National 2nd Place Award National Kitchen & Bath Association Student Design Competition 2014. 1st Place Award NKBA San Diego Student Design Competition. This bathroom design was created for the organization, Enchanted Makeovers, as a multifamily space serving the needs of three women and up to six children residing in this early 20th Century home for no more than a year. The clients specified that the existing lower level bathroom is to be converted into a powder room for guests and the adjacent bedroom space is to be converted to a larger bathroom for the residents of the home. The powder room is to have a sink and toilet and the new larger bathroom is to have two individual toilet stalls, one large enough for a wheelchair, two toilets, and storage for common use items such as linens. The spaces are to evoke a welcoming and calming feeling. Sound considerations are to be addressed as these baths neighbor the living room wall.
Light, an element of design, was used in the spaces to create two inviting and soothing bathrooms. The lighting design of the project emphasizes the pleasing elements and help deflect attention from the less attractive features, such as the toilets. Layers of light were used to add to the relaxed ambiance and are created with a combination of wall sconces, ceiling mounted, and recessed lights on dimmers. Unusual lighting fixtures offer focal lighting to the central pedestal sink area in the bathroom and petrified sink and vanity area in the powder room, emphasizing the enticing focal points of the rooms. Doors were moved for both bath spaces in order to frame these views that are backed by reflective glass mosaic tiles and lit with unique fixtures. In the bathroom space, a set of frosted glass doors frame the focal sink area and disguise the toilet stalls. Using full height doors with frosted glass allow for natural light to permeate into the main bathroom area, is more visually appealing than alternate ¾ height commercial style stalls, and add a bit of much needed privacy to the house.
Harmony, a principal of design, was created in these unique bathroom spaces by selecting traditional elements appropriate to the architecture of the house paired with a soothing array of colors and textures drawn from the natural world. Reflective glass mosaic tiles in blues and green offer a calming, soothing effect and bring in the colors of nature. There is an elegant simplicity to the classic lines of the pedestal sinks and wooden elements that work in harmony with the existing features of this historic home. The reclaimed French terra cotta tile flooring not only gives a soft natural feel to the spaces, but also provides a universal design compatible surface. It is also a slip resistant surface and safe for all. Finishes of oil rubbed bronze, natural wood, terra cotta and colors of warm gray and soothing blues and greens are carried about the spaces.
Construction changes necessary to achieve the two bath spaces include eliminating the existing closet in the bedroom, and relocating the two doors to the hallways and replacing them with pocket doors. A new wet wall was constructed in order to properly plumb the primary pedestal sink. New 36” x 84” frosted glass doors were installed to add privacy to the toilet areas. A partial 4 1/2” full height privacy wall was added to disguise the toilet area in the powder room.