For the primary bath of a landmarked Tudor residence in Dallas, designer Summer Thornton employed three different types of marble to achieve its dynamic appearance. Hammered German Silver tiles from Paris Ceramics offset marble flooring. The space is outfitted with a polished-nickel tub from Catchpole & Rye, fittings from Waterworks, Murano-glass vanity scones from Jean-Marc Fray and a Vaughan ceiling fixture.
When interior designer Summer Thornton’s Dallas client asked for a marble primary bath, she took the request to heart, sheathing the space in not one, but three different types: Arabescato Corchia in large-format slabs; Grey Lilac on the sink vanities; and Calacatta Viola for the makeup vanity, casings and windowsills. “It was quite the puzzle to install, but the nuance adds depth and interest,” says the Chicago-based designer. “The accent marbles are powerful, without being jarring. We were drawn to both the lilac shade as well as the Calacatta Viola’s plum tones.”
All three stones also make an appearance on the floor, where they are carefully laid out in a “Mondrian-esque pattern” in conjunction with strategically placed textured metallic tiles. The latter, along with a polished-nickel soaking tub and an antique wall mirror, bring additional light into the space. “There’s only one window, so these reflective surfaces bounce light around the room, making it feel twice as large,” notes Thornton.
The metallic fittings and accents were also chosen to help add warmth, which is important in all-stone baths that can sometimes come across as cold. To further encourage an inviting atmosphere, Thornton selected cerused-oak wooden cabinetry and a tactile wicker vanity chair to complete the stunning scheme.
