WINNER: THE RATH PROJECT
Let’s be frank here: When has a water closet ever been a destination to covet? For this complete down-to-the-studs re-do of a primary bath, that particular room-within-a-room is akin to entering a jewel box, with its lacquered aubergine doors, walls lined with an iridescent wallcovering, and the whole of the diminutive space ablaze with soft light from a scalloped brass fixture. As for the rest of the room, what was once an underutilized space is now a destination in the home that feels glamorous while remaining decidedly functional. One wall now features a floating white-oak vanity, while on an opposite wall an inviting makeup station, equipped with its own lighting source and fluted surfacing, beckons. The shower and wainscoting sport blush-toned porcelain slabs, while the floor reveals an engaging rhythm of narrow marble slabs in shades of green, rose, ivory and burgundy. The freestanding tub—positioned to take in views of the property—appears to occupy its own niche, defined by a crystal chandelier and an elegant sweep of draperies.
FINALIST: DOUGLAS GRANETO DESIGN
It is possible to become obsessed about a material, and that is what happened with the client for this primary bathroom by Douglas Graneto Design. Once the client saw a grade of vigorously veined marble from PMI International Stone Importers, she wanted as much of it used in the room as possible—17 slabs, in fact, now clad the shower, floor, vanity countertops, as wainscoting and even as a window surround. The natural design of the stone is, indeed, alluring, even haunting in its beauty. During the gut renovation, an existing tub was removed in favor of creating a double shower that feels like a room in itself, as well as a dedicated makeup/vanity spot. To soften the effect of the hard marble, though, the designers brought warmth into the room by using a white oak for the vanity, which is accented to great effect with brass hardware from Waterworks. Where there isn’t marble, there are, instead, plaster walls, which add a further layer of texture to this striking room.
FINALIST: MIDEAST DESIGN CO.
It might be possible to claim that one could live in this primary bathroom. There are, certainly, all of the necessary bathing and grooming features of a bath, but also a spacious walk-in dressing closet that leads into the space, a built-in coffee and wine bar, and access to both the home’s main deck and a parents-only outdoor space. The design and color launching-off point for this gut renovation project began with an array of brightly hued mosaic tiles that work their way up the walls over the marble-topped walnut vanity. Those mosaic hues were sufficiently inspiring and alluring to help dictate all of the stone, wood, metal and lighting choices for the room. As a result, the wall-relief of mosaics stands out as a defining visual element. A sunken tub, clad in Fantastico Arni marble, relates directly to the marble-wrapped steam room and shower. Elsewhere, mitered marble details, a patterned limestone floor tile, walnut-framed mirrors, and brass fixtures foster a visual animation in the space. This room, while practical, works also as a daily sanctuary.