MORAGA, CA — Along a private road nestled deep in the hills of Moraga, CA, an aging ranch-style home begged for an update that would accommodate the needs of the busy professional couple who lived there. In particular, the main bath and existing closet were outdated and too small for the homeowners, leading to a project that involved a main bath addition, demolition of the existing bathroom and expansion of the closet.
Architectural Designer Donna Chivers of D3 Designs chose to merge the existing bathroom and closet, which were located next to each other, and add a new bathroom off the master suite. The finished plans delivered a spacious, sanctuary-style space with vaulted ceilings and skylights, with windows in the shower and bath.
To connect the bath and shower, the surround from the tub was brought into the shower as a bench seat
A sand-toned porcelain tile from Crossville draws the eye to the blue accent tile at the far wall
Chrome fittings from Graff showcase a requested transitional style
With completed plans in hand, the homeowners turned to Jeneffer Jones Punjani, principal of El Nido Interiors, which serves the San Francisco Bay area. The company’s name – El Nido – means “The Nest” in Spanish, and this embodies the firm’s mission to craft spaces that offer comfort and style tailored to each client’s individuality and way of life, notes the designer.
A spa-like oasis where the inside and outside merged was the request of the clients, and the home’s surrounding of lush hills and oak trees provided inspiration. Their love of nature was the driver for many of the selections throughout the space.
A clean, white aesthetic that felt fresh provided the backdrop for the bath, with a long, custom-built double vanity answering the demand for “as much cabinetry as we can get!” The vanity is topped with Pental Quartz Avoria in a honed finish, with brass touches in the sconces, cabinet pulls and mirrors adding warmth.
A long, custom-built double vanity was designed to take up the entire west wall
Mirrors from Studio McGee, sconces from Visual Comfort and vanity hardware are featured in a bronze finish to add warmth
Pental Quartz Avoria countertop in a honed finish features a clean vein-cut design that is reminiscent of fresh-cut wood
Across from the vanity, a blue tiled accent wall draws the eye toward the lush surroundings outside. Sand-toned porcelain tile from Crossville lines the wall and blends with the pebbled stone shower floor. Beyond the glass-enclosed shower, an ergonomic jetted tub is featured to provide relief from long days.
“This was our design challenge,” Punjani states about the tub. While the designer and clients loved the look of a freestanding tub, the functionality and appeal of a drop-in, ergonomic jetted tub won out. While panels along built-in bathtubs usually provide access to the motors, the designer wanted to wrap it in quartz for a more modern look. Contractor John Corbett of Corbett/Salvador Construction was able to create an access point from the toilet room, which was located at the backside of the tub.
The tones and textures of nature, along with materials that mimic the outside elements, deliver on the clients desire to bring the outdoors in, resulting in the spa-like sanctuary they craved. ▪