Bathrooms

5 Tips For Creating a Scandinavian-Style Bathroom

Falken Reynolds Go Nordic for a Whistler Ensuite

By Barb Sligl /

Falken Reynolds Go Nordic for a Whistler Ensuite

After schussing down snowy slopes or kicking up gravel on singletrack, it’s sweet to hit the spa—and even sweeter if that spa is at home. That’s what the homeowners of this Whistler townhouse, just up the slopes from the Blackcomb gondola, experience when they head home to a luxe master bathroom. Designers Chad Falkenberg and Kelly Reynolds transformed the dated home into a lavish mountain getaway for the Vancouver-based homeowners, bringing Scandinavian style to the slopes.

  1. Increase the sense of space by taking the vanity off the floor. “Floating vanities make the floor space feel bigger,” says design Chad Falkenberg—like this one, which is about nine inches above the tile floor.
  1. Take advantage of your wall space for storage. Use shallow mirrored medicine cabinets to provide extra and easy-access concealed storage for smaller items.
  1. Don’t feel you have to choose between shiny or matte finishes. Shiny materials tend to feel formal, while matte is more casual and natural. Here, the bathroom is mostly matte—stone, tile, wood and paint—offset with polished chrome for a touch of sophistication.
  1. Do you really need a bathtub? “Almost everyone loves a walk-in shower over showering in a tub,” says Falkenberg. “If you really want a tub, put it in a special place that is both beautiful and relaxing.”
  1. Take it a little taller on the counter height for comfort. “A practical counter height for most people is 36 inches rather than the developer standard of 32 inches,” says Falkenberg. If you have small kids, opt for a floating vanity with space underneath to tuck away a step stool.
Barb Sligl

Barb Sligl