Kitchen & Bath
2006 Bath of the Year Winner: Grand Gesture
A modern bath is balanced by touches of 20th-century grandeur. One of our 2006 Bath of the Year award winners.

You have to think twice before believing that this now-majestic home started life as an out-of-place ranch, nestled amid Druid Hills' most stately historic mansions. But it was the master bath that especially benefited from this ranch's blowout renovation; the charming new space was designed to create a delicate balance between the needs of a growing family and the distinguished character of the neighborhood.

To that end, says designer and project coordinator Jenny Nelson of HammerSmith, the goal was to create a modernized master bath that still captured the essence of the 1920s. "We wanted to create the feeling that the bath had an 'old soul,'"she explains. "We needed to create a room with a scale that was intimate but still gave the owners the space they needed—and  wanted—for such a grand home." In fact, she adds, that may have been the project's biggest challenge.

It hits the mark, though, on all counts. For starters, there's an immediate sense of formality, thanks to the symmetrically placed his-and-hers vanities on either side of the space. Between the two, a claw-foot tub readily harkens back to an earlier era while, at the same time, seeming almost sculptural. What's more, the tub is nestled in front of a picturesque window with a beautiful view.

In counterpoint to the nostalgic-looking bathtub, a more modern shower sits on the opposite wall. The shower's limestone tile can be fully appreciated, too, thanks to its frameless surround. Still, there's a hint of that "old soul" that the design team sought to achieve; retro-style fittings enhance the style, while also providing the necessary modern conveniences.

Equally convenient is a nearby open-shelved storage spot. It's the perfect place to stack thick, thirsty towels, and its marble top echoes the materials of the vanities. What's more, it has all the elegance of a stylish piece of furniture. What could be more appropriate for such a grand residence?