When it comes to bling, focus on your master bathroom. Wouldn’t it be invigorating to begin your day in an airy, spacious bathroom of marble? With the trend toward nesting and home improvement, go for the gold by turning a functional room into a sanctuary where you long to linger. Consider high-end glass, elaborate mosaics and exotic accents.

To capture a timeless elegance for your spa bathroom, select tiles in earth tones. If you have an appetite for pattern, set tiles diagonally to add texture and movement or introduce a mosaic medallion in the flooring. What’s hot? Architectural details such as pillars lend a chic grandeur. This example of a dream bathroom in Englewood, New Jersey, marries distressed Olivestone, polished Botticino marble and stone etchings to achieve a luxurious harmony.

The Floor
Distressed Olivestone, a tumbled limestone from Italy, is laid on the diagonal in large 16" x 16" tiles. Each tile is clipped twice with a stone etching named “Small Blossom”. Italian artisans produced the 3 1/4" x 3 1/4" inserts on the floor from creamy Botticino marble by using the ancient aquaforte acid etching technique. Each tile is a unique work of art, because the acid enhances the natural shade variations of the stone. A mesh of 5/8" x 5/8" polished Botticino provides a border.

Tip: By utilizing sheet mosaics and cutting them down, an intricate mosaic panel can be created cost effectively. The floor medallion is composed of four 3 1/4" x 3 1/4" Small Blossom stone etchings on each corner with a 16" x 16" stone etching center piece. The overall piece is created by slicing off the Botticino and 5/8 " x 5/8" tumbled Olivestone mosaics.

Interior Walls
The theme of distressed Olivestone is laid on the diagonal in 8" x 8" tiles. The capping detail is a 2" x 12" polished Botticino chair rail with a 4" x 16" stone etching called “Flourish with Pearls.” Columns are wrapped with 1" x 1" Olivestone tumbled mosaics and 5/8" x 5/8" polished Botticino stone mosaics. The wall has the 31/4" x 31/4" Small Blossom etching encased with Botticino mosaics.

Tip: For visual variety, cut the tile into a rectangular shape. The Olivestone is cut to 4" x 8" and combined with the mosaic to create a base detail.

The Vanity
The vanity top of Botticino honed marble with ogee edge supports a stone vessel sink of Crema Marfil, a Spanish marble, and weathered brass fixtures. Hanging lights of champagne alabaster complete the look with Roman carvings rendered in architectural bronze. The mirror was ‘faux’ painted by decorative painter Nancy Hansen of Alpine, New Jersey, to achieve the same color as the fixtures.

The Shower
Custom shower doors were made according to the designer’s specifications.