Modern Calm: Seattle Bath Inspired by Japanese Ritual

In Seattle’s historic Wallingford neighborhood, where early 20th-century charm meets modern sensibility, Lakeville Homes by SoBella recently completed a small but striking transformation. The home itself was built in 1908, and this latest renovation shows how thoughtful craftsmanship and refined design can bring lasting value to a space with deep roots.

Japanese Soaking Tub Inspiration for Relaxation

The Japanese have long embraced hot, deep soaking baths as a beloved cultural tradition, an experience rooted in both relaxation and mindfulness. Over time, the practice inspired the creation of the deep wooden ofuro tub, designed to bring the soothing sensation of natural hot springs into the home. A Japanese bath is a tranquil sanctuary, typically with a soaking tub adjacent to an open showering area that allows water to flow freely across an all-encompassing draining floor. Bathers begin with a thorough rinse outside the tub before slipping into crystal-clear, steaming water for a quiet, restorative soak. These clients wanted to bring this sense of calm and ritual to their own home.

Bringing Clients’ Vision to Life

Both busy professionals with high school–aged kids, they had big ideas but little time to see them through. They arrived at Lakeville by way of a neighbor’s referral, another family happy with their 2024 Lakeville remodel. With hand-sketched plans in tow and a clear vision for a space that balanced tradition and tranquility, they trusted Lakeville’s team to bring their ideas into focus and execute with precision.

At the heart of the remodel lies an exquisite hinoki wood Japanese soaker tub crafted by Bartok Design Japan Co. from rare Asnaro Hiba sourced in Aomori Prefecture. This piece became the centerpiece around which the rest of the design unfolded. To complement its beauty, Lakeville created a new open wet area with a fixed glass shower panel, quartz shower curb, and linear drain. Streamlined, functional, and calm.

The material palette whispers rather than shouts. The shower walls feature Ann Sacks Laurelhurst 12x24 field tile in natural grey, paired with Savoy Mosaics in Cottonwood underfoot. A quartz niche in Stratus Prime Acropolis lends a tailored finish, while Sherwin-Williams Silverpointe on the walls envelops the space in soft light. Overhead, a SolaTube floods the room with daylight.

Timely Results

Completed on time and on budget, this remodel is a study in quiet sophistication. Lakeville turned a modest bathroom renovation into a modern ritual of restoration, proof that even the smallest spaces can become sanctuaries when handled with care and craft.