Kitchen & Bath Business - September 2018 - 45

CONNECTED TO LUXURY

Master bath goes
high-tech for
two jet-setting
homeowners

BEST

SMART

LEFT The satin, onyx-finished

DESIGN

vanities in the master bath are
accented with a wall of mirrors
with elongated LED lights,
internal plug strips and flip-out
plugs.
The wet room, which includes
the steam shower and passthrough shower, features
large-format porcelain tiles
and glass mosaics.

SOURCES
A TEXAS COUPLE WANTED A MODERN MASTER BATH with a variety of tech

options to create a tranquil, spa-like oasis and wellness center.
"We incorporated aromatherapy, chromotherapy and a digital toilet - all
amenities to end one's day on a relaxed note with exquisite custom features
to add luxury and drama," said designer Faye Nielsen of Irving,Texas-based
The Nielsen Collection of Interiors."We understood their vision of designing
a sleek, contemporary spa, likened to that of the many high-end hotels they
have enjoyed throughout their travels."
SOOTHING THERAPIES

Because her clients desired space that incorporated health and wellness, the
designer researched two kinds of soothing therapies she could include in the
steam shower, which is connected to a pass-through shower. The chromotherapy system, which uses a variety of LED lights and colors that affect different physiological aspects of the body, was installed under the ergonomically
designed, solid surface seating in the steam shower.The aromatherapy portion
diffuses warm essential oils that permeate the steam shower and are directed
to certain wellness issues, such as migraines and life's everyday stresses.
"A suspended glass ceiling in the steam area is designed to not only reflect
the needed height requirements but to also serve as a decorative feature - allowing views of the mosaic ceiling - while metal disks mimicking bubbles
camouflage speaker wires," explained Nielsen.
SMART ELEMENTS

Just like the rest of the house, the 329-sq.-ft. master bathroom is operated by
a Control 4 smart system, including the music and temperature settings. If
the clients want to start the shower from the kitchen or anywhere else in the
home, they can do that with the touch of a keypad.
According to Eric Becker of Automation Integration, who collaborated
with the design firm, the master bath incorporated three Control 4 keypads
and a 10-in. touchscreen. From the keypads, the homeowners can control the
lighting, HVAC system, television and the three zones of audio, including the
invisible speakers in the shower and sauna.
"From a single press of a button by the door in the morning, the music,
television and lighting all come on to the owners' preset selections for the
perfect experience every time," he added.
The water closet houses a urinal and a digital toilet, which is also operated
and programmable from a keypad. It offers heated air to the user and can
automatically open, close, flush and clean itself.

DESIGNER: Faye Nielsen,
The Nielsen Collection of
Interiors; FABRICATORS:
Escobedo Designs,
Fastlane Metal Works
& Goodall Indus.;
PHOTOGRAPHER:

Christi Nielsen

ACRYLIC SEAT: E&D
Plastics; AUTOMATION
INTEGRATION: Control
4; BAR FAUCET: Franke;

CABINETRY, TILE, VANITY
FAUCETS & SHOWER

FIXTURES: Porcelanosa;
COUNTERTOPS,
DECORATIVE STOOL &
STEAM SHOWER SEATS:

Systempool; FABRIC:
Kravet; FLIP-OUT PLUGS:
LeGrand; GLASS &
MIRRORS: Fashion Glass
and Mirror; K-CUP HOLDER
AND INTERNAL CABINET
COMPARTMENTS: Rev-

A-Shelf; LED MIRROR
LIGHTS: Sonneman;
LIGHTING: Cooper
Lighting, Nora Lighting,
Nur Lighting & Sonneman;
REFRIGERATION: Marvel;
STEAM SHOWER:

Thermasol; TOILET:
KOHLER; TRASH PULLOUT:
Häfele; TV: Samsung;
VENTILATION: Panasonic

OVERCOMING CHALLENGES

According to the designer, the steam shower
height restrictions proved very challenging, and
lowering the ceiling was not an option. The solution was to fabricate a dropped metal/glass ceiling.
"The slab-size, textured wall tile made it difficult to produce a suspended frame to hold the
glass with a proper seal," she explained. "After installation, gaps around the metal frame created a
wavy appearance, especially visible with the LED
lights on the suspended glass. Promate 3 metal
trim was installed to create a visual straight line
along the not-so-plumb walls, and clear silicone
was applied and tested for air tightness."
There were also some challenges with the glass
ceiling installation for the combination shower/
steam shower - a pass-through from one to the other.
"The first attempt at installing two parallel, tempered-glass panels for the suspended ceiling failed,
as those were too large to slide in from the shower
side and broke with the first bend," said Nielsen,
who explained that she had to fabricate another
cross bar and redesign the glass into four parts.  
With the installation of the steam shower,
the team had to cover up five windows without
changing the home's exterior. According to the
designer, the mirror-like finish of the glass helped
conceal the fact that the windows were covered up
on the interior side.
When working on a high-tech project like this
bathroom, it is important to work with a licensed
and knowledgeable professional. Because the
owner had already begun with Becker for the rest
of the house, Nielsen said it was incredibly easy
to integrate automation through his expertise for
this master bath.
"Technology is ever changing and not always
a part of the design that can be seen," said Chris
Loughney, of this year's judges. "With this beautifully imagined transformation, you are able to see
and use the technology created in this space." 

45
Kitchen & Bath Business - September 2018

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