Dayton March/April 2024

Smooth relay
Erica Kadlec from KP Designs started as the
Winhovens’ designer, and when she went on
maternity leave, Celeste Bardash took over.
Both deserve credit for the result. “They have
both been a joy to work with and they have
unique strengths,” says Marje.
The first challenge was how to address
the layout and miniscule size of the existing
shower (Jason’s elbows brushed the shower
walls when he was showering.) The toilet was
positioned near the shower, with no room to
expand, so Celeste reclaimed hallway space
that housed a laundry chute and used that
to create a new water closet. The new shower
has plenty of elbow room and is aesthetically
pleasing in both textured white and glossy
black tile.
Once the layout and shower were addressed,
Celeste turned to the color palette. She knew
Marje wanted a clean, spa-like feel, but otherwise
says she started with a blank slate. A
luxury spa is typically bathed in soothing hues
—serene colors such as Sherwin Williams’
Alabaster—which graces the walls here. Soft
and tranquil, the walls pair nicely with the
room’s warm woods as well as the shower’s
black penny tile. But it’s the soaking tub that
steals the show and solidifies the bathroom’s
spa vibes.
“I take a lot of baths,” explains Marje.
“I used to have a jacuzzi tub with jets but
switched over to the soaking tub. For me, it
was not just about the aesthetic but also the
practicality.”
While practical doesn’t seem to be a word
that should apply to this elegant soaker, practicality
(it’s a breeze to clean) and comfort
reign supreme. Marje didn’t trust that she
could gauge a tub’s comfort level based on
looking at tub photographs, so she and Celeste
went and sat in tubs in a local showroom.
Marje ended up shopping and sourcing the
tub on her own and declares it incredibly comfortable.
Celeste definitely recommends tub
sitting before buying. “I like to have a client sit
in a tub. It’s not just about the length but also
the incline and width,” she says. ➻
BEFORE
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