A sculptural tub creates a dramatic focal point in this serene retreat.
Twenty years after interior designer Rosemarie Howe and contractor Tom Gilday collaborated on a Chevy Chase renovation, the same clients called them back for an update. This time, the very large and inefficient master bath needed the most help.
“The huge whirlpool tub was used only for drying running clothes,” recalls Howe, “and tucked into a dark corner beside the counter was a teeny little shower.”
The team first removed the oversized tub, replacing it with a spacious, light-filled shower boasting a rainfall showerhead. This move created space for a double vanity along the opposite wall. And in the center of the room—which Howe deemed “empty dancing space”—a new tub now creates a dramatic focal point. “While the owners once viewed a vague and amorphous bath from their bedroom, they now see a free-form tub sitting on a ‘rug’ of really handsome tile,” she explains. “The tub has a sculptural presence and makes sense of the very large bathroom.”
In addition to the mosaic floor, Howe selected subtle, white marble walls and a Caesarstone countertop for an elegant, crisp aesthetic. “I wanted it to be calm, spare and quietly luxurious,” she says. The marble, tile, tub and sconces are by Waterworks while the sinks are by Kohler. Chrome drawer hardware—discovered by Howe on a trip to Paris—lend an unexpectedly modern touch.
“When it all came together, our clients were delighted,” she says. “It was fun to tweak a house Tom and I had both worked on before.”
INTERIOR DESIGN: ROSEMARIE HOWE, Rosemarie R. Howe Interiors, Inc., Washington, DC. CONTRACTOR: TOM GILDAY, Gilday Renovations, Silver Spring, Maryland. PHOTOGRAPHY: MORGAN HOWARTH.
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