Embarking on the design journey of Wabi Sabi Refuge, I immersed myself in the profound quest for tranquility and harmony. This project became a testament to the pursuit of a tranquil haven that stirs a deep sense of calm within. Guided by the essence of wabi-sabi, my intention was to curate Wabi Sabi Refuge as a sacred space that nurtures an ethereal atmosphere, summoning a sincere connection with the surrounding world. Deliberate choices of muted hues and minimalist elements foster an environment of uncluttered serenity, encouraging introspection and contemplation. Embracing the innate imperfections and distinctive qualities of the carefully selected materials and objects added an exquisite touch of organic allure, instilling an authentic reverence for the beauty inherent in nature's creations. Wabi Sabi Refuge serves as a sanctuary, an evocative invitation for visitors to embrace the sublime simplicity, find solace in the imperfect, and uncover the profound and tranquil beauty that wabi-sabi unveils.

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary 3/4 bathroom in Sacramento with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, an alcove shower, a one-piece toilet, beige tile, cement tile, white walls, porcelain floors, an undermount sink, engineered quartz benchtops, beige floor, a hinged shower door, blue benchtops, an enclosed toilet, a double vanity and a floating vanity.

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary 3/4 bathroom in New York with a wall-mount toilet, grey walls, flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, an alcove shower, gray tile, cement tile, cement tiles, a trough sink, concrete benchtops, grey floor and a hinged shower door.

This medium-sized bathroom had ample space to create a luxurious bathroom for this young professional couple with 3 young children. My clients really wanted a place to unplug and relax where they could retreat and recharge. New cabinets were a must with customized interiors to reduce cluttered countertops and make morning routines easier and more organized. We selected Hale Navy for the painted finish with an upscale recessed panel door. Honey bronze hardware is a nice contrast to the navy paint instead of an expected brushed silver. For storage, a grooming center to organize hair dryer, curling iron and brushes keeps everything in place for morning routines. On the opposite, a pull-out organizer outfitted with trays for smaller personal items keeps everything at the fingertips. I included a pull-out hamper to keep laundry and towels off the floor. Another design detail I like to include is drawers in the sink cabinets. It is much better to have drawers notched for the plumbing when organizing bathroom products instead of filling up a large base cabinet. The room already had beautiful windows and was bathed in natural light from an existing skylight. I enhanced the natural lighting with some recessed can lights, a light in the shower as well as sconces around the mirrored medicine cabinets. The best thing about the medicine cabinets is not only the additional storage but when both doors are opened you can see the back of your head. The inside of the cabinet doors are mirrored. Honey Bronze sconces are perfect lighting at the vanity for makeup and shaving. A larger shower for my very tall client with a built-in bench was a priority for this bathroom. I recommend stream showers whenever designing a bathroom and my client loved the idea of that feature as a surprise for his wife. Steam adds to the wellness and health aspect of any good bathroom design. We were able to access a small closet space just behind the shower a perfect spot for the steam unit. In addition to the steam, a handheld shower is another “standard” item in our shower designs. I like to locate these near a bench so you can sit while you target sore shoulder and back muscles. Another benefit is the cleanability of the shower walls and being able to take a quick shower without getting your hair wet. The slide bar is just the thing to accommodate different heights. For Mrs., a tub for soaking and relaxing were the main ingredients required for this remodel. Here I specified a Bain Ultra freestanding tub complete with air massage, chromatherapy, and a heated backrest. The tub filer is floor mounted and adds another element of elegance to the bath. I located the tub in a bay window so the bather can enjoy the beautiful view out of the window. It is also a great way to relax after a round of golf. Either way, both of my clients can enjoy the benefits of this tub. The tiles selected for the shower and the lower walls of the bathroom are slightly oversized subway tiles in a clean and bright white. The floors are 12x24 porcelain marble. The shower floor features a flat-cut marble pebble tile. Behind the vanity, the wall is tiled with Zellige tile in a herringbone pattern. The colors of the tile connect all the colors used in the bath. The final touches of elegance and luxury to complete our design, are the soft lilac paint on the walls, the mix of metal materials on the faucets, cabinet hardware, lighting, and yes, an oversized heated towel warmer complete with robe hooks. This truly is a space for rejuvenation and wellness.

