Bathrooms With Character: Changing Room

This South Orange bathroom, one in a series of four showing alternatives to all-white spaces, was formerly an unused bedroom

The new primary bathroom features a deep soaking tub, a heated floor, a bidet toilet and a steam shower with a rain shower head, body sprays and a free-floating marble bench. The clients opted to include air jets in the shower. Architect Jung Lee Masters says, “The air jets essentially blow on the walls and glass enclosure to prevent streaks.”

A surplus of bedrooms and a scarcity of bathrooms — that was the issue facing Daniel DeMarti and Dominick Federico in their circa-1916 South Orange home. “There were five bedrooms and only one bathroom on the second floor,” DeMarti says. The goal, then, was take one of the bedrooms and transform it into a primary bathroom.

Jung Lee Masters, RA, NCARB, of Maplewood-based JLM Architecture and Design LLC, explains the logistics of the project. “With ample space for a five-piece bathroom, the challenge was to design a layout without interrupting or changing the original crown molding and details of the floor below. I wanted to ensure that the location of the plumbing fixtures wouldn’t disrupt that, and I wanted to create a suite that was inviting.”

Masters created an inviting, feel-good space within the allotted square footage, featuring a bathtub, separate shower, two sinks and a water closet without disturbing the millwork below. In addition, Jung says, the new space remains true to the home’s roots. “We ensured that the casing and the base and crown molding matched the existing details in the home.” Federico adds, “The beams that were added offer a more cohesive architectural look throughout the house and make it feel more special than before.”

White sinks flank a vintage bench. Masters says, “I’m a fan of symmetry and balance. That makes for a harmonious space to inhabit.” The ceiling and window moldings recreate those on the first floor. “Jan Marek of MJ22-LLC did an amazing job of recreating those profiles,” Masters says.

The room’s primarily green palette also makes the room distinctive. “We weren’t searching for a green bathroom,” DeMarti explains. “We saw an inspirational bathroom online and it happened to be green.” It was a serendipitous find in that it called to mind the home’s roofing tiles. “We had a broken tile from the roof that we took with us when we went tile shopping; we wanted the color to be close to that,” Federico says.

“The clients made their own interior selections,” Masters says. “They were very much invested and wanted to be part of the design process. It’s such a pleasure for me to work with clients who are enthusiastic and excited about honoring the house and creating something beautiful and uniquely theirs.”

Learn about the other three bathrooms in this Bathrooms With Character series at “Nodding to Nature,” “Creating Impact” and “Moody & Timeless.”