Now and Zen

Mellor-Pfiefle Residence, Vienna, Va.

Grand, best master bath in a remodeled home

Production homes built in the ’60s aren’t known for having spacious bathrooms. So when Bradley Mellor added onto his own 1961 residence (a California contemporary) in the Washington, D.C., suburbs, a major piece of the expansion plan involved converting a small, utilitarian master bath into a peaceful sanctuary with room to breathe.

“My wife and I had a strong desire for natural light and nature views,” the architect explains. As part of a 1,500-square-foot addition block that now forms a rear courtyard and looks out into the woods, the expanded retreat delivers on that wish. Earthy textures figure prominently, as seen in its rich cherry millwork, bark-like ceramic tile, black river stones, tumbled marble, and limestone walls. Cove lighting in the shower complements the sunlight streaming in from large picture windows. And the space is as comfortable as it is beautiful, with pampering features such as radiant floor heating (with timed activation), a steam shower, and a dressing table with pull-out shelving for manicures and pedicures.

The biggest challenge was aligning all that good wood with the tile, says Mellor, pointing, for example, to the continuous crown band of cherry (the same species used in the custom cabinets) where ceiling meets wall. It serves as a unifying element, but was tricky to execute.

“In a contemporary space, there is minimal trim so everything has to line up,” he says. “But when you’re in rough framing, it’s hard to anticipate the precise location of the finishes. We spent a lot of time making sure those elements matched up perfectly.”

Entrant/Architect/Interior designer: Ponte Mellor Architects, Bethesda, Md.; Builder: Estoril Construction, Bethesda