built-in baths

DESIGNERS ARE FOREGOING FREESTANDING TUBS AND USING SLEEK BUILT-INS TO MAKE THE BEST USE OF SPACE

- Hugh Metcalf

1 TURN TO STONE

If tiles aren’t luxe enough for your bathroom, consider using marble and other natural stones to clad a built-in bath to elevate the look. ‘We are seeing more of an interest in marble for bathtubs. The natural surface movement and veining in the marble accentuates the shape of the tub and brings a sense of history to the design.’ 

Barbara Sellick, founder and director of Waterworks

2 TOTALLY TILE

For a Los Angeles home, the designers at Working Holiday Studio used the same green tiles across the walls, floors and the built-in bath panel and sides, reducing the materiality of the space. 'We consider ourselves somewhat minimalists and for this project specifically we wanted to embrace the monochromatic look as we wanted to create a serene space throughout the house. We usually prefer a built-in tub. We think it's more comfortable and we like the tile to be the "hero" of each one of our bathroom projects.'

Carlos Naude, co-founder of Working Holiday Studio

3 MATERIAL MATTERS 

For a modern, minimal space, architect Richard Huxley used Moroccan plaster Tadelakt for the walls, vanity and even built-in bath for a small bathroom. 'The brief for the bathroom aesthetically was to create a space with a sense of relaxed luxury with a focus on natural, artisanal finishes. Tadelakt lime render was specified for the walls and bespoke bath to limit the palette of finishes in order to allow conversation between the texture and tonality of marble, travertine and Tadelakt to take place.'

Richard Huxley, founder of Huxley Architects

4 ISPAN THE WIDTH