Date:  August 26, 2014  |   Story: Ashley Gill  |   Styling: Chip Jones  |  

A jaw-dropping view of the Arkansas River is the focal point of an ethereal master bathroom

Scott Paterek and Tammie Weaver of Massimo Interior Design worked in close collaboration with the owners of a riverfront Little Rock home to renovate their master bathroom and transform what was formerly a cramped and confining space into an everyday spa experience. From the custom LED down lighting—which allows the couple to transition seamlessly from evening to night—to the oversized rainfall showerhead, every detail of the space is intended to delight the senses. The result is a retreat—elegant but not extravagant—that invites self-care and produces an atmosphere of total calm.

Moody Blues

Floor-to-ceiling glass tiles wrap the room in two tones of grayish blue, creating a soothing, watery effect. When the homeowners approached Paterek with the idea of using blue hues—in a home otherwise decorated almost exclusively in neutrals—he knew that the palette he chose would need to carry a lot of gray, in order to avoid a jarring transition into the space. “The rest of the house is very subtle, and if the walls had been a vibrant aqua, it would have been overwhelming,” Paterek says. While colorful rooms can sometimes be trendy, he explains, configuring the two colors of blue tiles in a random, brick-laid pattern protects the room from ever looking dated, because it is an approach to design that is grounded in timeless principles.

Open Plan

The greatest challenge of the renovation was the structural limitation of the room’s 13-foot width. As a solution, the team situated the bathtub in a deep bay, with picture windows on three sides. Extended closets and space for the toilet were added behind the shower, which allowed for an entirely open and symmetrical room design. An oversized shower with transparent glass walls stands centered in the space, allowing for an unobstructed view of the river from every angle. Identical floating Wenge wood vanities are situated opposite one another, and the mirror hanging above each reflects the river, further enhancing the expansive feeling of the space.

Angles + Curves

The symmetry of the room and its sleek, contemporary design inheres in the precision and angularity of the various decorative elements. The metal finishes of the space are all polished chrome, and the hardware is linear. To soften the edge of the design, Paterek incorporated a circle motif that seems to allude to bubbles or pebbles. “The room is very tailored, and I wanted to add a little touch of femininity,” he says. On the wall behind the shower, a framed section of circular accent tiles provides a focal point opposite the grand view and helps to achieve the balance Paterek was seeking. A Robert  Abbey chandelier decked with glass droplets adds another more delicate, glamorous touch; “Its elegance and curvature make it like art, hanging in the middle of the room,” Paterek says.

Design Resources

Contractor Jack Hartsell, Jack Hartsell Construction, Little Rock, (501) 376-2871, jackhartsellconstruction.com

Interior design Scott Paterek and Tammie Weaver, Massimo Interior Design, (501) 664-0355, massimointeriordesign.com

Cabinets Jack Hartsell Construction, Little Rock, (501) 376-2871, jackhartsellconstruction.com

Countertops, flooring, and tile Inside Effects, North Little Rock, (501) 954-8866, insideeffects.com

Fresh floral Tipton Hurst, Conway, (501) 329-6633, Little Rock, (501) 666-3333, North Little Rock, (501) 753-0709, tiptonhurst.com

Lighting and mirrors Massimo, Little Rock, (501) 664-0355, massimointeriordesign.com