Bathing Beauty: Replacing the built-in bath with a sculptural floating tub from Signature Hardware and freestanding tub filler transformed this bathroom from blah to spa.
A Kiawah Island retreat gets a smart, stylish, and luxurious upgrade
Written By Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
Photographs By Julia Lynn & Keen Eye Marketing
When Elizabeth Stuart’s clients bought this home on Kiawah Island, the family of four was seeking a retreat from their busy lives, a place to relax and unwind. “The family works super hard, and this home is meant to be their place to fall off the grid, relax, play, and have fun,” says Stuart. Which means the bathrooms in the 5,000-square-foot, four-bedroom, sixand-a-half-bath home needed to be a step above being a place to get clean—they needed it to be spa-like.
The first priority was to jettison the ’80s-style built-in jet tub and swap it out for something more luxurious and stylish. “We wanted to give it some pizazz, so we floated a freestanding bathtub on classic tile and centered it so that the window views created a tree-house effect,” says Stuart. A colorful Roman shade over the large picture window provides hints of purple and pops of yellow on a green and ivory background, mimicking the natural scene beyond. “Time in this tub creates exposure to the outdoors while feeling private,” says the designer.
The rest of the space was reconfigured to feel more refined, including adding a glassencased shower with white subway tile walls and replacing the seated vanity with more practical double sinks nestled in soft gray cabinets and flanked by elegant wall sconces.
KEY CHANGES
1. SOAK IT IN
Updated all the fixtures, including a freestanding soaker tub.
2. FIND YOUR BLISS
Reconfigured the layout to feel more spa-like.
3. NATURAL INSTINCTS
Replaced the wooden blinds with a natureinspired Roman shade.
4. JAZZ IT UP
Added drama and interest with a monochromatic floor tile.
5. CLEAN LINES
Replaced the vanity and painted it Farrow & Ball “Elephant’s Breath” gray.
