KBB - May/June 2015 - 22

BEFORE AND AFTER

Aging with Grace in a
Beautiful Bathroom Space
Thoughtless addition is given a dose of form, function and fluidity

The non-slip, radiant-heated tile on the ﬂoors and in the
shower area is textured porcelain made to look like wood.
It is creatively placed in different directions to indicate
movement from one area to the next.

A previous master bathroom addition completed in the 80s was
poorly executed with irregular ceiling heights, dated ﬁxtures and a lack of
heat vents. Accelerating leaks in the shower and tub areas - which were
rendering the space unusable - were the last straw for the homeowners,
who wanted a warmer, cozier, more luxurious space with ample storage.
"The previous design was like a hodge-podge - nothing matched,
and there was no rhythm," said Marlene Wangenheim, AKBD, CAPS, Allied
ASID, owner of Interiors By Design in Morristown, N.J. "In the original layout,
nothing in terms of interior space function and accessibility was taken
into consideration."
Another goal on the homeowners' list was to renovate the space to
accommodate their aging lifestyle so they could remain in the home as
long as they wished.
"They didn't want to the space to be designed as universal; rather
they wanted to be able to age in place comfortably for years to come,"
said Wangenheim, who is also a designer for Tewksbury Kitchens & Baths
in Watchung, N.J. "Various areas in the master bath were designed to be
accessible by a cane, walker or even a wheelchair if that is ever necessary in the future."

Improvements and Goals Achieved

A sound system in the new ceiling is usable
throughout the entire space - even while showering.

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K BB

The space was divided into a main bath area, toilet/bidet room and
ladies' dressing room, and aisle widths were expanded to 36 inches.
* Conquering Irregular Ceiling Heights. According to the designer, the challenges began with existing irregular ceiling heights, angling
and pitching with little thought toward heating or efﬁcient lighting of the
space. Her solution was to add ceiling rafters below the existing rafters,
creating a symmetrical tray ceiling with a maximum height of 10 feet.
Coffered beams were also added to quiet noise and accommodate additional HVAC vents.
* Tub Triumph. The unused, huge, black Jacuzzi tub under the bay
window in the main bath area contained too much useless decking.
Wangenheim replaced the unit with an air-jet tub with functional decking
that includes a custom pull-down hamper on one side and a warming
drawer for towels on the other. The tub was located on the opposite side
of the space and placed on an inside wall. A cushioned seating area
next to the tub allows the clients to comfortably swing their legs into it from
a seated position.
* Shower Success. An old, cracked shower wall was replaced with
a curbless, doorless shower area that can accommodate two people
and/or a wheelchair. It comes complete with a linear drain system and
two sets of on/off valves - one at the shower entrance to use before
getting in and another to operate once inside. The shower features a

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KBB - May/June 2015

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