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Studio Reverie

Musings

Cathedral Hill Bathroom

Saint Paul, Minnesota · 2026

In a strange way, a bathroom is similar to a chapel. It is a distinguished place, occupying a private area of the home where we are undisturbed, and where cleansing rituals occur.

This project draws inspiration from the architecture in the imaginative paintings of Alma Tadema and takes on a dream-like quality. Three watercolor elevations unfold to tell the story of materiality suited for this new space: Floor to ceiling coral colored marble with subtle molding details and carefully placed niches call to mind a kind of sanctuary in which to reflect, sit, or bathe.

A large arch, centered on the door and visible from the approaching hall, frames the bathtub.

Experiential views offered by the model further develop some of the details of the space and express the effects of architectural shades and shadows throughout.

Preliminary drawings. Not for construction.

Watercolour elevation in pale coral-veined marble. A tall round-headed arch rises over a marble washstand on slender dark metal legs, with a wall sconce either side. On the return wall beside it, a small arched niche.
The vanity wall
Watercolour elevation of a great arch in coral-veined marble, framing a deeper arched recess over the bathtub, with a sconce on either side of the inner arch.
The bath arch
Watercolour elevation with dimension lines. A toilet sits beneath a tall arched niche, a smaller arched niche is set into the marble wall to its left, and a panelled door stands in an arched surround to the right, with a fan noted above.
The door wall
Photograph of the white card model from above, looking down into the room: the arch over the bath at the far end, an oval mirror and basin on the left, and the toilet on the right.
The model, from above
Photograph inside the model at eye level, looking toward the great arch and its nested arched recesses over the bath, with the edge of the basin on dark metal legs in the foreground.
The model, toward the bath
Photograph of the model opened out: an arched mirror with brass sconces above a long basin on black metal legs, and beside it the arch framing the bath, with a small arched niche inside.
The model, opened out