The Pinnacle of Success

Asked to create a spa-like master suite, Lori Carroll used pure luxury. And, as a result, Carroll and co-designer Mary Roles of Tuscon, AZ-based Lori Carroll & Associates earned first-place honors in the “Large Bathrooms” category, as well as “Best Bathroom” honors for this year’s NKBA Design Competition.

Specifically, Carroll and Roles fused together the warmth of natural materials with the sleekness of stainless steel to create a complex and eclectic master bath. Tile was used in varying colors, sizes and shapes to vitalize the shower as well, she points out.

“Since the day begins and ends in the bathroom, creating an intimate space that invigorates, rejuvenates and [allows the user to] unwind became fundamental in this space,” Carroll explains.

Carroll notes that natural wheaten stone from Conway Tile and custom maple cabinetry from Monarch Cabinetry (stained in a butternut hue) create a soothing influence throughout the space.

“Stainless compartments are aesthetic and practical as they heighten the richness of the surrounding stone,” she describes.

To continue the contemporary look, Carroll and Roles also incorporated a Kohler Co. tub, toilet and fixtures and fittings.

Carroll adds that the vanity serves a focal point of the space.

“The vanity is a masterpiece, with an innovative trough sink shaped from limestone flowing gracefully beneath the partition of skillfully crafted glass, mirror and stainless steel,” she offers.

She adds that a contoured dresser at the end of the vanity added depth to the design as well.

Completing this master bath is Fractured Earth flooring.

“This area emerged as a retreat, reminiscent of a luxury resort,” she concludes.

Taking second-place honors in this category was Erica S. Westeroth, CKD, and co-designer Tim Scott of Toronto, Ontario, Canada-based XTC Design Inc., who submitted a master bath design that taps into the client’s love of exotic sports cars, including the use of playful, circular elements.

Third-place honors went to Holly Rickert of Ridgewood, NJ-based Ulrich, Inc., who mixed natural materials, such as a carved glass panel depicting the Japanese wood cut of Mt. Fiji with a natural view to create a striking palette.

Category 8 – Master Suite/Bathrooms – 1st Place
Master Bath Captures Golden Age of Glamour

When Bonnie Crawford needed to create a master bath that would make her clients to feel like movie stars, she took it to heart. She explains: “The design concept [for this master bath] was developed from sophisticated segues between contemporary styling and Hollywood modern.”

Indeed, Crawford was able to capture the “golden age of glamour” so well, that it earned her first-place honors in the “Master Suite/Bathrooms” category of this year’s Design Competition.

But, first she had to overcome some unique space constraints.

“The single sink was replaced with a double sink, seating was provided for the shower and dressing space and additional storage was developed,” she describes.

She continues: “A small amount of space was borrowed from the adjacent guestroom closet to augment the new master closet. The existing closet space was traded for toilet and shower areas, with the closet divided into a walk-in shower and separate toilet.”

Complementing the look are custom cabinets from BCDG, accented by fixtures and fittings from Neiman Glass, Normandy, Opus and Sunrise Specialty.

A single door was designed to pivot 180 degrees, allowing one-touch movement from either direction of all rooms, she adds.

“The door was spring loaded to stand open at the center for clear passage and to be positioned at any angle without stops,” she says.

She also notes that an additional skylight introduced natural light into the walk-in shower and water closet compartments.

Earning second-place honors was Mark S. Morris of Brisbane, CA-based Mark Morris Group, who created a bath based on the architectural detailing and cabinetry of the Hotel de Salm. The design captures the look of a formal suite, while incorporating marble countertops, a tub, toilet and sink from Kohler Co., and Christopher Norman lighting.

Third place went to Erica S. Westeroth, CKD, and co-designer Scott of Toronto, Ontario, Canada-based XTC Design Inc., who created a budget-conscious design with a variety of products, including Le Groupe Luxorama cabinets and a sink and toilet from American Standard.