Finished Bathrooms offer a grand spa feel

Bathrooms should be utilitarian, not cramped closets.  I/we enjoy bathing, showering together, having adequate space to dress, and preen.  One other design feature of the master bath and dressing area, is that guests can enter it, are free to use the space, but never have to walk through very private bedroom space.  Master bedrooms should be totally private, not thoroughfares for bathroom or closet traffic.

Master bath his/her vanities separated by linen and clothing storage. 

Close up of "her" vanity with tub back splash tile and art work above tub reflected in the mirror.

13 ft. long his/her closet with built in closet organizers.  Above closet is storage for seldom used/seasonal items.  Walk-in closets are more often than not, wasted space and too dark to be practical.

Kholer bathtubs are expensive.  This HW brand stock tank from the local feed store, cost just over $100. and is super comfortable for 2+.  The metal is never cold due to floor radiant tubing underneath the floor.  To the far left is the entry to the walk-in double shower.

A door leads to the outdoor shower off the east porch.   Someone bathing there can enter right into the dressing area.

The guest bathroom oval stock tank tub 6 ft. x 2 ft.  The stock tanks are nice and deep.  Also, this bathroom has very interesting wall angles, 3 corners are shown in the left of this photo.

Another view of the guest bath.  An open bathroom door lends to breeze pathways throughout the house.

The owners tiled in the Star of David in the master shower. 

Another view of the master shower: not shown to far right is another shower head and grab bar.

Guest bathroom shower.  Talavera tile walls, like the other shower, and slate floor.

The outdoor shower off the master suite.  There's one on the guest side of the home as well.  Pipes are disconnected and drained in October and reconnected in May to avoid freezing and broken fittings.

Read more about home design, below, in The Owner-Builder Handbook, or feel free to e-mail me to purchase a copy that has complete home photos, and more design tips.  deepgreenresults@gmail.com

Finished and unfinished kitchen: Energy efficient recessed cans - 3 zones, right, rear, and left; island pendant light; small halogen bulbs in Viking range hood - very functional kitchen layout into zones as described in "The Owner-Builder's Handbook"

Finished kitchen

Pull/roll out shelving in island and all base cabinets.  Kitchen design maximizes views out two directions so there are only hanging cabinets on one wall/fridge area.

Fo

Counter top height is custom 38"high and 34" deep + window sill depth of 18" for plenty of work space.  Notice counter top and sill heights are the same to maximize the open feel and views.

In progress before appliances and before epoxy sealant on concrete;  Bees' wax sealants may also be used, but are porous so bacteria can build.  Epoxy prevents coffee, red wine, and other stains and is a sanitary surface.

After 2 coats of lime plaster on kitchen walls, American Clay wall finish was applied in 2 coats. 

Mexican Talevera tile for island in a custom pattern planned on graph paper to scale.

German brand Blanco sink and faucet -well made and functional; sink is 12" deep, + 2" counter top depth so big pots fit under spigot with no problem.

A view to the backyard/garden from kitchen sink area.  The chef always has a nice view.

Garbage and compost bins below vegetable chopping area.  The chef doesn't let her knives touch the concrete - maple cutting boards are used for chopping.

Bottle drawer pull out to immediate left of range top for practical use.

Spice drawer insert/pullout to immediate right of range top and below baking preparation area.

Forms in place for concrete counter tops - no appliances in yet - a rough kitchen.

Pencil rebar for concrete counter tops - Rob Pogoda (husband) doing the installation.

We hired ZERO help to build our entire home.

Rob hand troweling the wet concrete.  We used a mix, but added our own colorant: left over American Clay wall color added to concrete mix to make an off-white, natural stone appearance - 2-3 tablespoons per mix.