The design for the granite tub surround and curved shower seat proved challenging to install. "The granite was installed in two pieces, which required precise cutting, as well as perfectly level installation in order to achieve the appearance of a single piece," said Marsha Topham, Senior Project Architect of CG&S Design-Build.

Located in the North Hills area of Austin, TX, a townhouse was redesigned to feature a more exposed layout and also update the finishes of the existing master bath. Designed by Marsha Topham, Senior Project Architect of CG&S Design-Build, the homeowner wished to incorporate a warm color range, with a strong red accent of natural stone and tile.

During the material selection process, the architect showed the homeowner combinations of stone and tile -- providing options of different materials and size pieces, which also met the client's budget. In addition, Louise McMahon, interiors consultant of Perfect Palette, in Austin, TX, also contributed in selecting the finishes with the homeowner. In the end, Imperial Red granite caught the client's eye, so it was featured extensively throughout the master bath. With that, tiles within the same color range were then selected for the floor and part of the walls.
 

A recent redesign of a townhouse in the North Hills area of Austin, TX, included remodeling an existing master bath with the use of natural stone and tile. The vanity countertop is fabricated from Imperial Red granite.

"Our client, who is actually an artist, wanted to employ a stone with a strong color in the design of the master bath," said Marsha Topham. "Therefore, Imperial Red granite slabs [with a thickness of 2 cm] supplied by Moe Freid Marble and Granite of Manchaca, TX, were used for the vanity countertop, tub deck and part of the low wall that separates toilet and tub. It was also employed at the top of the ledges in both the vanity and shower, and as a pencil liner set in a decorative ceramic tile border."

Aside from the granite, an extensive amount of tile was also included in the redesign of the master bath. According to Topham, the stone-look wall tile is from the Da Vinci Collection by Mediterranea. It is incorporated in different sizes, including 13 x 13, 61/2 x 61/­2 and 2 x 2 inches. Additionally, the shower floor consists of 1-x 1-inch mosaic tile from the Willow Collection, and the shower wall consists of a 2- x 2-inch pieces from the Legacy Glass Collection-- both from American Olean.
 

The bathroom floor consists of 12- x 12-inch stone-look tiles from the Da Vinci Collection by Mediterranea, while the shower floor is comprised of 1- x 1-inch mosaic tiles from the Willow Collection by American Olean. Additionally, the shower wall features 2- x 2-inch tiles from American Olean's Legacy Glass Collection.

According to the architect, the design for the granite tub surround and curved shower seat proved challenging to install. "The granite was installed in two pieces, which required precise cutting, as well as perfectly level installation in order to achieve the appearance of a single piece."

In total, it took about four months to finish the redesign of the master bath. "The homeowner loves the rich color and ease of care of the stone, and she also enjoys the warm color range with the strong red accent," said the architect.