Rustic mountain home with a clean and simple contemporary bathroom.
Design ideas for a large contemporary master bathroom in Other with flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, cement tile, white walls, cement tiles, a vessel sink and wood benchtops.

Master Bathroom
Inspiration for a mid-sized mediterranean master bathroom in Los Angeles with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, a freestanding tub, a one-piece toilet, blue tile, cement tile, white walls, ceramic floors, an undermount sink, marble benchtops, blue floor, white benchtops, a shower seat, a double vanity, a built-in vanity and vaulted.

The master bath with its free standing tub and open shower. The separate vanities allow for ease of use and the shiplap adds texture to the otherwise white space.

(c) büro13 architekten, Xpress/ Rolf Walter
Photo of a mid-sized contemporary 3/4 bathroom in Berlin with a curbless shower, open cabinets, white cabinets, a drop-in tub, a wall-mount toilet, cement tile, green walls, mosaic tile floors, a wall-mount sink, concrete benchtops, multi-coloured floor and an open shower.

Edge Commercial Photography
This is an example of a large contemporary master bathroom in Newcastle - Maitland with open cabinets, light wood cabinets, a corner shower, cement tile, grey walls, ceramic floors, wood benchtops and grey floor.

Glen Graves
Design ideas for a large contemporary master bathroom in San Francisco with an undermount tub, a corner shower, gray tile, cement tile, grey walls and a hinged shower door.

This is an example of a small traditional 3/4 bathroom in Milan with raised-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, a wall-mount toilet, beige tile, cement tile, beige walls, ceramic floors, a vessel sink, solid surface benchtops, white floor, a sliding shower screen, white benchtops, a niche, a single vanity and a freestanding vanity.

Photo of a large contemporary master bathroom in Other with shaker cabinets, medium wood cabinets, an alcove tub, a corner shower, a two-piece toilet, gray tile, cement tile, grey walls, porcelain floors, an undermount sink, solid surface benchtops, multi-coloured floor, a hinged shower door, multi-coloured benchtops, a shower seat, a double vanity and a built-in vanity.

Teak floored shower
This is an example of a large country bathroom in New York with a console sink, light wood cabinets, wood benchtops, an open shower, a wall-mount toilet, gray tile, cement tile, grey walls, dark hardwood floors, an open shower and brown benchtops.

Open to the Primary Bedroom & per the architect, the new floor plan of the en suite bathroom & closet features a strikingly bold cement tile design both in pattern and color, dual sinks, steam shower with a built-in bench, and a separate WC.

This is an example of a large modern 3/4 bathroom in Dusseldorf with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, a curbless shower, gray tile, cement tile, grey walls, concrete floors, an integrated sink, solid surface benchtops, grey floor, an open shower and white benchtops.

Expansive transitional master bathroom in Houston with recessed-panel cabinets, brown cabinets, a freestanding tub, a shower/bathtub combo, gray tile, cement tile, grey walls, ceramic floors, an undermount sink, marble benchtops, white floor, a hinged shower door, grey benchtops, a double vanity, a built-in vanity and recessed.

Small contemporary master bathroom in Melbourne with flat-panel cabinets, brown cabinets, a corner shower, a one-piece toilet, white tile, cement tile, porcelain floors, a console sink, engineered quartz benchtops, grey floor, a hinged shower door, white benchtops, a niche, a single vanity and a floating vanity.

This is an example of an expansive asian master bathroom in San Diego with an open shower, an open shower, flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, a japanese tub, a one-piece toilet, gray tile, cement tile, white walls, concrete floors, a trough sink, wood benchtops and grey floor.

Design ideas for an expansive eclectic master bathroom in Denver with furniture-like cabinets, blue cabinets, a freestanding tub, a double shower, cement tile, engineered quartz benchtops, a hinged shower door, white benchtops, a double vanity, a built-in vanity and planked wall panelling.