We're designing a lot of bathrooms with mahogany, maple and cherry cabinetry. While staining the cabinetry is still popular, more and more homeowners are painting their hard wood cabinetry in colors which coordinate with the overall style of the house,'' said Joanne Stage, who added that many large master bathrooms have taken on the appearance of large sitting rooms. This often includes designing a private room for the water closet and bidet, adding a large shower with body sprays and seats, grab bars and sometimes steam capabilities, and installing an oversized steeping or whirlpool tub. Separate vanities for him and her include individual sinks and dressing areas, complete with a built-in dressing table for the lady of the house. Floor to ceiling cabinetry is accented with crown molding and beaded insets.
Wainscoting is added to walls and vanity fronts.
Tub panels dress the tub. Preferred countertop and sink materials are, in order of preference, granite, marble, limestone, and solid surfacing like Corian. Bathroom renovations in existing homes are usually dictated by the style of the adjoining bedroom or overall decor of the house. Ms. Stage said that clients can usually have exactly what they want in the style department, including a new bathroom designed to look as old as possible. Cabinetry hardware of virtually all time periods, shapes, and styles is also available to complete the historical look.