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!
*This article was originally published in 2019 and updated on July 17, 2022.
A Daring & Edgy Bathroom
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.”
An 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.
A Chinoiserie-Inspired Modern Bathroom
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!”
A Secret Spaces Bathroom
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.
An Updated Traditional Bathroom
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 Southern Transitional Bathroom
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 Modern Wanderlust Bathroom
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!”
A Classic & Bright Bathroom
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.
A Dramatic Bathroom
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.”
A Contemporary Bathroom
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.”
We hope you’re now inspired to take your own bathroom to the next level!
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