Design Elements

DESIGN ELEMENTS Soak It In

By Andrea Smith photos by Lisa mitchell/photographie by Li

This master bathroom provides a luxurious rise-and-shine experience anyone – morning person or not – could look forward to each day.

“It started with centering the door to create our focal point that you see first thing when you wake up in the morning,” says Janelle Helms, a designer at Brentwood-based Karr Bick Kitchen + Bath. “We achieved this by relocating the doorway and installing tall walnut linen cabinets on either side of the entryway.”

From the bedroom to the bathroom, a boldpatterned, black-and-white marble floor tile guides the eye to a free-standing tub resting under the window, which boasts a glossy, reflective black finish and brass accents.

Deep green wainscot paneling lines the room, interrupted by honed marble counters and shower walls with polished gold plumbing.

“Using marble slabs for the shower walls created drama without competing with the blackand-white marble floor,” Helms describes. “The rich walnut cabinets and center door add warmth to the cooler materials in the bathroom.”

Karr Bick owner Jenny Rausch points out the whimsical wallpaper in the toilet closet as another element that brings warmth to the space in an unexpected way. “It takes someone who does this all the time – who sees these bathrooms and all the parts and pieces put together – to help you make some of these bolder decisions,” she notes in a blog post about Helms’ design.

Helms worked with this client on a previous project and had developed a familiarity with the client’s design aesthetic and preferences. She says the master bathroom was part of an early 2000s addition to a 1929 home in Webster Groves, so it needed updating to match the rest of the residence and the homeowner’s style.

“My client wanted it to reflect the history and character of the rest of the home,” Helms elaborates. “She wanted it to feel classic but still be updated with all of today’s amenities.”

Helms says this became an especially memorable project because it was the last one she worked on before taking maternity leave. “I actually finished ordering all of [the client’s] materials on the same morning that I went to the hospital in the evening to have my baby,” she relates. “It ended up being perfect timing because construction started on her project right when I was returning from my maternity leave, so I was able to be around from start to finish.” ln Karr Bick Kitchen + Bath, 2715 Mercantile Drive, Brentwood, 314-645-6545, karrbick.com