An Arts and Crafts revival

Story by Tosha Kelly • Photos by Arctic Edge Photography

Inspired by a hammered copper tub they found while on a fishing trip in Texas, Beverly and Roger Floerchinger incorporated their love for the Arts and Crafts style to remodel their once pretty-in-pink master bathroom.

When the couple bought the home in 2001, the bathroom was a study in pink. There was the pink Jacuzzi tub, pink tile, pink sinks and pink trim. The room was a wonderful space overlooking the Alaska Range, "but neither of us love pink," Bev says. "Eventually we started having some problems with the glass block in the shower, then the light fixtures were problematic, and before we knew it, we had a full-blown remodel on our hands."

The bathroom was the first "down-to-the-studs" project for the Floerchingers. "The Jacuzzi tub was on a platform, and heating had to be re-routed into the floor. We did have some wiring to adjust for, and since the stone floor is naturally cold, we put in SunTouch to keep it warm. A luxury indeed, but at 50 degrees below zero, a cantilevered floor, no matter how well insulated, is cold," Bev explains.

The Arts and Crafts design reflects the couple's love for woodworking. "We both grew up in Montana and there is a tremendous Arts and Crafts influence in homes we admired," says Bev. "It is clean, simple and lets the species of wood speak for itself."

Since they like to work with different types of wood, the couple chose quarter-sawn white oak for the cabinets, his-and-hers vanities, wainscoting and trim. This type of wood is traditionally used in many Arts and Crafts-style applications. It's stronger, less likely to warp and split, and has a refined grain pattern with its distinct stripes across the board.

Complementing the white oak are the oil rubbed bronze faucets, amber lights and sage Venetian plastered walls. "Doing the Venetian plaster was fun because of texture," says Bev, "yet I enjoy working with polyurethane to achieve a perfectly smooth surface on wood just as well."

Capturing the charm and true essence of the Arts and Crafts era is the hammered copper tub made by artisans in Mexico – Bev's favorite part of the bathroom. "Once we found that, it was easy to build around," she says. "It's the center of the room, and optically, the first thing you see."

Roger and Bev run their own business, so woodworking is only a pastime. "We are fortunate that we view our projects as a hobby," she says, "so it's not as frustrating as it might be to other homeowners that just want the job 'done.' Our biggest concern was to do it right and that does take time."