Bold Bathroom Inspiration

Timeless Bath Designs Inspired by Tile and Marble

March 12, 2015

Nancy Richman Milligan,

It is no surprise that the inspiration for designer Kirsten Schmit’s master bath came from tile. As the Marketing and Product Manager of Decorative Materials, a tile and stone business founded by her mother, Margot Hampleman, Schmit grew up with a passion and appreciation for tile design. “I wanted the floor to be the major statement here—bold yet timeless,” she says of the Italian glass mosaic pattern created from circles, squares and ovals. “I kept the rest of the room quiet to let the floor sparkle.”

Vein-cut oak cabinets are sleek and streamlined, offering a tremendous amount of storage to hide away clutter. “The bathtub is very clean-lined as well, following the theme of the cabinetry,” Schmit says. “It has a lightness to it, with thin walls and slanted sides. It sits off the floor about three inches, making it feel even lighter.” Schmit selected subtly patterned Valley Gold Vein marble from Marble, Colorado, for the countertops and walk-in steam shower. A large window and skylights above the vanities fill the bathroom with natural light and fresh mountain air. “The mirror-mounted sconces help bring the room to life,” says Schmit. “Their reflection doubles the light and makes the whole room glow.”

“You don’t need the same tile or vanity style in every bathroom in the house,” advises Kirsten Schmit, who sees each space as an opportunity to introduce enticing pattern. “I have a passion for pattern, whether on the floor or wall. Bold geometrics bring a lot of life to spaces.”

In a powder bath off her media room, Schmit reflects the natural environment of her mountain home, which is set in an aspen grove. The tree-motif wall-paper and twig-framed mirror bring in the outdoors while a stunning red vanity offers a contrasting pop of color. “I wanted to have fun and add an element of surprise,” Schmit says.

The designer opted for calm and light in the white guest bathroom highlighted by contrasting blue- and-gray concrete encaustic floor tiles. Furniture-like legs lift the vanity off the floor, creating a light look while also offering a glimpse of the geometric tile.

The mandala-patterned tile in another powder bath was custom designed to perfectly fit the floor dimensions. Its neutral color scheme influenced the rest of the room, which offers a striking contrast between the modern chrome open vanity base and the organic curves and materials of the horn mosaic mirror frame. “The curvaceous shape of the mirror softens the clean lines of the floor and vanity,” says Schmit. “The integrated sconces and mirror work as a unit, playing off each other beautifully.”

Kirsten’s bathroom design tips:

Tile is a great place to invest in a project and a perfect starting point for the whole design. Start planning early and give yourself time to acquire the products you love because tile is a permanent finish.
Waterjet cutting techniques make it possible to cut seamless lines and combine different materials, such as stone, metal and glass, into one mosaic design.
Texture is huge right now in stone tile. Through technical advances, limestone and marble can be cut to produce a raised, 3-D effect.
Vanities on legs have more charm and character than a standard vanity. They have a lighter feel and make a room more comfortable and elegant.
Choose your mirror with an eye toward the “wow” factor, especially in a powder bath. Let it become the focal point of the room.
Sconces next to bathroom mirrors not only shed beautiful light on faces, they add a lot of depth to a room.