Dream Up a Fabulous Bath

Before a radical makeover, this space was a sunroom off the master bedroom. Now it's just perfect as a deluxe bath.

Take a guess: What's the best feature in this bath? The classy vanity with the marble top? Triple showerheads? Well-planned cottage details? All good answers, but what really made us take notice of this bath was its walls of windows, allowing abundant natural light to spill across the room.

Room for Improvement

In the Highland Park neighborhood of Chattanooga, Tennessee, many people are snatching up older homes with peeling paint and neglected interiors and restoring them to their former glory. When Jill and Jeff Smokier found their early-1900s gem, they wanted to do the same. Part of their redesign plan included turning the light-filled room off the upstairs master bedroom into a spacious bath.

To make the vanity a "wow" piece, the couple chose an open style with double sinks and a marble top. "I love its elegance and old-world style," says Jill. Beaded board wraps behind the vanity to lend historical charm, and the mirrors above it were a budget-smart secret. Jill found a pair of inexpensive framed mirrors and painted them the same color as the beaded board and trim. -SARA ANDERSON

Bend The Rules

* Skip the tub-and-shower combo, and opt for an extra-large shower instead. Multiple showerheads add hotel-style luxe.

* Design the bath so that the windows are behind you when you stand at the vanity. Use opaque window panes.

* Trade towel bars for pretty hooks.

For More Info Browse 129 more baths and sources: southernliving.com/march2007

Copyright Southern Progress Corporation Mar 2007
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