Creating a space that is at once functional and inviting, yet still a private haven. By Dianne M. Pogoda

 

A new ranch home in the Pacific Northwest was the blank canvas for a designer and homeowner to create a spa-like sanctuary, melding elegant and rustic design elements and making it flow with the rest of the house. 

In “Center Stage: Creating a Timelessly Elegant Bath That Meets the Needs of the Entire Family,” designer Garrison Hullinger and his client Shelly Erwin talked about the home — and dynamic relationship — they built during the extensive building process. The session was part of the NKBA Luxury Bath Summit, presented in partnership with Cambria and sponsored by House of Rohl. It was moderated by NKBA VP of Marketing, Pamela McNally.

Hullinger was tasked with creating the nerve center of the Erwins’ new-build home: A primary suite that features a dressing area, a relaxing retreat to enjoy coffee or a glass of wine, doing laundry, working out — and being able to bathe the family’s French bulldog.

Hullinger, principal of Garrison Hullinger Interiors, whose team was involved in the entire project, from site use and architectural design to space planning and interiors, said continuity through the home was important. He aimed for smooth transitions between the various parts of the home, incorporating elements and surfaces that at once made the spaces unique but also cohesive.

Creating a Design Balance

One of the design challenges was that Erwin’s husband, Cody, was looking for more of a western, rustic sensibility, while she wanted a more sophisticated, glam aesthetic. Hullinger used neutral tones as a bridge between the two vibes, mixing elements like dark wood cabinetry with white and light stone, matte black hardware and fixtures, a barrel ceiling with slender light sconces and a chandelier, and a tile backsplash that mixed white marble and dark wood in an angled pattern. It’s a sophisticated style that incorporates a rustic ambience by using wood, he said. While Shelly initially wanted a white space, Hullinger introduced warmer tones to make the space more timeless. 

Hullinger designed this wing of the house almost as a separate apartment. It has its own identity with separate closets, a generous laundry room, a coffee bar and fitness center.

What Makes It Work

“It’s the flow that really makes the whole suite work,” said Shelly Erwin, who said the biggest challenge was getting her design sensibility and that of her husband on the same wavelength. “You can have privacy in any part of the primary suite — it’s truly a retreat, and separate from every other part of the house.” 

A few unexpected elements took the project over the top, Erwin said. For example, she said she was surprised about how much she loves the towel warmers. Hullinger said he considers a bidet and a towel warmer to be essential, and as he brought up the ideas, they talked it through and now the Erwins consider them essential, too.

Hullinger said little features — like a hidden door that connects the husband’s and wife’s individual offices, or having adequate daylight, even in closets — make the space work well. Trading linear feet of wall space for a window is worth it, he added, and taking advantage of the beautiful vistas is restorative.

The Erwins’ property is vast, so window coverings aren’t needed for privacy from the neighbors, but they installed layered window treatments for additional style details. Filtered light adds a warm glow to the design, he noted, and layered lighting provides task, overhead and ambient illumination appropriate for the different areas, from the bathing to closets.

Hullinger used reflective materials to be sure to maximize the light that comes into the space, considering that the home is in a part of the country that doesn’t get abundant sunshine at certain times of the year.

Final Thoughts

Both homeowner and designer offered a few points of advice for undertaking such a project: “Know what you want,” Erwin said, “but be open to change.”

Hullinger added, “Listen. Absorb what you’re hearing from your client, find out about their lifestyle and get to know them. Are there places where you’ve traveled that you love? Or, will there be a dog in here? It’s trying to understand their life and formulate the elements that they might enjoy. And be OK with giving them choices, and understand that it’s their decision, not yours. Each time they make a selection, you get to build on it.” 

NKBA’s Luxury Bath Summit was based on the exclusive 2022 Luxury Bath research report. The report is available for NKBA members to download as part of their annual membership. Non-members may purchase the report for $1,995. Visit NKBA Research to download.

The Luxury Bath Summit is available to watch on demand. Members need to log in to nkba.org and may view at no additional charge; non-members who registered may access the videos as part of their registration fee; other non-members may purchase the video package for $99. Click here for more.