Bathroom remodeling is a critical component of residential renovation, particularly in New York City where space, infrastructure, and building constraints shape every design decision. A well-designed bathroom is developed in response to the client, the architecture, and the way the space will be used, with layout, materials, and fixtures considered as part of a unified design strategy.
Luxury bathroom design is inherently bespoke. Each project is tailored to the individual, with careful attention to proportion, material selection, and detailing. Execution is equally important, requiring a high level of craftsmanship and precision to achieve a refined and enduring result.
I am Jorge Fontan, an architect based in New York City and the owner of Fontan Architecture. Our office works on high-end residential renovations, with a focus on thoughtful design and rigorous construction oversight. In this post, I will present a selection of our bathroom renovation projects and highlight key architectural and design considerations. For a broader overview of the renovation process in NYC, see our related article NYC Apartment Renovations: An Architect’s Guide.
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Travertine Bathroom
Material selection plays a defining role in bathroom design, shaping both the visual character and the tactile experience of the space. Natural stone offers depth, variation, and subtle irregularities that give it a richness not found in synthetic materials.
Travertine, in particular, lends itself well to bathroom applications due to its soft tonal variation and distinctive texture. In this project, we had the stone fabricated in large-format slabs to create a continuous surface with minimal joints. The slabs were carefully cut and installed to align the natural veining, reinforcing a sense of continuity throughout the space.
Luxury Travertine Slab Bathroom (Manhattan)
The design is defined by a restrained material palette and precise detailing. All primary surfaces are executed in the same stone, including a custom floating sink and an integrated shelf below. This level of material consistency requires careful coordination in both design and fabrication, resulting in a bathroom that reads as cohesive, intentional, and highly resolved.
Stone Slab Bathroom Custom Design
Unique Green Powder Room
Powder rooms offer an opportunity for a more expressive approach within the home. As smaller, self-contained spaces, they can support a stronger material identity and a more distinct atmosphere than primary bathrooms.
In this project, the design was developed around a darker, more immersive palette while maintaining a sense of warmth and refinement. The material composition is intentionally restrained, centered on green marble and matching green limewash walls.
The custom sink and floor are fabricated from the same green marble, selected for its depth and tonal richness. The continuity of the stone establishes a strong visual foundation, while the walls introduce a subtle texture and softness. The interplay between these materials creates a space that feels cohesive, atmospheric, and quietly sophisticated.
Green Powder Room Design
Dark Tonal Bathroom
This bathroom is composed as a dark tonal environment, where subtle variation in material and finish defines the space. Bronze panels are paired with a deep stone palette, creating a layered composition that emphasizes weight, continuity, and restraint.
The sink is fabricated from stone slabs as a fully integrated element, reinforcing the material consistency throughout the design. It is conceived as part of the architecture rather than a standalone fixture, contributing to the overall sense of cohesion.
The tonal relationship between bronze and stone introduces both warmth and depth. The metal panels provide a soft reflectivity, while the stone establishes mass and texture. Together, these materials create a bathroom that feels grounded, composed, and quietly refined.
Modern Dark Bathroom
Marble Slab Bathroom
This renovation involved combining two adjacent bathrooms to create a single, more expansive and highly resolved space. The increased footprint allowed for a more deliberate layout and a stronger material expression.
The defining feature of the design is the use of full-height marble slabs across all walls. The slabs extend continuously with minimal joints, eliminating grout lines and reinforcing a sense of visual continuity. This approach enhances the natural veining of the stone, allowing it to read as a continuous surface rather than a fragmented assembly.
The result is a bathroom that balances classic materiality with a more restrained, contemporary execution. The freestanding tub is positioned as a focal element within the space, introducing a sculptural quality that complements the surrounding stone surfaces.
Marble Bathroom Remodel (UES)
Shower niches are an important detail in bathroom design, requiring careful integration with the surrounding materials. When executed within marble slab walls, they can read as a natural extension of the surface rather than an applied element.
In this project, the niches are fabricated from the same marble slabs as the walls, maintaining complete material continuity. The stone is mitered at the corners, with precise forty-five-degree joints that conceal the thickness of the material. This level of detailing allows the niches to appear seamless, reinforcing the overall clarity and refinement of the space.
Seamless Marble Shower Niche
NYC Bathroom Renovations
Bathroom renovations in New York City require a careful balance of design intent, technical coordination, and precise execution. Constraints related to space, building systems, and regulations shape each project, requiring a thoughtful and disciplined approach to both design and construction.
As these examples illustrate, the quality of a bathroom is defined through material selection, proportion, and detailing. Whether working with continuous stone surfaces, integrated elements, or tonal material palettes, the objective is to create spaces that feel cohesive, deliberate, and enduring.
A successful bathroom renovation is the result of alignment between design vision and execution. When carefully considered and well built, these spaces become an integral part of the architecture of the home.
At Fontan Architecture, we work on luxury residences in New York City, focusing on thoughtful design and rigorous construction oversight. If you are planning a high-end full renovation, our office can guide the process from initial concept through completion.
Request a Consultation with Fontan Architecture - 212 321 0194
Jorge Fontan, AIA, is an architect and founder of Fontan Architecture based in New York City. The firm focuses on residential design, including new homes and extensive renovations for discerning clients. Through collaborative dialogue that draws on the individuality of each client, projects develop as distinct architectural responses guided by thoughtful planning, precise detailing, and a commitment to creating enduring value.
