Earth Elements

This basement bath-meets-spa was one of five bathrooms designer Jackie Naylor renovated for a pair of discriminating homeowners. Carolyn, a Pilates instructor, and Dave Gould, an investor, are both health-conscious and devoted to the natural world, so they desired a space that would be earthy, organic and therapeutic, too.

The luxurious (but diminutive) retreat the designer created for them, complete with a rain shower and advanced infrared sauna, is the perfect place to wash up after workouts, or simply unwind after a long workday.

Because Carolyn wanted a floor plan with a separate water closet and ample storage, Naylor had to reorient several elements of the bath, tucking in storage space wherever possible. She even rerouted the plumbing to accommodate a new faucet for the sink—a modern design suspended from the ceiling that empties into a deep Hastings vessel.

Teak pocket doors, shelving, a bench and custom vanities make this petite lavatory feel very cozy and Zen, the color of the concrete countertops perfectly matching its toasty tones. Porcelain tiles span the room to extend these warm colors on all planes, while pebble floors—another must-have for Carolyn—add an organic touch and feel great underfoot.

A CLOSER LOOK

A NATURAL FIT
Designer Jackie Naylor came highly recommended for her creative talents and, in fact, had already admired the Gould’s sophisticated taste when she visited their home during a recent Gardens for Connoisseurs Tour. Thus, they were able to easily see eye-to-eye on nearly every aspect of the design.

EVERYDAY EASE
The homeowners wanted a shower they would be able to use every day, and during renovations to the other baths in their home, they did. The Goulds quickly fell in love with the clever and practical plumbing fixtures, including an innovative ceiling-mounted faucet from THG.

PROVISIONS IN PLUMBING
“I had seen that faucet in a showroom and fell in love with it. I could not wait to have that special client so that I could use it,” Naylor says. “And as soon as I showed the faucet to these homeowners, they loved it, they absolutely loved it.”

GOOD HANDLING
Very simple teak pulls—essentially grooves in the doorframes—are ideal additions. The hardware had to be very special, notes Naylor. “It can either make or break a bathroom, very much like a piece of jewelry. No matter how expensive the cabinetry, you can spoil the look with the wrong hardware.”

 

BATHROOM DESIGN Jackie Naylor, ASID, CMKBD, Jackie Naylor Interiors Inc., 4287 Glengary Dr. NE, Atlanta 30342. (404) 814-1973; jackienaylorinteriors.com CONTRACTOR Dowdakin Home Improvers Inc., 3792 Donaldson Dr., Chamblee 30341. (770) 457-3366 PLUMBING FIXTURES (SHOWER AND CEILING MOUNT FIXTURE) Gessi through Elegant Additions CONCRETE COUNTERTOP Custom by J. Aaron through Jackie Naylor Interiors VESSEL SINK Hastings through Elegant Additions TOILET Carolina White by Toto through Elegant Additions INFRARED SAUNA UNIT Sunlighten, California SCONCES Tango Lighting, Fort Lauderdale, Florida CUSTOM VANITY, POCKET DOORS AND LINEN STORAGE Custom by Dowdakin Home Improvers Inc. ALL TILE AND FLOORING Specialty Tile Products Inc., Miami Circle TEAK BENCH AND SHELVING VivaTerra, vivaterra.com ALL OTHER RESOURCES Through Jackie Naylor Interiors Inc.