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Bath in a Classical Revival Residence, Greenwich, Conn.

Grand: Master Bath / Douglas VanderHorn Architects

2 MIN READ

By Amy Albert

June 13, 2014

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Michael Partenio

The deck-mounted tub is tucked into a niche so that the rectangl… Read More The deck-mounted tub is tucked into a niche so that the rectangle of the room gives a gracious, spacious feel. This, in turn, allows space for furniture. Mirrored panels allow daylight to travel through the room, adding an airy feel.

Michael Partenio

The bath is a deft melding of varied matierals and period detail… Read More The bath is a deft melding of varied matierals and period details: Chinoiserie, turn-of-the-century, neoclassical, and contemporary.

Michael Partenio

The Chinoiserie detailing on the tub valance and mirrors is wood… Read More The Chinoiserie detailing on the tub valance and mirrors is wood painted with a metallic finish.

Mixing different architectural styles and historic periods is an admirable aim, but in less than skillful hands, the result can be a confusing hodgepodge. Bath in a Classical Revival Residence is a fine lesson in how to get it right. “It’s rare to see a bath where so much attention has been paid,” said the jury, all of whom were as impressed by the room’s luxurious and efficient floor plan as they were by the deftly executed combination of ornamental styles.

A look around the room reveals Neoclassical molding, Chinoiserie mirror detailing, 19th-century-style plumbing fixtures, and contemporary raised glass sinks. Mirrored surfaces add another contemporary touch, allowing daylight to dance through the room, keeping the master bath in this classical house light and airy.

“This enchanting, masterful space is the hand of someone who knows how to work with texture, color, and print,” noted the judges. Architect Douglas VanderHorn is quick to credit interior designer Cindy Rinfret, with whom he worked closely on pulling off this ambitious melding of styles. “It’s what we do as architects,” he explains. “We look at historical precedent.”

Stopping at the details, however, would be a mistake because this floor plan puts the ‘room’ in bathroom without going overboard. A gracious result is achieved by tucking necessities such as twin vanities and the deck-mounted bathtub into niches. This maintains the rectangular space, allows an open feel, and even accommodates the unlikely addition of twin armchairs.

In a master suite, says VanderHorn, “You’re only successful when you’re giving both members of the couple exactly what they want.” His biggest challenge was integrating a number of amenities in the suite (spacious his-and-her closets, a home office, a foyer) and getting them all to flow and function in concert, with no dead ends or disorder. Mission accomplished.

Learn more about markets featured in this article: New York, NY.