’s taking this into a more contemporary zone. But I’m guessing with the ceiling and wall/shower tile it would get too busy with cladding. I know you guys will style this amazingly to achieve that perfect balance of refined/rustic. I would love to see the window treatments.
April, THANK you.
Total bummer you changed the floor.
R.I.P pebble tile. You will be missed
Ahahaha. ‘R.I.P’. 🙂
Love it, huge fan of the new tile! The Cle tile adds a really beautiful texture that feels more rustic than the original option. Also, so glad you got rid of the pebble flooring, I thought it would be a nightmare to keep clean!! Slate floors will be amazing.
The cleanliness factor is another good point! Glad you approve.
I get the layout but wonder why that Clé tile isn’t also in the shower? It seems it would flow more to have it uniform. Also, I’d put a door to the WC (but haven’t been married as long as Emily and Brian have ?)!
Hi, this looks gorgeous and very peaceful-mountainy (is that a word??). Can you link up to that fabulous mirror?
Karyn, that mirror isn’t actually sourced yet and will likely have to be custom. We’ll let you know once we do 🙂 Thanks for the compliments!
I think the slate on the floor looks great and will be so much better (foot feel and clean-up wise) than the pebbles. Great switch!
This is gorgeous. I love it. But it’s not very mountain-cabin-y, and it feels like a lot of the rooms are doing this in their final design: skewing more modern and less cabin. I’m kinda bummed about that, because I was excited to see something a little different from EHD.
But I would like to make it clear, I think all the designs are GORGEOUS.
Also, Velinda, I *really* like your semi-technical talk on lighting! That is super helpful!!
Thanks for your thoughts, Catherine. And I’m glad the technical stuff was helpful! I definitely think the wood going in is going to help a lot with the satisfying the desire for more ‘cabin’. And from what I’ve seen Emily gathering for the styling, we’ve got a lot of cabin elements coming in there too. So, stay tuned and let us know if your desire for more-mountainy is ultimately satisfied!
Put the toilet paper holder on the other wall please!!
Would love to hear more about the decision to take out pebble tile! I wasn’t sure about it but was very curious to see how it would turn out, and I recall Emily being super excited about it. Can we get a behind-the-scenes on how this change came about? (Even if it just in comment reply form.) xox
Hi, Courtney. A big part of that decision was due to taking the dam out of the shower inclosure. Originally, there were pebbles in the main areas and a slab in the shower. But when the dam was removed, the flooring needed to all be the same. Emily and Brian didn’t love the idea of standing on pebbles in the shower. Something smoother seemed a better option. There’s some additional behind-the-scenes for ya 😉
Can we talk about how horrible phillips leds are? Any website that has a “Foolproof Guide to LEDs” article recommends them when in reality they’re super yellow, super dim, and have an 80 CRI. They act like oh yeah just go to target pick out the phillips and you’re good, which is such a lie. I’ve spent HOURS online finding the right LEDs.
A fellow lighting nerd! Translating LED to equivalent incandescent is a feat! I love the shift to LED, but don’t trust the grading systems fully. It’s still a bit hit or miss, right? What LEDs do you love? Would love to know what you’ve found online.
Hyperikon is my go to for sure! They’re a great basic/starting point. Of course everything gets more difficult when you need specialty bulbs. Like you said its TOTALLY hit or miss!
GE Lighting has started making their Reveal bulbs in LED. They have three models – kitchen / bath, living, and something I can’t remember. They’re MUCH brighter in the kitchen without being institutional.
Elaine, thanks so much for that tip!
The entry door is swing differs from the plan to the rendering…fyi.
I’m gonna have to agree, I’m really bummed that you axed the pebble tile… the slate is just so safe IMO. I was really eager to see pebble done well! I’m wondering if some of these I design-you decides are coming out a little too soon… when so much is changed following them, it does make you wonder why we’re all participating in the first place. Not meant to be a criticism I promise, just maybe that these should happen later in the design process. I’m super interested to see this room styled out, it seems so WHITE right now, but styling can and should make this more mountain-y, plus it’s my favorite part! You always do a great job and I’m excited to see how you give this room some mountain-y soul!
It is a criticism … constructive criticism, which is a good thing! 🙂 I feel the same way as you do. I was initially very excited by the “I Design, You Decide” slant. But time and again, it has been validated that we’re not deciding anything. Emily is doing whatever she wants … her house, her prerogative, but I feel like the marketing hook of the “I Design, You Decide” is definitely falsely advertised! I think it was begun with good intentions, but Emily is not good at letting go. 😉
Ashley, your idea about having them come out later would probably fix that, but I’m guessing it would take too long in reality to have all of the materials ordered, etc. The house would take years! I already feel like it’s dragging on, and again, I miss the excitement of the whole reno when I thought I was actually going to have a say in the plans.
This! Totally 100% agree. I also feel like the readers’ opinions were not truly respected from the start because it was always so obvious which “choice” Emily wanted us to choose. I have always liked EHD design but I’m increasingly negative about these gimmicks.
I mentioned this on another blog post–why two sinks? IRL we have a blow dryer, brush, hair spray, make up etc out when getting ready. where will these be when using them? Possibly in one of the sinks? There isn’t much counter space at all for real life.
Also where is the outlet? Will the blow dryer cord have to drape over the sink?
Much rather have counter space than two sinks.
Totally with you, Karen. It’s not clear to me why you would want two sinks? How often, especially at a vacation house where schedules are lax, are 2 people using the sing at the same time? It feels cramped. I would much rather have the counter space.
