Kitchens & Baths
Now and Zen
A Fremont bathroom goes from the '80s to the 21st century in record time.

Whoever said your home is your haven hadn't seen John Vecheys master bathroom two years ago. A tub that leaked into the kitchen below, windows that seeped cold air and tile that always looked dirty were just a few of the problems. "It was just plain ugly," says interior designer Christine Colman, of Design In Time.

The space was beyond a superficial makeover, so Vechey, a computer executive, called in the experts--Colman and contractor Tom Boyd, of TAB Renovations--to do a complete overhaul.

And these experts didn't hold back; they removed everything: the tub, sink, cabinets, flooring. Most importantly, they nixed the gray, black and gold 1980s motif, giving Colman a clean slate on which to design.

Vechey's only criteria? Serenity.

Because so much time is spent in this space, the owner wanted his bathroom to evoke a "serene, spalike" feeling, Colman says, to be "a calm place where he could start and end the day."

The springboard for her design was a pale green glass bowl sink; its color and simplicity served as inspiration for the rest of the room.

To complement the color and material of the sink, Colman created a backsplash from beach-glass tiles in varying shades of green. The walnut color of the travertine countertop--also used on the floors and in the shower and bath surround--warms the room while creating an organic feel, which is furthered by the sporadically placed floor tiles made of green-hued stones.

"John has a beautiful view from the bathroom window," Colman says, "so I wanted to evoke the feeling of bringing the outdoors in with the use of colors and materials."

The soft tones were strategically offset by bold espresso-wood cabinetry and matching window frames. "It adds a nice contrast to the soft tones and evokes a serene feeling for the room," Colman notes.

Other additions include a soaking tub, an extra-large glass shower (to accommodate the 6-foot-something homeowner), a heated towel rack and light dimmers. Custom cabinets include a pull-out hamper and feature space for a TV and stereo.

But all that functionality is a mere bonus to the aesthetic transformation this remodel accomplished. "It turned out just as I had hoped," Vechey says. "From the use of the tree outside the window to the relaxing feeling of dimming the lights during a bath, it all really works together nicely."

From a cold, tacky '80s motif to a serenity-inducing, spalike space, this bathroom has truly become this homeowner's haven.

Allison Lind is the assistant editor for Seattle Homes & Lifestyles.