Fitting It All In

Southern Living, Apr 2005 by Doyle, Alice Welsh

This bath may be small but it has it all-double vanities, a walk-in shower, and whirlpool tub.

If you're working with a little space, you need to plan carefully to take advantage of every inch. Merv and Danny Baldecchi's master bath is the little room that could. In only a 7- x 9-foot space, the couple enjoys lots of extras. This is how they did it.

Renovating Wisely

When planning their addition, the Baldecchis wanted to use the original plumbing connections to keep expenses under control. Existing space that included a small bath was converted into a master bath and hallway that leads to an upstairs bedroom suite addition.

Smart choices make the new bath live large. Instead of a separate water closet, a half wall surrounds the area. "This gives a sense of privacy without closing up the space," says Richmond architect Burt Pinnock. "The walk-in shower is glass to keep things open. That's essential in a small bath." One luxurious splurge-radiant heat under the tile floor-provides warmth underfoot.

Mixing Classic and New

The new bath feels at home in the couple's Colonial home, but it also has its own spark. The room is wrapped in white wainscot for added character and a crisp, classic touch. Accents give modern flair; a series of chrome pendant lights provides great task lighting for the dual vanities, and the fixtures are a sleek brushed nickel. The gray, cream, and white color palette feels fresh and cool, working in sync with the travertine marble surfaces.

Customizing Your Countertops

While Burt and the Baldecchis generally agreed on most aspects of the renovation, the vanity caused some dissension. Danny, who Burt jokingly refers to as a giant, wanted his vanity to be extra tall (34 inches), but Burt thought it would look awful. So they did a mock-up, and Danny won. "Merv, who is not a giant, enjoys having the basin closer to her face," says Burt. "I think the extra height works well because, with the feet on the bottom of the piece and with its unique color, it looks more like furniture than a traditional vanity."

It's hardworking just like everything else in this mini master bath that thought it could-and did.

ALICE WELSH DOYLE