A touch of Bali in the redwoods?
Remodeled bathroom inspired by island vacation

by Susan Golovin / photos by Dena Manthey

Retired since 2000, Stan and Ann live in the Spanish-style home they built in 1973. Like many such couples, they now have the leisure time not only to travel, but also to attend to long-neglected home-improvement projects. Their remodeled master bathroom, accomplished mainly with sweat equity, was inspired by their trip to Bali.

The centerpiece of the master bathroom is the steam shower, which juts into the redwood-enclosed spa room.

Although they contracted out the stucco, drywall, granite and shower glass, the couple did the demolition, framing, foundation and slabs, tile, custom cabinet design and fabrication, plumbing, electrical and painting themselves.

"This is fun for us," says Stan, an electrical engineer.

The remodel follows the original footprint -- only adding three square feet to the main area. However, an additional 20 square feet was ingeniously reclaimed.

The centerpiece of the room is the steam shower, a 4-foot by 5-foot cube with three glass sides and a glass ceiling. It juts out into the redwood-enclosed spa room where skylights provide sunlight for the plants that surround the outside of the cube, creating a tropical island atmosphere.

"I had to build a scaffold so they could position the ceiling," Stan says. It's about 250 pounds -- two pieces of tempered glass laminated around a plastic core." It is the ceiling that retains the heat.

Mike Manthey of Village Glass won an award in 2004-5 from the Bath Enclosure Manufacturers Association (BEMA) for the design. He used low iron, and thus extremely clear, Starphire glass.

Glass shelves are subtly built into the tiled walls. No window coverings disguise the view of a redwood grove.

The curb-less shower floor is covered in 3/4-inch by 3/4-inch cream-colored stone tiles. Slightly larger versions of the same tile, including a four-inch-thick olive-green band, are used to line the showerhead wall, which incorporates a slab of Australian Verde Manikia granite from Provence Stone in San Carlos. Rather than being flush with the ceiling, the granite is jagged cut, suggesting crashing waves. At the top, tiles peek out from the behind the "wave."

The generous oval tub is surrounded by a granite ledge and the same uneven granite wall. The undulating cream and olive stone tile base of the tub flows into the shower and morphs into a seat. "We used an Italian bending poplar underneath the tiles because it's so flexible," Stan adds.

"We went over budget because we made some expensive choices," Ann says, pointing to the $2,000 remote-control gas fireplace built into the wall above the tub. "We also decided on a $700 remote control shade for the window so we don't have to climb over the tub. That window frames a redwood grove -- a scene that also enhances the master bedroom since there is no bathroom door.

The back of the fireplace bleeds into an outdoor utility room that also houses the tankless water heater. "It's more expensive, but it saves a lot of space," Ann says.

"We wanted to have a pattern on the floor, but we were working in a small area, so it was tricky," she adds. They used Jerusalem gray limestone squares and rectangles and set them in an Ashlar pattern.

Skylights stream in plenty of light to support the plants outside the cube.

The toilet is tucked into a separate area enclosed by a sanded glass door, which allows for both privacy and light. A Balianese tapestry decorates one wall, and on another is a red oak cabinet that Stan fabricated.

Stan's woodworking skills are most apparent in the twin vanities that frame the entrance. "The flower pattern on the cabinetry is made from waterfall maple, bubinga, purple heart and poplar," he says. Hammered brass sinks and brass fixtures complement the wood.

The remodel also allowed for a slightly enlarged walk in closet -- again with no door -- inside the bathroom area. "There's a fan so there's no moisture problem," Ann says.

"We don't have to go to a fancy spa to be at one," she says. "Maybe the only difference from Bali is that we have a redwood grove rather than a rice paddy outside."

Resources:

Architect: Doug Fernandez Designs, San Jose, 408-432-1402

Glass fabrication: Mike Manthey, Village Glass and Mirror, Los Gatos, 408-356-3555

Goal of project/design challenge: Completely remodel master bath, creating a design that captures spirit of tropical island
Unexpected problems/hidden costs: Huge amount of dry rot due to earthquake damage to the roof
Year house built: 1973
Size of project: About 200 sq. ft.
Time to complete: About 7 months
Budget: $50,000