A waterfall flowing into the stainless-steel tub makes a striking
focal point in this tranquil bath by designer Karen Luria.

Sleek + Sculptural
Designer Karen Luria set out to create a sleek, sculptural bathroom during the renovation of her client’s Chevy Chase condo. She envisioned a spa-like retreat where everyday pressures would melt away amid a modern mix of natural and industrial elements. Though the original bathroom housed a double vanity, a marble whirlpool tub and a separate shower, it contained a lot of wasted space. So Luria reconfigured the room’s footprint and then fulfilled her client’s chief request: to eliminate the marble. They selected a stainless-steel tub that’s big enough for two which became the focal point in the bathroom. To soften the tub’s industrial edge, Luria honed in on earth-toned porcelain tiles to clad the bathroom’s floor and walls. Other natural elements, including resin panels containing real reeds and dried flowers, a river-rock floor in the shower and teak accessories, create an organic vibe. A calming waterfall flows into the tub from a wall-mounted fixture. The bath shows precise attention to detail in terms of both form and function. All trim is done in stainless steel to reflect the tub. Storage abounds in custom vanity cabinets. A custom teak “stair” serves as a stool and a shelf but also swivels around to help bathers climb into the tub. “I love the concept of bringing the outside in,” says Luria. “I wanted this to be a room that you enjoy looking at but also in which you may totally relax.”INTERIOR DESIGN: Karen Luria, Karen Luria Interior Identity, Inc., Alexandria, Virginia; photography: Lydia Cutter, Arlington, Virginia