Bathrooms
Inside Olympian Adam Van Koeverden’s Favorite Room
Updated on February 4, 2019
The Olympic champion kayaker on “Candinavian” style, the smell of cedar and socializing in his Toronto bathroom.
“The bathroom was more than 100 square feet, but there was a horrible chlorinated whirlpool that took up a lot of space. My house is 133 years old, so a bathroom reno was necessary — it’s an important space for morning routine and rituals. I spend quite a lot of time here and it’s time dedicated to me,” says Adam.
“I wanted the bathroom to have a white, boathouse-style shiplap ceiling with exposed beams. The room changes throughout the day; the color goes from a bright white to yellow and quiet. The wood also comes to life at night, depending on the moonlight.”
“My house is cottagey so I think the bathroom fits in well. I didn’t want dainty lighting; it’s a big space that requires big lights. I used dimmable Edison bulbs that buzz a bit, but I like the sound… it reminds me to turn them off.”
“The vanity is Mozambique wood. We had only skinny pieces, so we cut three of them to size and made one sheet, a common practice that gives the impression that it was one big tree. The grain follows across the drawers and cabinet fronts.”
“I really like stone tile and painted tile so Sarah Keenleyside and Lindsay Konior at Qanuk Interiors made sure to feature some of each. I don’t like shower doors and I don’t care if the floors or tub surround gets wet — it’s a wet room.”
“I insisted on a water closet sink that was separate from the main toothbrushing sink — the area offers a bit of natural privacy. The floor is porcelain but it looks like slate and it’s heated, which is a bonus. The two-foot-square tiles are big but they work on the large expanse of floor.”
“I didn’t have any experience with design or an aesthetic feel, but I had a lot of ideas. Sarah and Lindsay were great at hearing what I wanted and putting it together. When I said I liked white subway tiles, it was their decision to fully tile some of the walls. Now the subway tiles and the bare walls create juxtaposition — and it looks better as a result.”
Angus Fergusson
House & Home April 2018