Casa Fresen

Project Details

Project Description

This eclectic space demonstrates a happy coexistence of serenity and complexity.

The shower stall walls demand your attention with a geometric tile pattern based on tile the owners photographed in Morocco. With each travertine and marble tile hand cut, the pattern can be interpreted in a number of ways. Do you see thunder-birds, bow-ties, racing flags, interlocking squares, or squares within squares marching up at an angle to the left or right? While the cool colors, materials and textures are relaxing and encourage contemplation, the tile pattern makes it an active and interesting meditation. Unlike longtime trends, this project revives the ART of tile setting.

Amenities in the shower include a bench under a west window, a niche for soap and shampoo and an interior window which serves as a stage for sculpture.

A floating double vanity is built of bamboo with a soapstone counter. Round, brushed nickel hardware recalls Asian architectural themes. Behind the rectangular vessel sinks with waterfall faucets, counter-top storage is hidden behind sliding doors in an updated version of a retro design. The counter-top storage provides an additional shelf for the owners' collection of sands they've collected from beaches around the world and a bonsai tree.

A dual flush toilet is tucked in to a stall next to the shower. Additional storage is provided behind a bamboo door that matches the vanity. The walls and ceiling are of custom hand-troweled plaster with integral pigment and mica to sparkle in sunlight from a sun-tube during the day and light from energy-efficient LED lights at night. Timers on the ventilation fan and the hot water circulation pump save energy. Water is re-used in a grey-water planter.

The floor tile is the same travertine used on the shower walls. The door is custom designed to echo the intriguing tile pattern.