Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - 72

Tech Savvy

SOURCES
DESIGNER: Jamie
Nicholas, Jamie Florence
Designs;
PHOTOGRAPHER: Eric Roth
COUNTERS: Boston
Counters of Woburn,
Mass.; PLUMBING
FIXTURES: Kohler; SHOWER
SYSTEM: Kohler; TILE:
Florida Tile; TUB DECK:
Boston Counters of
Woburn, Mass.; VANITY:
Restoration Hardware

The Customized Bath
A dated master transforms into a modern
space catering to its clients

DIM AND DATED ARE ISSUES FOR MANY DESIGN

projects, but this master bathroom had much further to go before it became the high-tech haven
the clients were looking for.
"The problems with the space started with the
small shower and the dated materials," said designer Jamie Nicholas of Reading, Mass.-based
Jamie Florence Designs. "The tiny shower had a
full-height wall enclosing it, and the toilet area was
also small with another full-height wall shutting
it off from the rest of the space. That back area
was very dark."

ABOVE This streamlined shower

features the Kohler DTV+
Digital Interface showering
system, where showerheads
and spray heads, steam,
lighting and music can be
controlled by a touchscreen.

Along with its high-tech characteristics, the shower uses
linen-textured gray 12-in. by
24-in. tile for walls and flooring
and features a simple shower
recess for soaps and shampoo.

PLANNING THE SPACE

Nicholas started by giving the clients four different layouts to choose from. These included
an open floor plan that incorporated a bigger
shower and the same length tub, which was a client requirement because of their slightly aboveaverage height.

BY ERINN LOUCKS

"They picked the layout that fit their lifestyle best but loved the fact that
they had floor plans to mull over before making any final decisions," said
Nicholas. "I feel that a client deserves to see all viable options - after taking
into consideration their wish list/space constraints and budget before making
any conclusions."
This bathroom needed to also include at least the same amount of storage it
previously held, but increasing the shower size meant some floor space was sacrificed. In the old layout, a closet at the end of the tub was used for towel storage.
With the tub moved to make space for the shower,the closet had to be eliminated.
"There would have been nowhere else to fit folded stacked towels, so I
designed a recess with glass shelves," said Nicholas, adding that the tub deck
is centered on the recess. "This satisfied the storage solution and created a
beautiful focal point in the room."
DIGITAL SHOWER

Hidden behind the wall recess is also a high-tech shower valve, which powers the Kohler DTV + Digital Interface showering system. With a series
of body sprayers, a rain shower, a hand-held and a regular showerhead, the
shower can be completely customized. Showerheads, steam features, lighting
and even music can be controlled by the touchscreen interface inside of the
shower. Each member of the client's family can control the temperature or
preprogram their settings to get their preferred shower components.
"The design of the shower was highly impacted by the selection of the
digital interface," said Nicholas. "We just had to locate the body sprays and
various showerheads at comfortable heights for all who may use this shower."
According to the designer, the biggest challenge in installing the interface was putting the digital thermostatic valve in the recess. The valve must
be within 25 feet of the interface for connectivity purposes - that wasn't a
problem - but it also needed to be on an inside wall. Inside the storage closet,
which they had eliminated from the layout, would have been ideal.

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Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017

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