Baths · Project story

The RUSTIC

This primary bath was remodeled around natural stone and warm wood, with the tub set into a stacked stone alcove beneath a fireplace.

Bathroom Remodel
Primary Bath
Tub Alcove
Walk-in Shower

Chapter 1: The Concept

The idea for this primary bath came together on two concept boards: stacked stone, travertine, copper toned glass, and a tub tucked into a stone alcove, lit by candles and a fireplace.

Construction began in the spring of 2020. The walls were opened, the shower was framed and waterproofed, and the tub was set into its alcove with the fireplace opening framed above it.

During construction: the shower framed in studs around an octagon window, with a new shower pan on the floor. — During

During construction: the white tub set into its alcove, with the opening for the fireplace framed in the wall above. — During

Chapter 2: The Plan

The layout puts a double vanity along one long wall, with a walk-in shower, a separate toilet room, and the tub in its own alcove.

A 3D view tested the alcove before construction, with stacked stone wrapping the tub, a fireplace in the wall above it, and dark tile lining the shower.

Floor plan of the primary bath: a double vanity along the left wall, a shower and an enclosed toilet room across the top, and the tub in an alcove on the right.

3D design view looking down into the bath: a dark tiled shower with a window and a mosaic floor, travertine floor tile, and the tub in an arched stone alcove under a fireplace.

Chapter 3: The Details

Stacked stone wraps the tub alcove and runs as a backsplash behind the vanity. A narrow band of stone and slate mosaic, with copper toned strips, runs up the vanity wall, the shower and the back of the alcove, and down the front of the tub. The shower is lined in dark slate look tile. Above the tub, a fireplace insert sits in a wall of dark tile, with copper glass mosaic behind the flames and a wood beam mantel above.

Concept board: a white rectangular tub, a wall fireplace, stacked stone, a stone and slate mosaic and a copper glass mosaic, with inspiration photos of tubs in stone and copper settings.

Concept board: a matte black shower set with a rain head, body sprays and hand shower, dark slate look tile, the stone and slate mosaic, the copper glass mosaic, travertine floor tile and its four size pattern layout.

The Floor Pattern

The travertine floor is laid in a Versailles pattern, four tile sizes numbered 1 to 4 on the layout. The mix of large and small pieces gives the floor the look of old stone.

White rectangular drop-in tub — Specifications

Chapter 4: By Candlelight

In the evening the alcove is lit by candles along the stone, the fireplace above the tub, and a crystal pendant overhead.

At the vanity, wood framed mirrors and black sconces hang on a deep green wall above the stone backsplash, with the mosaic band running up between the sinks.

The finished tub alcove: stacked stone walls, a crystal pendant in a black cube frame, a wood beam mantel over dark tile and the fireplace, and a band of stone and slate mosaic down the front of the tub.

The vanity wall: a dark wood double vanity with vessel sinks and black faucets, wood framed mirrors and black sconces on a deep green wall, a stacked stone backsplash and a band of mosaic between the sinks.

The walk-in shower in dark slate look tile with a bench, a rain head and a mosaic band, beside the doorway to the toilet room.

The tub alcove by candlelight, with the fireplace lit and candles glowing on wood blocks along the stone walls.

The vanity seen from the side: a wood framed mirror and black sconces on the green wall, the stone and slate mosaic band, and the dark glass shower door beyond.

A wood paneled door beside a textured plaster wall with leaf impressions, the stacked stone alcove at left, and a wicker hamper on the travertine floor.