Fair Tile

Not many showers are completely covered in semi-transparent, hand-cut glass tile or feature a cathedral ceiling like the one in this Longport, N.J., master bath. Seamless glass doors let the iridescent tile work shine through. “These tiles are very unforgiving. The grout has to be delicate and clean,” says architect Joe Berkowitz. “Both application and finish have to be immaculate.” The 8-foot-by-6-foot enclosure surrounds bathers with body sprays and showerheads. A built-in bench, covered in the same octagonal, black porcelain tile as the shower floor, extends across the rear wall and 2 feet beyond to create both wet and dry sitting areas. A 5-foot recessed niche just above the bench houses soaps, shampoos, and decorative objects. Builder: Rabena Brothers/Malvern Development Group, Malvern, Pa.; Architect/Designer: Joseph A. Berkowitz Interiors, Penn Valley, Pa.; Tile specialist: Boris Olevsky, Huntingdon Valley, Pa. Resources: Glass tile: Oceanside Glasstile, Circle 492. Photographer: Halkin Photography.