Some renovations change how a space looks. Others change how it lives.
When I joined this project, architect Martha Klinefelter of MK Design had already reworked the master bathroom’s architecture — transforming what had long been a dark, awkwardly scaled room into one with clarity and flow. Her revised plan introduced light and intention. My role was to build upon that framework, shaping the material palette and interior detailing to bring warmth, cohesion, and personality.
The result is a complete transformation.
Architecture as Foundation
The original bathroom felt visually heavy and uncomfortable despite its ten-foot ceilings. Light was limited, circulation felt awkward, and the scale never quite resolved.
Martha’s architectural interventions reshaped the experience of the room. A central skylight now floods the space with natural light, softening shadows and animating surfaces throughout the day. Arched openings create defined yet connected zones for daily ritual, introducing rhythm and warmth while addressing scale.
The shower, thoughtfully tucked beneath the main staircase, takes advantage of a lower ceiling to create intimacy and improve heat retention. Each architectural move serves both comfort and clarity.
Strong bones made intentional layering possible.
Material with Integrity
With the structure resolved, the interiors were designed to reinforce its quiet strength.
Natural oak cabinetry grounds the room with warmth and subtle texture. Refined fluted detailing adds dimension without excess. White marble with subtle blue and warm accents was selected for its movement and luminosity — brightening the space while maintaining softness.
Unlacquered brass fixtures introduce a living finish that will patina over time, ensuring the room evolves gracefully.
Nothing feels imposed. Everything feels considered.
Color as Atmosphere
The layered blue palette animates the architecture without competing with it.
Patterned wallpaper wraps the vanity wall and ceiling line, drawing the eye upward and reinforcing verticality. Rather than decorative flourish, it becomes part of the framework — enhancing height while introducing personality.
The existing window was reimagined as part of a built-in seating area flanked by custom storage. Tailored café curtains soften the light, balancing the graphic quality of the pattern with ease.
Color here is intentional — grounding the room in calm while keeping it alive.
Designed for Daily Ritual
Luxury reveals itself in experience.
The built-in window seat offers concealed storage and a moment of pause within a room often defined by movement. Layered lighting — skylight above, sconces at the vanity, ambient overhead — allows the space to transition seamlessly from morning ritual to evening retreat.
Beauty and function were never separate conversations.
A Collaborative Transformation
This project reflects what is possible when architecture and interiors are conceived in dialogue. Martha’s thoughtful reworking of light, scale, and flow established the foundation. The interiors were layered to bring warmth, cohesion, and individuality.
What was once dark and awkward is now luminous, serene, and balanced — a master bathroom that feels both open and intimate.
Not simply renovated.
Thoughtfully reimagined.
