Forget Boring Bathrooms

Add Old-World appeal with these custom-designed and fabricated stonework elements.

Bruce Birkl, owner of Distinctive Granite and Marble loves a challenge: “We say to our customers, if you can draw it, we can fabricate it.

”While buyers entering the 14,000-square-foot Holbrook facility may initially be wowed by the thousands of stone slabs and the state-of-the-art computer-aided fabrication facility, Birkl reminds people that most designs start with a simple sketch. From there, a mock-up is crafted by hand—not machine—and shown to the customer. Then, adjustments are made to determine how the element fits the function of the room.

One room where custom work and materials can really be explored is the bathroom. Because certain areas of most bathrooms see less wear-and-tear than kitchens, some exotic stones can be considered. These include onyx, certain types of marble and limestone, which in general have softer colors than granite.

Plus, with custom fabrication, you can use stonework in areas that you may never have considered, like the floor of a shower. While most shower floors are mosaic tile or even plastic pans, Birkl says he can fabricate a one-piece marble floor, or even four pieces that all pitch toward a drain and are cut from the same piece of stone. In this case, he recommends a honed-finished floor that provides a non-slip surface.

Custom designs that can also be explored include marble and granite chair rails. These can break up the monotony of a plain wall, and when using a complimentary tile, can provide a stepping point for paint, a wall covering or a smaller size tile above the border. For an additional detail, think about continuing the chair rail around and over your vanity mirrors.

And don’t forget about the details. Custom-fabricated stone works well not just for tub decks, but in soap niches, shower seats, and thresholds and door jambs.

Photos: JP Vellotti

Connect with Distinctive Granite and Marble: www.distinctivegraniteny.com

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