The Art of Relaxation

Frank and Judy Coyle wanted a soothing Japanese bath in their new home. Decorator Terry Terry created a 600-square-foot oasis of serenity complete with a walk-in shower, stainless steel soaking tub for two, and his and her vanities, closets, and lavatories. Dark-stained vanities and display shelves and oiled Vermont soapstone on the countertops and tub surround contrast with grey-green walls and slate tiles to create a feeling of calm and peace. Minimal accessories and ample storage for items used every day gives the bath a clean look. Terry also used principles of Feng Shui to impart balance and harmony.

The
ART of RELAXATION
PRODUCED by DIANE CARROLL  Written by JENNIFER DAVIS DODD  Photography by DANNY PIASSICK

Frank and Judy Coyle know that while relaxation is an art, planning the perfect space for that pursuit is a science. When they decided to build their new Lake Forest home, including the ultimate spa bath, they called—again—on decorator Terry Terry.

“I’ve worked with Frank and Judy several times over the years,” Terry says. “We know how to work well together. And I’ve seen their tastes change over time. Frank and Judy travel extensively and have made many trips to Japan. They’ve grown to appreciate the idea of ‘less is more.’ That aesthetic governed the design of this new house, especially their master bath.”

Though they could agree that the room should have simple lines, clean design, and a serene atmosphere, husband and wife had differing ideas of what would constitute the perfect spa experience. Frank wanted an authentic Japanese soaking tub. Judy wanted a walk-in shower. Terry found a way to please them both.

“An authentic soaking tub would have been made of wood and very, very high maintenance,” Terry says. “Rather than wood, I designed a stainless steel tub for two. And I gave Judy a huge walk-in shower with multiple heads.”

Terry’s tub, like all other aspects of the master bath suite, is based on careful measurements of the Coyles themselves. Frank is well over 6 feet tall, and Judy, well, she’s not. Terry compensated for their height differences and personal preferences by specifying different slopes for each end of the tub. Frank’s end has more of a slope, allowing him to stretch out and enjoy a long soak, while Judy prefers to sit up a little straighter.

Terry’s design specified everything from cabinet height to placement of the wall shelves and final accessories. “We drew elevations of each wall,” she says, “right down to the last detail. I have a binder dedicated to the design of this bath.” She also considered user comfort: “I measured the distance Judy and Frank would have to reach, when sitting on the edge of the tub, to turn on the bath water and used those dimensions to specify the placement of the taps.”

But Terry admits that the most remarkable aspect of this bath wasn’t planned; it was a happy accident. “When the iris lights shine on the shelves on the back wall,” she says, “the light hits in just such a way that it creates a shadow kimono above the tub. It was just the perfect finishing touch. And we couldn’t have planned that if we tried.”