BY
Andrea Darr
PHOTOGRAPHY
Michael Sinclair

People often say that older homes have more character, but over the course of time, poorly executed additions and outdated decorating schemes, older homes begin to take on something else: potential. That’s what architects and spouses Robert and Dixie Junk saw in their 1940s story-and-a-half Westwood home.

Previous owners had built an addition that included a master bedroom, bath and attic space. But they had failed to make the most of their space or even make sense of it. An awkward closet could barely fit dress shirts, door heights didn’t match up, and ceiling protrusions jutted out every which way. Rationalizing the space became the first step in the remodeling process.

“Everything was arbitrary,” Robert says. “The existing ceiling, for instance, had competing angles, so we started by creating alignment. We also used built-ins to create datums that then created logic.”

Sometime in the past, the pink tiles and carpet were de rigueur; today, not so much. The Junks started over with modern ideas and finishes, including a basic palette of slate, bamboo and glass. “Our aesthetic is minimalist,” Robert says. “We brought in clean lines and simple forms.”

Inspired by a Zen garden on a trip to Japan, the Junks incorporated the idea of floating planes with solid planks of custom bamboo cabinets that appear to float in space. The horizontal plane of the sink vanity appears to hover in mid-air, except where it slightly overlaps the tub deck. A bench and a makeup vanity also have the same no-fuss, linear concept.

The floating approach streamlines the room and gives the illusion of more space. Although, the way in which the Junks laid out the floor plan actually did increase the useable space. Moreover, once demolition began, they discovered 200 square feet of empty space behind the walls. Since the plans had already been drawn up, the bonus space became a meditation room. “We saw it like a chapel, a place to get away,” Dixie says. A popped dormer facing east with an operable skylight gives a nice  quality of light throughout the day. A textured blue accent wall and fountain add to the calming feeling.

The Junks made additional storage space by installing a ledge behind the sink vanity and recessing a niche for soap. Over the stairs, they reclaimed enough space to install a slate slab bench for putting on shoes. A frosted glass pocket door with  a mirror on the back slides open to the walk-in closet instead of having a door open in and out.

Plenty of attic space was left over for mechanical systems, which were updated and zoned just for the upstairs level. It used to be that the Junks couldn’t make it through two showers without running out of hot water. A tankless hot water heater stopped that problem. The systems are accessible through a clever drop down panel in the meditation room.

Also cleverly planned was a built-in makeup vanity with a flip top, inside compartments, outlets and lights. When closed, it takes on the same dimensions as the other floating bamboo sets. While the Junks had space for the vanity, they thought it would be just another luxury — something unnecessary — in the room. But Dixie has found it otherwise. “It’s amazing that the things we thought we didn’t need, we do,” she says. “The vanity is something I use every day.”

The finishes — bamboo with a carmelized finish and slate floor — were chosen for their natural and simplistic qualities. Subtly, the slate transitions from matte on the floors for safety to honed in the shower for easier cleaning. Brushed nickel accents — seen in the plumbing fixtures and vessel sinks — and a gold glazed paint finish add shine.

But the real shine comes from the light in the room. In addition to a combination of daylighting from an existing skylight and window and updated light fixtures, the Junks’ lighting plan consists of LED glass panels behind the tub and mirror and on top of the shower wall. At night, they give the space a soft glow.

While much attention was paid to numerous details that only two people will see on a daily basis, it makes much sense to be so careful: “This is where you organize yourself for the day,” Dixie says.


Resources
Carpentry: Dave Kramer
Bathroom cabinets: Jerry Green Millwork
Bamboo: Teragren from Schutte Lumber
Hardware: Hafele America Co., Restoration Hardware
Plumbing fixtures: Toto and Kohler from The Water Closet
Plumbing fittings: Grohe and Kohler from The Water Closet
Shower enclosure: Dixie Glass
Lighting fixtures: Eureka and Sirius from City Lighting
Tile: Expo Design Center
Paint: Benjamin Moore from Gragg’s Paint
Skylights/Roof windows: Velux