Sep 2, 2014 -- The dressing room and en suite bath were renovated in this historic home in a high end downtown Toronto neighbourhood to reflect the style and design of the original home and the owner. Careful consideration was given to interior architectural details. A renowned sailor, the owner wanted an enlarged bathroom that included a separate shower, large soaking tub, basin and water closet. The dressing room was reduced by three feet to accommodate the new requirements for the bath. The connection to the upstairs hallway and the adjacent master bedroom remained. The success of the project is the seamless integration of these adjustments.

A large-scale mirror was positioned in the dressing room to give the feeling of an expanded space. It is ideally positioned opposite the bench. The historical details around the door frames and the ceiling mouldings were reproduced to the exact scale and dimension of the home.

Light plays an important role in the new bathroom design. Hand-produced Waterworks blue glass tiles were used for two walls, framing the inside of the bathroom. The luminous surface glimmers in daylight, showcasing the handcrafted quality of the tiles. The depth of colour changes from tile to tile. Tumbled Thassos square tiles are featured on the floor and the other two walls, where wood framework is painted to match the tiles. This design emphasizes the blue tiles as the focal point in the room.

To further enhance the design, the shower is a frameless glass piece sharing a white and blue wall. The Kohler rain shower provides a spa-like shower experience. The boat-shaped soaking tub lines the blue wall, reminding us of the sea and sailing. The historically inspired pedestal sink is from Kohler, as are the taps. A Waterworks mirror and towel holder as well as wall lights were selected for their references to historical interiors.

True success in a historical home is to renovate and have a result that looks like it was always part of the original home. With the light playing on the blue glass tiles, there is the feeling of serenity and the sea.