For a Bethesda-area couple, a master-bath addition was just another step in the architectural evolution of their rambling 1950s vintage brick rancher located in Kenwood. The couple had previously tackled a major kitchen and family room addition before deciding to add a luxurious master bed/bath suite. According to their architect, Joan Fabry, one of the objectives for the new 1,800-square-foot addition was to provide a private getaway that would incorporate a master bath, bedroom, his and her dressing rooms, separate his and her baths, a powder room and a small study. The couple turned to Chris Corcoran of Corcoran Builders to execute the build-out.
The resulting dramatic, eclectic design places the master bath in center stage. Set into a gray-green, granite-topped platform, the rectangular tub is flooded with natural light that streams in through three windows featuring decorative detail. An overhead rectangular skylight offers additional natural illumination. The homeowners selected a fill valve that is set into a ceramic tile block in a gray-green tone. The same, oversized tiles complement the tub surround and are applied to both walls and floors. “We wanted to keep a very neutral palette in the bath space to achieve a restful feel,” says the wife. Decorative aqua-colored glass tile insets provide a splash of color. The horizontal design is continued onto the textured, opaque shower enclosure. “The entire suite design was all about creating a place that would offer my husband and me a retreat from our busy, professional lives—a space that truly defines relaxation.”
DESIGN: Joan Fabry, AIA, and Dana Short, Fabry Associates, Washington DC. CONSTRUCTION: Chris Corcoran, Corcoran Builders, Rockville, Maryland.
RESOURCES: Stone: Stone Works. Plumbing: Kohler, VitraForm, Sigma, Hansgrohe. Tile: Echo Canyon. Tile Installation: Jarboe & Sons.
