In a Century-Old Home, This Bathroom Strikes a Balance Between Past and Present
Inspired by the drama of historic European hotels, Melanie Turner Interiors and Source teamed up to design a husband’s bathroom with cool, contemporary style
During a full renovation of their clients’ century-old home, Melanie Turner Interiors and Source collaborated to custom-design a bold bathroom that draws inspiration from the architectural marvels found abroad. “The husband’s bathroom is a nod to the refined elegance of early 20th-century European baths—those found in grand houses and the finest hotels of the era,” says Turner.
“What immediately drew us in was the opportunity to create a space that broke from the expected—one that felt moody, tailored, and unapologetically luxurious,” adds Brittany Stafford, who cofounded design firm Source with Cydney Mitchell. They jumped at the chance to craft something dramatic, yet deeply refined. “The creative alignment between our teams gave us the freedom to push boundaries and focus on nuance.”
While the vision may have been rooted in the past, the end result is distinctly modern. With expert use of scale, material contrast, and restraint, Stafford describes the bathroom as “collected, confident, and full of presence.”
To create depth and richness without crossing into visual heaviness, the design team intentionally created a strong palette of dark woods, antiqued mirrors, and luxe stone. A single slab of Panda White with a honed finish forms a focal wall—Stafford’s favorite element in the bathroom. “Its veining is expressive and immersive; it sets the tone for everything else,” she says, adding that the marble becomes both art and an anchor, bringing an air of sophistication.
To complement the slab, Source selected a mosaic of hexagon-shaped Thassos and Nero Marquina tiles for the floor. In the shower, a smaller hexagon tile in a reverse colorway continues the motif. Metallic chrome accents shine like jewelry on evening wear, while a teal velvet bench adds texture.
“Through our collaboration with Melanie, every choice was calibrated,” says Stafford. “We used repetition and symmetry to ground the design, and softened the drama with tactile finishes and layered lighting.”
Resources BATHROOM DESIGNER Source INTERIOR DESIGNER Melanie Turner Interiors ARCHITECT Pak Heydt & Associates BUILDER T-Olive Properties FAUCETRY Waterworks MILLWORK AND CABINETRY Karpaty