Homeowners whose master bath was stuck in the 1980s were ready for a redo. Tired of its rarely used corner whirlpool tub and uninspiring beige tile, the Ashburn, Virginia, couple tapped designer Jennifer Wagner Schmidt to mastermind an overhaul. “They wanted to make it modern and functional,” recalls the designer, whose first strategy was to optimize real estate in the narrow, 11-foot-wide space.

A debate ensued over whether to include a tub in the new plan or to go solely with an oversized shower. When the tub won, Schmidt proposed a novel idea: create an open-concept, shower-and-bath area enclosed by a simple panel of glass on one side in lieu of a standard shower door. A niche for bath & skincare products is centered between dual matte-black rain-shower heads. A tiny dip in the floor contains water in the shower, where it disappears into a linear drain along the back wall.

A black-and-white palette reinforces the minimalist ideal. Applying the same large-format marble tile on the floor and walls created a uniform aesthetic; Schmidt installed it in a brick pattern on the walls and a chevron pattern on the floors for subtle contrast.

A floating vanity with a black wooden base and thick porcelain top provides plenty of storage; Schmidt selected the floating piece to preserve a sense of airiness. The new plan also tucked in a separate toilet room near the entry.

The owners love their luxe, modern bathroom. “They took the risk and it paid off,” says Schmidt. “It’s the kind of bathroom you’d see in a penthouse or high-end hotel.”

GET THE LOOK:
Floor & Wall Tile: tileshop.com. Tub: badeloftusa.com. Linen Roman Shade: rh.com. Matte-Black Plumbing Fixtures: brizo.com. Vanity: MOB through houzz.com. Medicine Cabinets: robern.com. Glass Fabricator: dullesglass.com. Stool: potterybarn.com.

Interior Design: Jennifer Wagner Schmidt, JWS Interiors, Ashburn, Virginia.