Gorgeous freestanding tubs, stunning walkthrough showers, elegant vanities, sublime marble and tiles, jewel-like hardware … the only thing better than a luxurious at-home spa session is one spent in an exquisitely designed space. We reached out to 10 Southern designers and asked them to share their most creative and beautiful bathroom projects. The spaces they shared simply sing! From sleek and modern to stately and traditional, these next-level bathrooms will surely inspire. So, take note of your favorite features for your next bathroom reno. Enjoy!
10 Next-Level Bathrooms
Daring & Edgy
Shea Bryars Design | Birmingham, AL
Faced with an unremarkable, traditional white space for this bathroom, interior designer Shea Bryars of Shea Bryars Design decided to give the space an edginess that reflected her client’s chic style with gold fixtures, black marble tile and modern lines. “Had we done a ‘typical’ all-white marble shower and countertops with white cabinets this room would’ve died,” says Shea. “I painted the cabinets black, and we used that stunning black marble tile in the shower. This, paired with gold fixtures, created such a great focal point in a space that lacked one.”
“The light fixture combining these blacks and golds in an edgy design, really speaks to the space as well,” says designer Shea Bryars of Shea Bryars Design. Image: Jean Allsopp Photography
“I would say this bathroom is a definite crossover of contemporary with traditional,” says Shea. Image: Jean Allsopp Photography
Ethereal Powder Room
Parkes & Lamb Interiors | Nashville, TN
Although it’s not a master bath, this powder room makes an equally stirring impression. “A powder room is a place that really lends itself to creativity. It’s a small space that has the potential to make a big impact,” says interior designer Blair Parkes of Parkes & Lamb Interiors. “Try something a little different here than what’s in the rest of your home, and you will not be disappointed.” This dreamy little bathroom’s iron-framed mirror of antique glass floats above a custom vanity of rustic wood and industrial concrete. A fragment lamp and gauzy linen drapes lend a softness to the space.
An effortless interplay of stoic natural textures — raw wood, smooth concrete and an antique mirror — are striking when juxtaposed against the scalloped accents and flourishes in this light, airy space. Image: Mary Craven Photography
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Chinoiserie-Inspired Modern
Lindsey Black Interiors | Memphis, TN
The colorful, floral wallpaper was the driving force for this bathroom design. “We pulled the vanity color from a shade of green in the paper and custom-designed the legs of the vanity to tie in with the Asian feel of the wallpaper,” says interior designer Lindsey Black of Lindsey Black Interiors. Brass accents lend warmth to the space, while a handsome crystal-and-brass chandelier offers a reflective illumination to the windowless space. “My favorite thing about this space is the way all the elements work together and make each other shine,” says Lindsey. “Individually, each element is beautiful, but together they feel like a work of art!”
“Wainscoting was used to add negative space and balance between the bold paper and green vanity,” says designer Lindsey Black of Lindsey Black Interiors. Image: Sélavie Photography
“Classic marble hex tiles were selected to bring a timeless feel to the powder room,” says Lindsey of the design choice that is continued in thoughtful accents like the vase holding fresh flowers. Image: Sélavie Photography
Secret Spaces
Nequette Architecture & Design | Birmingham, AL
Louis Nequette, founder and chief architect of Nequette Architecture & Design kept this Southern Vernacular-style lake cottage simple and clean by nestling secondary spaces, like the bathroom and closet, into the home’s edges and even hiding them altogether. The bathroom vanity and closet are cleverly tucked behind a bed wall, with the door to the shower hidden amongst the panel of handsome herringbone millwork for the built-in armoire. This bathroom-meets-closet pulls double duty with seemingly effortless sophistication.
Wooden beams and a smart herringbone-planked wall give this lake cottage bathroom rustic charm, while its handsome navy vanity and clever design solutions elevate the overall design. Image: Luker Photography
With limited space and a pitched roof, architect Louis Nequette of Nequette Architecture & Design had to devise creative design solutions to avoid awkward walls and cramped spaces. This hidden shower is a delight. Image: Luker Photography
Updated Traditional
Murphy Maude Interiors | Nashville, TN + Memphis, TN
For this bathroom renovation, interior designer Leslie Murphy of Murphy Maude Interiors elevated the traditional look with crisp, clean, classic touches, giving the space a more modern, transitional feel. “We used natural stone throughout, taking Calcutta marble to the ceiling in this bathroom,” says Leslie. “We used classic elements like timeless lighting, an updated color palette and sleek finishes to achieve a more modern look.” The result is at once stately and inviting, a simply stunning space.
A beautiful freestanding tub enjoys its own sun-washed nook. Image: Sélavie Photography
The floor-to-ceiling marble and the beautiful incorporation of custom-built doors and drawers throughout the bathroom are Leslie’s favorite features of this space. Image: Sélavie Photography
Leslie incorporated a jaw-dropping custom-closet design adjacent to the bathroom. Image: Sélavie Photography
Southern Transitional
Toulmin Cabinetry & Design | Birmingham, AL
“We love the classic Southern staples of bath design, and used custom beaded inset cabinetry to achieve this,” says Jay Young, CKD, owner and principal of Toulmin Cabinetry & Design. “We also wanted to play with light and reflection by incorporating the mirrored linen cabinets, integrated mirror and glass hardware. The visual texture of the marble tile and countertops helps keep this white bathroom classic and crisp but not sterile.” Soothing neutrals, modern art and textured accents lend a subtle warmth to the space.
