Fun fact about the word “Design” comes from the Latin designare, which means to designate.
So what are we designating? Is it only style or beauty? Is the designation our own arbitrary opinion as designers? And most importantly, what role does the owner play in this process?
Let’s be practical and answer these questions using an ongoing project that is fairly simple to understand and yet full of valuable information: A Master Bathroom.
You can’t really get more personal with clients than when designing their master bathroom. Sometimes this can feel a bit like crossing the line but hey, everything in the name of a functional space!
First off, we need to know their routines and how they like to use the space, and if they’re a couple we also need to know how they want to interact with each other or how they don’t. It’s important to keep in mind that asking the right questions is sometimes more important than assuming the obvious answers. So we’re glad to know who get’s to shower first.
In this case the project was created for a couple with 2 kids in a very nice neighborhood in Largo Florida. Within their new home a very important item was of course the master bathroom.
(Bathroom framing).
The basics were pretty much known and agreed by them: having independent vanities, a shared toilet, a big shower with all sorts of showering modes (yes, this is actually a thing), enough storage space and a nice piece of built-in furniture to organize towels and other supplies. After the layout was done using this information you could think that it was time to pick the materials, appliances and hardware. In most cases and for most designers you’d be right, but for us this is only the beginning of the process.
(Bathroom 3D model - Basic Layout).
This is where you’ll find the line between a good design and a design that will change your life, and here are the real answers to every design question. If you are aware of the extent of these questions, the designation of elements becomes obvious and quite beautiful.
(Master Bathroom Design - Initial Stage).
How do you want to feel when you enter space? When do you prefer to take baths? Where do you do your makeup? How private do you want to feel?
These questions matter and the results are visible.
For example, if you like to take bath at night you should consider having indirect low lighting to make the floor and the edges of the bath visible, and use them instead of turning on the blinding ceiling lights. This can also create a perfect atmosphere for a relaxing bath.
For this project we went over these questions and successfully got the information that allowed us and the client to designate and make decisions, and with the help of our highly visual process everything went smooth and the space is currently under construction.
(Master Bathroom Rendering - Version A).
(Master Bathroom Rendering - Version B).
Needless to say the clients are extremely happy about being listened to and understood in a level that will change their daily life.