Although thoroughly contemporary and clean in design, this Calgary bathroom design boasts plenty of texture, pattern and detail. Decorator Alykhan Velji had worked with homeowners Aaron and Sarah Smith on updating the rest of their traditional 1950s home, and the plan remained the same in the six-by-eight-foot master ensuite: to keep the look light and airy while injecting a fresh, modern home vibe into the room. The striking travertine feature wall in the shower sets the tone for the rest of the space.

Vanity
A flat-front vanity in light grey is a simple and understated piece that allows the gorgeous custom horn handles to steal the spotlight. Since there wasn’t enough space for double sinks, decorator Alykhan Velji used this extra-wide shallow sink. A counter-to-ceiling mirror acts as a backsplash while visually expanding the small space and keeping the look clean and streamlined.
Natural horn handles
Picking up on the colour and pattern of the travertine, these natural horn handles were a splurge item that bring a special detail to the otherwise very simple vanity.
Faucet design
The squared-off faucet design and cross-shaped handles are a modern take on the traditional faucet shape.
Shower design
Homeowner Aaron Smith’s background in geological engineering drew him to the travertine slabs that Alykhan used as a feature wall in the shower. The 12-by-36-inch tiles add depth to the space, and their horizontal lines help make the bathroom appear wider.

Beautifully simple shower fixtures let natural stone remain the focal point of the room. The ceiling and side walls in the shower are a 12-by-24-inch ceramic tile in a dark grey that was pulled directly from the colouring of the travertine. The same material that was used on the ceiling and side walls covers the shower floor but in a small square pattern.
Shower essentials
A shiny turned side table complements the shower fixtures and acts as a handy spot to hold bathroom essentials.