Story by Ann Butenas | Photography by Matt Kocourek
Located near Loose Park stands a 100-year-old home that recently received a stunning bathroom makeover by Muse Home, LLC. At the helm of this transformation was owner and designer Matt Bryde, who undertook the challenge of revitalizing the vintage bathroom and bringing it into the 21st century.
Initially, the entire space had to be gutted down to its non-bearing walls. While the original layout was reimagined, Bryde made every effort to respect the room’s history.
“I had a vision for the space,” he indicated, noting the owners’ keen interest in retaining elements dear to them.
A major feat of the redesign was the utilization of every square inch. The details reflect luxury and meticulous thought. Champagne bronze pulls adorn the cabinets, serving as eye-catching accents throughout the room. The flooring is especially opulent, with 12 x 24 marble tiles exuding elegance and comfort, as they are equipped with an underfoot heating system.
The real pièce de résistance is the state-of-the-art tub. This isn’t just any bathtub; it uses effervescent bubbles designed to ease stiff joints. Additionally, built-in light tones and available aromatherapy applications ensure a bathing experience that’s nothing short of transformative. Plus, all these features can be controlled via a smartphone.
Adjacent to this is a shower space showcasing inlaid marble and cut-out niches for sitting and storage. The shower is equipped with versatile handhelds offering varied sprays, and as you step out, a warm towel from the nearby heated towel bar awaits you. The level of intricacy in this project is evidenced from the fact that Bryde used over 200 feet of electrical cord, meticulously pulled through the house, to ensure features like the heated floors and heated towel bar run on individual circuits.
Bryde’s craftsmanship is further apparent in the quartz countertops and the custom-built cabinet/vanity. Another standout feature is the tub filler, which Bryde described as “a grandiose piece of plumbing equipment,” emerging directly from the ground. The bathroom also boasts raised panel wainscoting by the tub, rebuilt window grates true to the original style, an automatic window shade, and four strategically placed can lights, replacing the lone central light of days gone by.
The once dark-hued space is now a testament to the genius of Muse Home, LLC and the collaborative spirit of the homeowners. It’s a reminder that with vision, even the oldest corners of our homes can be turned into modern-day sanctuaries.
