Japanese Dream

Challenge

“There must be a Japanese soaking tub,” was the first thing our client said. She went on to describe her dream for her modern 2 bedroom, 2 bath condominium in the heart of San Francisco as “Zen with a touch of industrial.”

Solution

  • Transform the master bedroom, two closets and traditional western bathroom into a private master suite, with a dressing room and the much desired traditional Japanese wood Ofuru soaking tub.
  • Introduce a minimum of carefully selected materials for a warm unifying background that visually expands the space. Select an Italian ceramic tile for use for both kitchen floor and bathroom floors and walls. Complete the mix with light maple cabinetry accented by shapes of shining chrome.
  • Working entirely within existing plumbing restrictions, GSCI carefully engineered the master bathroom.
    • Raise the floor to accommodate needed plumbing which was connected to the existing system. Include a ramp for easy entry and a sealed wet area for the shower and Ofuru soaking tub.
    • Design a custom vanity and storage tower with pull out storage that doubles as privacy for the new Toto toilet and convenient toilet paper storage. Add frosted glass to complete the toilet privacy enclosure.
    • Bring in an extra-large mirrored medicine cabinet.
    • Install soft LED lighting including one fixture connected to a sensor so night visits are safe and easy.
  • Update the kitchen with a sculptural faucet, sink, accessories and new appliances. Install new simple cabinet doors and hardware and a beautiful industrial looking countertop with classic white backsplash.
  • Enlarge the guest shower stall by claiming void space the builder left in an internal wall.
  • Enhance the guest bath with a new Toto toilet plus new cabinet and drawer fronts and hardware. Transform a tiny, shallow closet into a beautiful lit maple shelving unit.
  • Extend the Italian ceramic tile into the formerly carpeted closet for the washer/dryer. Special sound absorbing pads were added under the machine to limit noise.
  • Place sculptural LED wall sconces throughout the living space for general lighting. Swap out dated fixtures with sleek new ones. Add LED lights to closets.
  • The Italian ceramic tile was extended into the formerly carpeted closet for the washer/dryer. Special sound absorbing pads were added under the machine to limit noise.
  • Add a subtle paint palette of grays.

  • Results

    A beautiful, luxurious, livable space with Japanese grace.