Bathrooms
Jonathan Legate Designs His Ensuite And Dressing Room With Haute Historical Style
Published on July 25, 2024

Jonathan Legate’s fussiest client to date? Himself, of course! The designer fashioned a whimsical wet room and adjoining closet and dressing room after purchasing this Cape Cod–style house in Chester, N.S. Heated terrazzo floors ensure it never feels cold, while miles of tile and marble trim make the space feel less like a bathroom — and more like a beautiful lounge. The ensuite is part of a whole-home renovation Jonathan is undertaking. “I fell in love with it,” says designer Jonathan Legate of the wallpaper that has the look of a landscape mural. “It was custom-printed for me in Italy from an 1830s wood-block etching and features an Amazonian river and a boat.” Keep scrolling to see Jonathan Legate’s bathroom and dressing room!
How long did the renovation take:
6 months
Size:
350 sq.ft. (including principal closet and dressing room)
Custom Elements:
- Wet-rated wallpaper
- Carrara marble wainscotting (with inset drains in the plate rails)
- Marble window and door casings
Style Goal:
A timeless yet cheeky vibe with references to the house’s 200-year-old heritage
Designer Advice:
- Create a space that feels like you, not like what’s trending at the moment
- If you don’t have room for a water closet, a wall-hung toilet stepped back six to 12 inches is a discreet option
- Choose pieces that look like they belong to the house’s era
- In an open wet room, consider the spray trajectory from the showers. Keep “wet activity” to one end to avoid hitting textiles, paper and sundry items
Keep scrolling for a look inside Jonathan Legate’s bathroom!

The carrara marble wainscotting, plate rails with integrated drains, and window and door casings are all custom cut.
Biggest Challenge:
The wonky floors that sloped up seven inches
What Jonathan Did:
- Carved out three zones to encompass a wet room, closet corridor and dressing room
- Lifted the original hemlock and pine floors in the closet and dressing room, removed the nails, hand-planed and relaid the boards, then re stained them
- Clad the wet room with a graceful interplay of Carrara marble panelling and scenic wallpaper
- Installed heated terrazzo floors
- Added a petite shaving sink in the corner
- Chose old-school satin brass plumbing fixtures and sinks with a nostalgic feel

An antique Georgian-period Chippendale mirror features glass from 1780, adding a historical touch.

“I fell in love with it,” says designer Jonathan Legate of the wallpaper that has the look of a landscape mural. “It was custom-printed for me in Italy from an 1830s wood-block etching and features an Amazonian river and a boat.”

Satin brass plumbing fixtures are integral for setting the historical mood.

Bright blue painted cabinets line the principal closet. The space is bold and playful with a ship-like vibe — fitting, considering the house was once owned by a sea captain.

The 1960s Mastercraft Greek Key lounge chair and 19th-century Thai table bring character to the dressing room.
Money Talk*:
This renovation cost approximately $70,443. Some key costs include:
- $14,448 for the wall coverings
- $12,000 for the marble
- $6,659 for the shower system
- $6,500 for the dressing room drapes
- $6,000 for the wood floor rebuild and restoration
- $5,962 for the tub
- $3,900 for the sinks
- $3,390 for the tub filler
- $2,500 for the lighting
- $2,500 for the terrazzo
- $2,213 for the faucets
- $2,000 for the in-floor heating
- $1,421 for the toilet
- $950 for the mirrors
*Approximate costs are from 2023–2024 and do not include tax
Janet Kimber