Elma Gardner, CMKBD, discusses the painstaking process of bringing together all the elements of a custom primary suite.

 By Dianne M. Pogoda

 

Indoor and outdoor kitchens, indoor and outdoor fireplaces, multiple shower systems, bedroom, bathroom, library, a killer dressing room complete with washer-dryer — this sounds like it could be a full house, but it’s actually just the primary suite in a Las Vegas remodel designed by Elma Gardner, CMKBD.

In “Deconstructed: The Owner’s Suite,” at NKBA’s Luxury Bath Summit, held in partnership with Cambria and sponsored by House of Rohl, Gardner talked about the process of integrating all the design and tech elements and a mixed slate of materials to create a luxurious, cohesive space. The session was moderated by Pam McNally, NKBA’s SVP of Marketing + Digital.

 

The Overview

The key to this suite was designing it holistically, said Gardner, owner and president of By Design Studio in Davis, Calif. The project was a full remodel, and the entire second floor, where the primary suite is situated, was new. Upon entering the suite from the modern, steel-rail stairway, one arrives in a loft library, where there’s a secret door that leads to a bedroom, bathroom, morning kitchen, dressing closet and outdoor space.

The clients, a busy executive couple, wanted a focus on health and wellness. In the bathroom, Gardner used chromotherapy and hydrotherapy, which have been shown to enhance mood; reduce swelling, migraines and other pains; accelerate healing, as well as increase circulation.

Design elements, including color and materials, carry the design through the full space. All the woodwork is European rough-hewn oak, used for cabinetry as well as trim. A partition wall separating the library from the bedroom is not a bearing wall, but rather a storage unit constructed on-site.

Fixtures

  • A Kohler Soak Tub is designed to keep water flowing and has an overflow channel around all four sides. Hydro jets create continuous water movement, and the user is fully immersed in the water, creating a different experience from a regular bathtub.
  • The shower features two complete shower head systems with a hand-held unit in between. Natural stone lines the walls and a sloped ceiling is clad in teak, to hide the steam apparatus and warm up the space. Gardner repeated the teak in floor slats, which are removable for cleaning, and in the tub surround. “When you have a bathroom full of hard surfaces, using wood is a natural element that brings the outdoors in and creates a texture that’s not easily found in other products,” she said, noting tactile experiences are a key design direction.

Universal design principles include a zero-threshold shower, a bench in the shower and two floating benches just outside the shower. Floating vanities allow ample room underneath and for a generous turning radius, should a wheelchair or mobility device be needed in the future.

  • Two separate water closets with intelligent toilets by Kohler offer full bidet function.  

Integrated Tech

Gardner noted that our daily lives are overstimulated by screens and technology, and using tech in the bathroom can seem somewhat contradictory to the desire to unplug. “People want a spa-like relaxation and serenity in the bathroom, but they also want to enjoy the aspects that technology provides. So technology integration is key in this space.” 

Lighting, shades, shower controls and tub filler are all controllable from a keypad (although there are manual override switches as well), and lighting scenes for morning, evening or sleeping can be preset. Crestron is the home automation system. “Everyone wants it, but no one wants to see it,” she said. “And they all want easy access and control.”

Verdera lighted smart mirrors with medicine cabinets on either side are voice-controlled, compatible with Amazon Alexa, to provide instant access to music and news. 

Bonus Spaces

Gardner designed a morning kitchen as part of the space as well, including refrigerator drawers, sink, compact 18-inch dishwasher and coffee/wine bar with built-in coffee maker. There’s an indoor stone-clad fireplace anchoring a sitting area, as well as an outdoor fireplace for cool nights. The terrace also features an outdoor kitchen, which is accessed through a full wall of sliding glass panels, overlooking the swimming pool and spa. 

“It’s designed so the homeowners don’t have to go downstairs for anything once they’ve retired for the evening,” she said. “When they have the whole family over, with kids, grandkids, especially for extended stays, it’s nice to have a private place to retreat to.”

On the opposite side of the bathroom is a connected dressing room, which features wall-to-wall cabinetry for clothes, shoes and accessories, as well as a center island of drawers, so everything can be hidden away to create a serene, clutter-free space. There’s also a washer-dryer tucked into the closet.

Gardner said incorporating the warm woods in the space was her favorite design element, but added, “My favorite part of the suite was being able to do the entire suite. It’s lovely when you can run with an idea, and layer all the elements required to create a unique space, from the loft library to the outdoor kitchen. We’re not always fortunate enough to have this kind of scope. It was wonderful to have that breadth of the project, and do the integration, which isn’t always easy when you’re designing a room in isolation.”

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.