3 Award-Winning Bathrooms From 2013 KBIS to Judge for Yourself
See if you agree with the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show judges on these glam, nature-loving and girly bathroom designs
The bathroom has evolved from a neglected utilitarian space to a stylish retreat that merits a whole industry of design professionals. Each year the National Kitchen and Bath Association challenges designers to come up with eye-catching creative interpretations of today's bathroom. I had the privilege of meeting the award-winning designers at the ceremony held during the 2013 Kitchen and Bath Industry Show in New Orleans in April, where we talked about the inspiration for their entries. Here are a few of my favorites.
The vanity itself was custom made with a fuchsia metallic finish and Swarovski crystal drawer pulls that were repeated for the towel holders, toilet paper holder and closet drawer pulls.
Swarovski crystal pendant lights flank a white lacquer baroque-style mirror.
Faucet, fittings and sink: custom blown glass by Jim McKelvey; flooring: Thassos Marble; shower tile: Pantheon; glass mosaic: Mixed Up Mosaics; toilet: Kohler
Swarovski crystal pendant lights flank a white lacquer baroque-style mirror.
Faucet, fittings and sink: custom blown glass by Jim McKelvey; flooring: Thassos Marble; shower tile: Pantheon; glass mosaic: Mixed Up Mosaics; toilet: Kohler
Inside the closet Pumarejo backlit the pink acrylic open shelves with LED strips to highlight her client’s shoes and handbags.
Lighting: AXO Lighting
Lighting: AXO Lighting
Pumarejo’s bathroom design captures all the whimsy, style and youthful sophistication of her client. “I really got to have fun with materials on this project," the designer says.
"So often we have homeowners who want to keep the design safe, as to not offend any potential buyers for resale," she adds. "This homeowner really wanted the space to be personalized just for her.”
"So often we have homeowners who want to keep the design safe, as to not offend any potential buyers for resale," she adds. "This homeowner really wanted the space to be personalized just for her.”
First Place: Powder Room
This space marked the second win in the competition for designer Elina Katsioula-Beall, who also won first place in the Small Kitchens category.
Her Out of Africa–inspired powder room infuses natural elements like wood-lined walls, a leather-like vanity and a chiseled limestone counter to appear as if it was crafted out of materials native to the region.
Cabinets, vanity: Serrao; countertops: Vicenza limestone; faucets, fittings: Watermark
This space marked the second win in the competition for designer Elina Katsioula-Beall, who also won first place in the Small Kitchens category.
Her Out of Africa–inspired powder room infuses natural elements like wood-lined walls, a leather-like vanity and a chiseled limestone counter to appear as if it was crafted out of materials native to the region.
Cabinets, vanity: Serrao; countertops: Vicenza limestone; faucets, fittings: Watermark
Niches showcasing African art and artifacts give the space a museum-like quality.
First Place: Small Baths plus the People's Pick Bath Award
Leslie Lamarre designed this double-award-winning space for a little girl to grow into but never outgrow. The pink walls and white cabinets and stone keep the space just feminine enough without overdoing it.
Faucets, fittings: Newport Brass; lighting: Restoration Hardware; sink: Toto
Leslie Lamarre designed this double-award-winning space for a little girl to grow into but never outgrow. The pink walls and white cabinets and stone keep the space just feminine enough without overdoing it.
Faucets, fittings: Newport Brass; lighting: Restoration Hardware; sink: Toto
The stone mosaic pattern on the shower wall repeats on the base of the bench. This built-in nook works well for the client to try on clothes or one day do her nails in, giving the space added functionality.
Stone mosaic circular medallions dress up the tub walls and complement the Carrara marble vanity counter.
Bathtub: Americh; shower enclosure: custom, Burlingame Glass; flooring: Richards and Sterling; toilet: Toto
Bathtub: Americh; shower enclosure: custom, Burlingame Glass; flooring: Richards and Sterling; toilet: Toto
Designed to emulate a posh boutique, this bathroom took not only took the top award, Best Bathroom, but also first place in the Large Bathrooms category.
Interior designer Shea Pumarejo of Younique Designs in Helotes, Texas, calls her winning bathroom “The Forward Fashionista.” She drew inspiration from her stylish teenage client's shoe and handbag collection to create a space that feels as if you've stepped into a Beverly Hills boutique.
A hand-cut stained glass wall with a hand-drawn pattern of ribbons in red, silver and white complements a fiery red serpentine hand-blown sink and faucet by artist Jim McKelvey. “I love the way the light plays off the different textures of glass to give it a 3-D effect,” Pumarejo says.
Cabinetry: custom by Michael Edwards; vanity: CR Currin; countertops: custom Thassos marble from Stone Masters of Texas