Elegant bath, simple style

Marshlands are quite abundant on the South Carolina coast. When Judy and Merrit Marcus planned their new home, they wanted to take advantage of this grand natural feature. So they not only made sure that their design team included plenty of windows, but they also insisted on a look that gave the home character. Working with interior decorator Miriam Jordan of Charleston, they planned a casually elegant master bath.

From the V-grooved paneled walls to the heart-pine floors, wood plays an important role in the room by adding character. The walls have a milk paint finish to give them an aged look. The hardwoods that form the floor were recycled from an old cotton mill. Now refinished, they impart a warm glow.

A pair of pedestal sinks and a claw-foot tub, while new, appear to be refurbished. The sinks are slightly longer than a standard pedestal and offer more counterspace. Simple marble shelves mounted above each sink allow for additional storage.

Large plate-glass mirrors hung above the sinks expand the space and reflect the views of the encompassing marshlands. Brushed nickel wall sconces are hung directly on the mirror.

Still, the Marcuses' favorite feature is the large bank of windows in the bath. Simple blinds allow for privacy without obstructing the views, as heavy draperies would. The tub is placed in the center of the windows. "During high tide, the room is surrounded by water," Judy says. "You feel as if you could be floating."

Copyright Southern Progress Corporation Sep 2003
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