A Hotel-Inspired Primary Bath Sanctuary Blends His-and-Her Styles
In the sanctuary of a luxury hotel, time slows down. The absence of distractions, the solitude, and the spacious surroundings create a welcoming space for reflection and relaxation. For many, it’s the entire allure of staying in a luxury hotel – the promise of sanctuary.
This concept inspired Southern California-based Heather Ball Interiors to design a primary bath retreat that offers the tranquility and sense of escape most often found in the five-star world.
As the 20+-year design veteran recalls, the project was a whole house renovation for an 8,000 square-foot residence in South Orange County. The residence was set in “a private utopia with lots of land,” so part of Ball’s mission was to marry this natural feeing of sanctuary and openness with all of the luxuries of a hotel spa experience in the primary bath.
To enhance the space and create a true wellness retreat, Ball’s team expanded the bathroom’s footprint by incorporating extra square footage from an adjacent bath space and converting it to a sauna and steam shower area. This allowed them to create a more comprehensive health and wellness space for the clients. A new freestanding tub was positioned in an angled alcove set away from the shower and sauna, giving it a sense of separation from the rest of the bath.
For the tub, Ball opted for the elegant fluted silhouette of Hydro Systems’ Michelangelo, measuring 66 inches wide. “The tub complemented the transitional style of the home,” says Ball. “The husband’s style was modern and the wife’s style was traditional, so this allowed them to merge their two styles together.” A marble mosaic floor, brass fixtures by Brizo and cabinet hardware veered towards contemporary, yet the cabinet style was traditional. The Michelangelo tub connected all of these elements together, allowing the design team to create “this dance between the two energies,” says Ball. The feminine lines of the tub, reminiscent of classical Renaissance architecture, also served as a counterpoint to some of the more streamlined touches.
Eager to curate an environment tailored to the homeowners’ aspirations, warm-toned porcelain slabs from Bedrosians adorned the steam shower, radiating a sense of calm and rejuvenation throughout. “This was going to be her healthcare sanctuary for her and her husband,” says Ball. “He had a very stressful job, so they wanted a space to relax and unwind.”
Much like a luxury hotel or spa, the dream bath space was envisioned as a private refuge from the demands of daily life, a sanctuary where the homeowners could find solace and reprieve from the stresses of the outside world.
Photos: Molly Rose Photography
