The National Kitchen & Bath Association announced its winners of the 2008 NKBA Design Competition: Art
of the Industry. The winners were recognized at the NKBA Design Competition
Awards Luncheon, which was held live on the show floor of the Kitchen/Bath
Industry Show and Conference in Chicago.
Last month’s issue of Fort Bend Lifestyles & Homes featured the Kitchen winners (www.fortbendlifestylesandhomes.com).
The NKBA would like to thank the sponsors of the 2008 NKBA Design Competition:
Kitchen and Bath Ideas, Sub-Zero/Wolf, Dal-Tile, Rheem, Miele and 20-20
Technologies.
Open only to NKBA members, the NKBA Design Competition recognizes the talent of
kitchen and bath designers to plan safe, functional and personalized spaces
that incorporate imaginative design statements and aesthetically pleasing
solutions. In 2008, the NKBA received a record number of entries—nearly 580 projects.
A panel of 14 NKBA-certified designers judged each project based on visual
appeal and creativity, as well as principles of design, presentation and safety
and ergonomics, using the NKBA Kitchen and Bath Planning Guidelines.
Some of the winners of the 2008 NKBA Professional Design Competition are as
follows:
Best Overall Bathroom
A Golden Retreat by Siri Evju, CKD, CBD
SIRI DESIGNS
When the client decided to remodel their entire home, the bathroom got the
biggest makeover of all. By adding onto the space, the bathroom now boasts
visual appeal and several luxury amenities. The overall impression is a warm,
elegant look with organic elements that contrast the horizontal lines.
An open hallway leads to the master bedroom and bathroom. Directional wood
flooring and ceiling planks lead the way to each space, while a large Mica
ledgestone wall connects the two rooms. The wood floor in the bedroom/hallway
transitions into the bathroom’s quartzite stone floor. A wooden soffit was created around the room to lower
the vaulted ceiling. A half wall in Mica ledgestone helps separate the vanity
from the tub area. The quartzite boulder growing out of the floor and the
privacy wall creates a seat for drying off. New windows bring in natural light
and the vanity mirrors are trimmed to match. The large double vanity has
concrete counters with real leaf imprints in the concrete
backsplash. The large shower/steam room includes a rainshower and is wrapped in
sandstone planking, with a small window matching the tile shape. The most
unusual feature is a waterfall, which runs down the sandstone tiled wall into a
bed of pebbles.
MASTER BATHROOMS
1st Place Master Bathroom
The High Life by Holly Rickert
Ulrich, Inc.
A number of small rooms were combined to shape this former master bath. His and
her sinks, two closets, and a toilet room were located in the hallway. A
115-square-foot room at the end of this hallway contained only a 30-inch x
60-inch tub and a 30-inch x 48-inch stall shower.
The challenge was to create a relaxing spa-like feel that included his and her
lavatories and walk-in closets, as well as a makeup table, tub, large shower,
linen storage and, if possible, a separate water closet.
To maintain an open feel, unused attic space was accessed to create a tray
ceiling. The entire ceiling is covered with tongue-and-groove cedar. Porcelain
slate tile laid on the floor diagonally is used to define the vanity and makeup
mirrors. Warm sequenced matched cherry cabinetry surrounds the room. Cherry tub
panels, a make-up table and display niches continue the feel around the room.
A 3-foot shoulder-height window in the large shower gives off the feel of
showering in the tree tops. As you step out of the shower onto the heated
floor, you face the centrally located 6-foot bubbler tub that anchors the room
under the only originally located window.
2nd Place Master Bathroom
Fine Detail by Nicholas J Geragi, CKD, CBD
Klaff’s Inc
The clients had requested a total renovation of a woman’s bath retreat in their 1920s French Manor estate. The goal for the design team
was to ensure that the space reflected the grandeur and inspiration of the home’s French architecture, while addressing the needs of a modern woman with modern
amenities.
To meet these objectives, the space plan solution provided a new closet wall
that allowed a French antique replica soaking tub to be positioned directly in
front of the existing gas fireplace. A partition between a window and the new
vanity would assist in creating a well-lighted toilet and shower compartment.
The eight-foot vanity positioned across the back wall is balanced by the
soaking tub to the left and the fireplace and mantel to the right, providing an
intimate view of the fire.
3rd Place Master Bathroom
His & Hers by Scott & Sandra Gjesdahl
Bristol Design and Construction
With no option to expand the square footage of this couple’s cramped master bath and closet, it was a challenge to achieve a sense of his
and hers. In addition, the desire to keep things light and open was the key
element that drove the design.
To fit comfortably in the space, the vanities were placed side by side in the
middle of the room, facing opposite direc- tions. The plumbing is concealed in
the smallest pedestal possible, creating the illusion of more floor space. The
mirror and shelf system floats between the counter and the Sapeli wood soffit
above.
The closet cabinetry was designed to feel light and semi-translucent with the
use of Shoji door components, giving the impression that the room doesn’t stop where storage begins. All of the storage elements emulate furniture or
are hidden behind Shoji walls.
POWDER ROOMS
1st Place Powder Room
Caribbean Paradise by Lori W. Carroll
Lori Carroll & Associates
An impressive powder room has become a fundamental element in modern homes.
Creating a space that reflects a client’s personality and amazes guests requires broadening the imagination. Materials
and finishes play a significant role in designing the ideal space.
Rising from a floor of randomly cut French Vanilla slate, a magnificent vanity
spans the central wall. Expertly crafted from rich wood and burnished copper,
the piece speaks for itself. The subtly embossed hand basin complements the
rustic appeal of the space. Modest fixtures project directly from the wall,
providing a smooth cascade of water into the simple umber bowl.
A striking wall of 1-inch x 1-inch custom-blended syzygy tiles definitely adds
to the look. Using statuesque v-shaped sconces to splash light across the
iridescent squares and specialty finish on adjacent walls creates a mystifying
drama. A trio of overhead lights reflects down to produce the perfect
brightness for freshening up.
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