A hushed color palette, coupled with mirrors reflecting the diffused natural light, lend a dreamy, ethereal quality to this space, which was designed by Toulmin Cabinetry & Design. Image: Jean Allsopp Photography
Jay can’t quite pinpoint his favorite feature in this great project, saying, “It’s a tie between the shower floor mosaic (pictured) and the linen cabinets with mirrored mullion doors.” Image: Jean Allsopp Photography
A modern freestanding tub and enormous walk-in rain shower provide major WOW factor in this bathroom. Image: Jean Allsopp Photography
Modern Wanderlust
Castle Homes | Nashville, TN
C Kevin Coffey Dwellings & Design | Franklin, TN
These homeowners were inspired by their travels to California and Italy, where they witnessed jaw-dropping modern interiors. They wanted a design-forward master bath that would conjure that same sense of luxury and escape. Enter: home builder Castle Homes in partnership with architect C Kevin Coffey Dwellings | Design, who created a large, open, contemporary space. “This truly custom master bath was designed as an organized and calm sanctuary to take the homeowners away from the hustle and bustle of kids, animals and business in Nashville,” says Heather Looney, Vice President & Designer of Castle Homes, adding, “It’s a beautifully open and crisp, yet organic and inviting, retreat for this jet-setting couple!”
With brushed nickel plumbing fixtures, natural-honed marble floors and rare marble slab countertops, this calming and light-filled retreat is meant to provide a serene, stress-free environment. Image: Reed Brown Photography
Talented Nashville craftsmen at Ferguson Plumbing and Hermitage Lighting also helped in the creation of this gorgeous bathroom. Image: Reed Brown Photography
Custom floating cabinetry with fully automated lighting control and window coverings make this modern refuge to-die-for. Image: Reed Brown Photography
Classic & Bright
Cindy McCord Design + David Anderson Architect | Memphis, TN
“I love the oval window that architect David Anderson included in the design and how he surrounded it with mirror,” says interior designer Cindy McCord of Cindy McCord Design. David, principal architect of David Anderson Architect, designed this bathroom’s layout and cabinetry, while Cindy specified the finishes, such as the brushed nickel plumbing, lighting fixtures and handsome hardware, as well as the beautiful Asian statuary marble used for the countertops, floors and walls. The sleek and classic design is a breath of fresh air.
Cindy McCord of Cindy McCord Design loved the custom elements that architect David Anderson designed in the layout and cabinetry, saying, “The center portion of the vanity, built for sitting, works so nicely under the oval window as a focal point.” Image: Ross Group Creative
The muted grey striations in the Asian statuary marble exude an understated elegance. Image: Ross Group Creative
“I really love the frosted glass matching doors on the toilet area,” says Cindy of this chic and clever privacy feature. Image: Ross Group Creative
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Dramatic Emphasis
Cantley & Company | Birmingham, AL
Book-matched marble, the placement of two mirror-image marble slabs, creates a stunning statement piece that almost doubles as art. Cyndy Craig Cantley, ASID, CKD, of Cantley & Company, employed this technique on a historic 1920s home in a beautiful Birmingham neighborhood. “We updated the master bath in keeping with the home’s classic style, but we also wanted to have a little fun,” says Cyndy. “Working with AM3 Stone, we selected the perfect slabs and achieved a stunning book-matched wall for a very dramatic focal point as you enter the bath.” Cyndy kept the cabinetry simple, tucking medicine cabinets resembling jib doors into the sheetrock and framing the mirror with more Alabama White marble. Says Cyndy, ”My favorite thing about this bath — besides the wonderful homeowners that let us ‘do what we do best’ — is all the beautiful Alabama White marble and the softness of this space.”
“There are not many things I love more than a stay at a wonderful hotel with a great bath, and for years we have basically tried to recreate this luxury in our homes for an almost spa-like experience,” says Cyndy of Cantley & Company of her approach to bath design.
“Polished nickel wall-mounted faucets always look great and keep things clean,” says Cyndy.
Contemporary Cool
Living Spaces by Lyn | Louisville, KY
This bathroom renovation transformed an outdated design with an unattractive sunken tub. “It was great to have a client willing and open to embracing a more contemporary space that really spoke to the architecture of the home,” says Kim Falvey, interior design project coordinator and team leader for renovation projects for Living Spaces by Lyn. “I loved the project as a whole, but the cabinetry really made it all work. We used the same color on the walls as the cabinetry, which really added to the cohesive overall flow.” Floating vanities opened up the space and maintained the minimalistic thread with clean, modern lines and a striking use of negative space. Adds Kim, “Using sensored, under-vanity lights as you enter the room added a little WOW factor to the space.”
Modern art and subdued metallics lend a futuristic feel to this master bath. Image: David Stewart of Ad Cat Media
Sharp lighting and clean geometric lines make this space decidedly sleek and minimalistic. Image: David Stewart of Ad Cat Media
We hope you’re now inspired to take your own bathroom to the next level!
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