Sea Dreams - Kansas City Homes & Style

This serene new bathroom awakens a sense of calm and relaxation.

Story by Judy Goppert | Photography by Laurie Kilgore Photography

Amy Krause, Amy Krause Design, has a personal connection to the new snazzy bathroom she designed.

“Our clients live in my neighborhood! Our boys played sports together in school,” Amy explained. “The homes in our neighborhood were built in the 90’s and many are in need of attention, both in terms of updating and improving functionality for their lifestyle. After walking through their home and discussing their favorite spaces they had already updated, we called our aesthetic direction ‘modern rustic.’”

After completing the other projects in their home, the clients decided they wanted to update their primary bathroom to reflect their personal style and personalities. Functionally, the original shower was too small, the bathtub too big and obsolete, and the space lacked a door to their bedroom.

“A simple curtain and rod hung in the doorway for privacy. The ceiling was very choppy with soffits and varying wall heights which detracted from its peaceful and relaxing qualities,” Amy noted.

They installed a pocket door for privacy and sound control, removed the soffits and leveled the ceiling. The clients also love their new separate vanities. Amy added, “The homeowner says it keeps the peace! Her sink has wall towers flanking the sink with hidden outlets allowing her easy access to bathroom items like her hairdryer and electric toothbrush while keeping the countertops open and tidy.”

The star of the shower is the magnificent sea glass-colored back tile wall. The clients wanted color, so cues were taken from the adjacent bedroom’s blue-green bedding along with the general aesthetic in the spaces they particularly love. The wall tile is a porcelain hex design made in Spain with an encaustic look to give it that handmade feel while being perfectly practical in the shower.

“They enlarged the shower and included a large showerhead and handheld shower spray. The plumbing line and collection we had specified did not offer a large enough shower head, so our local plumbing specialist helped us locate one from a different line that was compatible, so they were able to maintain the aesthetic while enjoying the small luxuries that were important to them,” she continued. “They have two adorable dogs, so the space is now comfortable and functional for them, as well as their dogs!”

Amy also knew her clients, especially the wife, wanted something sparkly for the chandelier and they found the perfect combination of sparkle and spirit that complemented the warm and rustic elements of the design.

The clients enjoy boating, sports, and having fun and wanted their bathroom to be able to keep up, which meant curating an ideal team of contractors and industry professionals to get their bathroom done right. Functionality and beauty were essential but the importance of crafting a bathroom that supported their active lifestyles was also understood. Now, this space is a proper home retreat and the ideal space to recharge at the end of their day and begin each day anew.“

They are thrilled with their new space! It gave them a fresh start by having their personalized home retreat realized,” Amy expressed.