The Pinnacle of Success

Using the original Victorian powder room as a template, Lori Carroll not only emulated its finer design details, but created a space with its own character.

To accomplish this, Carroll and co-designer Mary Roles of Tuscon, AZ-based Lori Carroll & Associates mixed tone and texture throughout the space, as well as developing contrast with the use of Luna Negra countertops to capture the imagination.

Complementing the look, the designers incorporated Luna Negra cabinets, as well as Kohler Co. fittings and fixtures and an Alchemy sink.

Carroll and Roles were also able to overcome a slew of design challenges to not only satisfy their clients, but also satisfy the Design Competition judges, earning the project first-place honors in the “Powder Rooms” category. “We were really challenged by this room, which was [initially] filled with uninspiring features,” she offers. “But, this refurbished powder room now escapes the ordinary.”

For instance, she cites the vanity as a crucial element to the design, offering: “The vanity is an original work of art, masterfully crafted with a smooth veneer, and embellished by metal inlays.”

She continues: “Ascending from the hand-stamped concrete tile floor, the walls make an impact with burnished glass squares and natural cork, mottled with aluminum.”

Other products featured throughout the powder room include a mirror from Luna Negra; Bega Lighting and walls and soffits from Nueva California Simone and Innovations. She concludes: “By placing recessed lighting in the walls adjacent to the mirror and pedestal, any reflection is flawlessly illuminated.”

Taking second-place honors in the “Powder Rooms” category was Mark S. Morris of Brisbane, CA-based Mark Morris Group who created a unique thematic powder room design based on a Japanese haiku.

Mary Lou Kalmus of La Grange, IL-based Designing Edge took third-place honors for a flowing, curvaceous design complete with an amoeba-shaped mirror and glass countertops. Rounding out the minimalist look of Kalmus’ layout are a Kohler Co. toilet, a Lacava sink and oak flooring.

Category 6 – Small Bathrooms – 1st Place
Designers Create ‘A Day at the Beach’ with Beachfront-Inspired Design

Facing a wave of design challenges, Erica S. Westeroth and Tim Scott knew their bath project would be no “day at the beach.” Or would it?

You see, Westeroth, CKD, and co-designer Scott of Toronto, Ontario, Canada-based XTC Design Inc. were not only faced with an undersized bath that lacked storage, but they also had the specific request of creating a space that offered a beachfront aesthetic.

Westeroth and Scott were up to the challenge, earning first-place honors in the “Small Bathrooms” category of this year’s NKBA Design Competition.

Westeroth explains: “The space from both closets was [needed] to design a functional bathroom.” However, she adds: “Even with the space from the old closets, the room was still [small].”

Therefore, the tub from Ultra had to be located along the length of the room, which left enough space to relocate the TOTO toilet.

Westeroth offers: “The walls were strapped and insulated, and the single glazed window was replaced with a thermal casement. The plumbing was relocated and upgraded, while all new electrical lines were added for task and ambient lighting.”

The space also features a Panasonic ventilation fan and receptacles; a custom glass enclosure; and Brazilian green slate countertops.

She also notes that natural maple wood, demi-high linen cabinetry from Le Groupe Luxorama offers additional storage for towels and toiletries, Earning second-place honors was Margie Little, CMKBD, of Pleasant Hill, CA, who used negative space masterfully in her design.

Third-place honors were taken home by Sheila K. Tilander, CKD, CBD of Redmond, WA-based Showplace Design & Remodeling, who designed a bathroom with a retro furniture frame and a glass shelf.

Category 7 – Large Bathrooms – 1st Place
Large Bath Accurately Emulates Soothing Resort Environment