Accessible Bathroom with Masculine Luxury

Alright so masculine isn’t a typical adjective given to bathrooms. Images of a car or action movie themed bathroom may come to mind. Which for the right client would be pretty awesome. But when you add in the word luxury then the image shifts more towards sophistication and a country club feel. Which is what the client in this ASID award winning accessible bathroom by certified interior designer, Carla Aston, requested.

This is a spacious and richly colored bathroom that’s not obviously wheelchair accessible. Here is what Aston says the client requested:

My wheelchair bound client needed accessibility but did not want it to be obvious. A masculine feel with spa-like quality was desired.

Real quick as I have mentioned before in previous articles, try not to use words like wheelchair bound or confined to a wheelchair. As a disability advocate, I know many prefer wheelchair user or person who uses a wheelchair.

Moving on let’s look at the accessibility features of the bathroom. In the top picture there is a great looking double sink vanity. The granite counter is roll-under and offers plenty of space to set items on. Mirrors are installed at a low height to allow a wheelchair user to easily see themselves. Rich mahogany for the cabinetry creates a grounded contrast to the lighter toned tiles in the rest of the bathroom. Storage is off to the side and between the sinks with a nice cubby area. A wide 3ft wide door made of louvered mahogany then makes an accessible entrance/exit.

Beyond the vanity in this spacious bathroom is a nicely designed roll-in shower. Built into one corner, with a partition wall made of glass block. This separates the shower area while still letting in light and keeping open feel of the space. Mahogany tops the glass block wall to match the trim along the tops of the walls. The walls and floor are covered in a slate that has a color scheme called “painted desert”. The hand held shower, controls, and grab bars are matched with a dark bronze or antique finish which goes with the dark mahogany. Here the user is using a tub transfer bench in a shower area. With a shower space this big this makes sense because the bench offers more seat space.

Aston’s client had a request for an accessible masculine bathroom with luxury and she delivered. To see more of Carla Aston’s work, visit her website astondesignstudio.com or her blog designinthewoods.blogspot.com