Bring on the Bling | Fall Bath Remodeling Report

A Marble Moment

For the past several years, Abigail Rizor has designed primary bathrooms that leaned toward simplicity, with clean lines and restrained palettes and finishes defining the look. Now, however, her clients are showing renewed interest in spaces that feel more individual and indulgent.

"I've been in the design industry long enough to see the pendulum swing," says the partner/head designer with Wolfe-Rizor Interiors in Winter Park, FL. "For a long time, spaces were relatively plain with solid colors and minimal pattern. Now we're seeing a reaction to that simplicity with designs becoming more ornate."

With an ever-expanding selection of tile, decorative lighting, expressive plumbing fixtures and natural stone, Rizor finds more opportunities than ever to give a bathroom a glamorous personality.

"Most of my clients prefer a timeless aesthetic, so rather than follow any particular trend, I find it's more about creating spaces with enough character to feel special while still standing the test of time," she remarks. "However, when someone wants to add a bit of glam, it can come from a number of sources, including tile, lighting and cabinetry. Porcelain is becoming very popular, but natural stone is also once again gaining favor as homeowners have become more willing to invest in materials such as marble. And there are beautiful plumbing fixtures with more intricate details and finishes in almost every price point nowadays."

Several of these elements were used to elevate a recently renovated primary bathroom that was part of a gut renovation of the entire home. Her clients wanted a space that felt glamorous, so the designer established a relatively neutral foundation that allows the more decorative elements to shine.

Calacatta Viola marble provides the biggest dose of drama. Multiple slabs clad several walls, including those behind the tub, on the vanity wall and in the shower where they envelop the homeowners in the stone's bold veining and natural variation. As well, the designer repeated the marble as the countertop where it furthers its striking presence.

"The marble is very special and it really elevates the bathroom," she stresses. "To use it this extensively isn't inexpensive, but my client had a vision, and she was willing to pay for it."

Lighting and plumbing fixtures add another layer of glamour. In particular, the ornate pendant adds instant sparkle via its abundance of clear crystals that bounce light around the room. Its gold interior ring matches the wall sconces, the cabinetry hardware and the plumbing fixtures that include a pair of wall-mount vanity faucets, a tub filler and body sprays and jets that accompany dual showerheads in the shower.

An expansive glass panel separates the tub and shower, the latter of which features a 'dry' zone with a bench and a porcelain tile floor that resembles oak and extends into the vanity area. The rest of the floor features 2"x2" Calacatta Viola marble that matches the walls.

"The materials and details in the bathroom are decidedly luxurious, without being overly ornate," Rizor indicates. "It's a space that feels glamorous today, but will remain beautiful for years to come."

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