Winner: Karen Bow Interiors
For years, this powder room assumed an entirely different identity, as something seemingly out of an Italian villa, complete with Venetian plaster, but the homeowners wanted it to become something wholly different—and that is what Karen Bow Interiors accomplished. The sink has been strategically relocated to be the center of attention upon entering. So entrancing is the intricate veining and striations of reddish brown and white onyx—aglow from cleverly concealed lighting—that the room assumes the feel of a far larger space. Perfectly positioned pendants, each hanging by a chain, serve as further decorative, yet also useful, practical elements. A brass-framed mirror works to further visually extend the small space. The whole of the room was stripped down and remade into a place that reflects its intended function, while also becoming a dazzling space in which one might wish to linger a little while longer.
Finalist: Deane
Real estate plays an especially big role in a bathroom, given the limitation of space for a variety of necessary elements. Deane designer Ingrid Becker and the client collaborated well on the wholesale redesign of this primary bathroom. In its former incarnation, a his-and-hers vanity and a built-in bathtub monopolized too much of the room’s square footage.
Now, large-scale Dolomite marble tiles (12-by-24 inches) were used for the flooring and serve as an ideal backdrop for white marble countertops and an elegant, floating two-sink vanity with storage cabinets painted in Benjamin Moore’s Coventry Gray. Polished nickel hardware adds an extra polish and sheen to the space, which is infused, too, with abundant natural light from a skylight and floor-to-ceiling windows.
The airy brightness of the room is tempered by black metal framing around the mirrors, sconces and shower doors. A freestanding tub occupies a windowed corner, while the expansive shower is announced by handsome paned doors and a chevron stone mosaic floor. Wide-groove plank wood cladding the walls and ceiling add an extra visual punch.
Finalist: Roughan Interiors
Upon deciding to undertake a gut renovation of this New Canaan primary bathroom, Roughan Interiors and its longtime clients were in agreement on employing a monochromatic color scheme. Farrow & Ball’s Dimpse (named for the indigo pigments that were imported to England in the 18th century) was chosen for the trim and woodwork; it’s a shade noted for its hues of lilac and subtle blues, which complement the white marble floors, fixtures and lighting sources.
The new room now incorporates a jetted tub, a double steam shower, and even a hidden television positioned at the foot of the tub. The room’s window was widened to better embrace views of the property’s lake, a natural feature now especially visible from the built-in tub. The glass-walled shower, which melds seamlessly with the bathtub, features a spacious seating area. What was once a utilitarian room is now a luxurious, soothing, softly hued sanctuary.