When Amy and Hallett Johnson settled into their 1970s-era home, they knew it would be the ideal place to raise their family—with a few adjustments. The couple needed a space to retreat from the hustle of everyday life. And Amy, a west coast native, craved an airy bath that would open to the outdoors and take in garden and pool views. Enter architect Walker Renneker, who twisted and turned the existing floorplan into one befitting Amy’s California dreams. By taking in a guest bedroom and reconfiguring the existing bath, the architect created a larger bath with soaking tub and separate shower, his-and-her vanities, a spacious closet, and doors that fold open to a courtyard—the perfect finishing touch.
Things We Love
That Folding Door!
What could be more luxurious than a bubble bath with a view? How about one that actually becomes a part of that view? To give Amy her wish for a connection to the outside, Walker installed an operable wall system that easily opens to the courtyard.
Those Curves
The curved design of the vanities provides extra storage while allowing plenty of circulation space. Designer Sarah Peinhardt repeated the curves in the shiplap wall accents behind the mirrors.
The Floating Shower
By placing the shower in the room’s center, Walker maintained the garden views. “The shower is snug enough to offer a sense of enclosure without hindering the flow of natural light,” he says. “I appreciate that the Johnsons were willing to stretch the norm just a bit.”
The View
The site line allows for the openness and view of the garden that Amy requested yet still maintains a level of privacy and separation between the spaces. “The entire space, including the master closet, captures natural light from three sides,” says Walker. “The most prominent north-facing opening is on access with a beautifully mature Japanese maple.”
So Much Closet Space
Walker worked with the existing floorplan to carve out room for a spacious closet. “We created the closet from the original master bath, which gave us a lot of room for the design,” says the architect. Sliding barn doors open to reveal plenty of shelving and cabinetry, as well as seating and even a lantern light fixture.
RESOURCES
Architect: Walker Renneker of Tent Shop Design, 205.957.6524, tentshopdesign.com Designer: Sarah Peinhardt of Sarah Peinhardt Design Studio, 205.901.5067 Builder: Matt Cross of Cross Construction , 205.365.4088 Hardware: Brandino Brass, 205.978.8900, brandinobrass.com Fixtures: Fixtures & Finishes, 205.323.5616, fixturesandfinishes.com Countertops, Tile/Backsplash: Synergy Stone, 205.556.8115, synergystoneinc.com Floors: Fire Rock, firerock.us Folding doors/wall system: Nanawall, nanawall.com