2 things: the door to the bathroom needs to OPEN INTO THE BEDROOM. way too congested, otherwise.
hate the mirror!! sorry!
All of the “vibrant polished brass” kohler fixtures I’ve clicked on so far don’t actually have that finish option on the product page. Where are you finding that finish?
As part of her partnership with Kohler, she got to preview their finish to order program. So, she got to personalize select faucets by choosing the style and then the finish of her choice. Then, the faucets are made to order. Check out the finish to order program if you can!
That finish is the only part I don’t like. Bright brass? Not a fan. Thanks for sharing the design process, though.
Speaking as someone who owns a cabin (literally a log cabin) I’m chiming in to say that not every single room and thing in a cabin has to scream cabin. It’s nice to have some non-cabiny areas. My only thing about this bathroom being so fancy in a cabin is that you’re going to want to change up your regular house bathroom because this one is so nice!
I like the loo wall – you can talk to your spouse while you’re peeing and they’re brushing their teeth but maintain a little of that magic – it’s 10-yr marriage realistic magic. Yes, I’m peeing with you in the room – but you can’t see me! 😉
I do think all of those brass circles for steam/speakers/whatever in the shower looks a little busy – I’d love for those to not be brass. But whatever – it’s not my house.
Great insight from a cabin owner! Thanks.
Beautiful! I like the layers of texture and how everything complements each other. Perhaps move the loo roll holder to the opposite wall so that you can’t see it as much? (on the right when sitting on the loo)
Our master bath has a wall exactly like that between vanity and toilet. It’s a non-issue. In real life, you cant stand back far enough to see a pulled back view. Within the size of the bathroom, I like our wall. I’ve seen a model of our exact house and there’s a knee wall (is that the right word? Pony wall? Half wall?) there and it draws more attn than a full wall does. And doesn’t the wall have to be there anyway to support the vanity?
I love the MTN view!!
Hi,
I think it’s all great. I don’t miss the pebbles and the slate seems to work. It’s a bit super white and could use some wood accents. My only question is about the floor plan and then the 3D rendering. The floor plan shows the door swinging right going into the room and the glass wall of the shower is directly in front of you when you enter. However, the 3D rendering (the final version with a shot out of the bathroom into the bedroom) shows the entry door swinging left when you come in and then some drywall between the door and the shower. It suggests that there is more room in this area, whereas the floor plan shows a more squished entrance to the bathroom with the shower door almost overlapping entry door. Has there been a change to the walls? doors? Thanks for all of the drawings.
This is all super gorgeous! I think the slate is a much better flooring option. Here are my thoughts/questions: (1) Have you considered changing the towel rings at the vanity to an option that would by symmetrical? It would drive me nuts to have them facing opposite directions. (2) The light in the water closet seems out of place and too rustic for this design. Maybe the designer of the overhead light has a coordinating but not too matchy-matchy option for that space? (3) Where are the water controls inside the shower? Maybe that digital panel does it externally but my concern would be having to get all wet to turn the water on, depending on where the controls are located. I cannot tell from the renderings. (4) Based on where the window is over the tub and the window in the adjacent room, is there enough privacy? Should the window over the tub be frosted? Currently, it seems like you could see naked people in the bathroom from other rooms of the house or outside, so just something to consider! Finally, I am not sure if this aesthetic is right for the master bedroom, but we recently installed the… Read more »
I’m with Team “THANK G*D FOR THE SLATE.” Clean, beautiful and ages well, as honest materials do best. (Pebbles might read as “honest” materials at first; but to me they give carry a whiff of simulated integrity rather than the thing itself. I digress.) Love the Cle tile which I imagine adds texture & interest in real life that we aren’t fully able to appreciate on the rendering. Again, not as worried as some that the all white room is sterile, especially after the ceiling installation, which you indicate is textured and charming. That said, I endorse the suggestion to mix it up with your overly symmetrical vanity. I like the idea of replacing one towel ring with a an interesting surprising accessory that introduces a natural element, exquisite craftsmanship or both. Finally about the loo – IMO, whenever you have room to screen a toilet, you should do that. It’s a good thing so don’t be deterred by that hesitation. I presume you chose a tank less toilet partly for the shorter dimension so your depth lines up with the privacy screen. I find it European and smart and I don’t sense an institutional rest stop at all with… Read more »
Thanks so much for chiming in. That lantern is definitely winning as the least favorite. It is SO much better in person than any of these images and really bounces the light! But interesting so many don’t like the ‘literal’ lantern vibe. As far as symmetry, that’s an easy change! Thanks for the feedback.
This is probably blasphemous but I’m really over brass.
Agreed… sorry Emily and team!
I don’t really have a problem with the changes themselves but I’m not really loving the new design as much. And the thing is, I feel like I really should because like … come on… that whole tub situation is just to die for. But the whole thing feels kinda .. safe? It speaks more to your old english cottage/traditional with a modern spin and sorta looks like it would go well in Emily’s house but not so much your Scandinavian rustic mountain chalet. Thats just the feeling I’m getting from it. It might be the light fixtures? I’m sorry, I’m finding it kinda dull now where as before I was really excited. The tiles themselves I actually like on their own and for some other purpose but the combo in its entirety for this house just isn’t very exciting. Maybe in real life it’ll be better? Theres also something about the 3d rendering, that I can’t put my finger on but feels a little awkward to me. I was wondering if it would be possible to switch the shower and toilet because I feel like when you get up in the middle of the night you might not want… Read more »