Redefining Luxury with Scandinavian Inspiration
Master Bath Reinvented
This master bathroom transformation earned the prestigious Project of the Year Grand Award from the Professional Remodeling Association. The project was designed by Marta Layton and skillfully executed by MOSS Building and Design to meet the unique visions of a diplomat couple deeply inspired by Scandinavian design and the therapeutic properties of Finnish saunas.
Project Genesis
The journey began when the clients, currently residing in London but planning a return to the U.S., reached out to MOSS to prepare their Arlington townhouse. Their experiences in Scandinavia had made a Finnish sauna an essential feature of their dream master bathroom.
Challenges and Innovations
To accommodate the two-level sauna, the entire layout of the bathroom was reconfigured within the existing structural boundaries, maintaining the original room dimensions and entry door. The innovative design included integrating the sauna entrance through a large, luxurious shower, requiring precise coordination between multiple trades:
Tile and Quartz Prep
These crucial elements were completed first to set the foundation for the sauna’s construction.
Sauna Installation
The sauna unit components were meticulously custom-installed after tile and quartz installation.
Glass Enclosures
Custom glass enclosures for both the shower and sauna were measured and fabricated last to ensure a perfect fit.
Design and Collaboration
The redesign of the bathroom was a collaborative effort involving extensive consultations with AMEREC and their Finnish consultant, Risto, to ensure the sauna’s authenticity and functionality. A local Virginia designer was responsible for spatial planning and 3D visualization, ensuring the clients’ modern aesthetic preferences were perfectly aligned with practical sauna design standards.
Detail-Oriented Execution
No detail was overlooked in the creation of this space. The glass enclosures, extending a full 8 feet in height despite a lowered ceiling, double the size of a standard walk-in shower. A specialty sauna handle, wooden on the inside and metal on the outside, was imported from Denmark. Precise measurements down to the millimeter were confirmed before drilling began, ensuring flawless execution.
Spatial Optimization
Given the constraints of a tight staircase and narrow hallway outside the bathroom, expansion was not feasible. Instead, the designer maximized every inch of available space, switching the locations of the vanity areas and toilet to optimize the layout for the new shower and sauna areas.
Before and After Impact
Integration of Spaces
Before
After
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This project not only met the unique needs and style preferences of the clients but also demonstrated commitment to quality, innovation, and client satisfaction in creating a functional, beautifully designed space that truly stands out as a Grand Award-winning solution.