Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Junior League Showhouse 2012

photo courtesy: Junior League of Boston


The Junior League of Boston Show House returns this fall after a six year hiatus, working its makeover magic on the historic Potter Estate located in Newton, Massachusetts. The show will open its doors to the public on October 16th and run through November 18th. There will be over 36 decorated spaces to enjoy in this 1860’s Victorian mansion and the list of participating designers is quite impressive.

We are honored to be a part of this highly anticipated event, with fixtures from our Beverly showroom being featured in “The Guest Bath” designed by Janet Marena of JTM Interiors.

We asked Janet to share thoughts on her work in progress ...



Janet Marena of JTM Interiors 


It can be a little overwhelming to walk through an old, empty house, looking at each of the spaces trying to decide which one you want to design and decorate. This is especially true when other designers are in the room you’re standing in – with their notebooks and measuring tapes – trying to decide if they want to decorate the same room!


“Before” photo credit: Janet Marena

While touring the three floors of the empty soon-to-be Show House I was drawn to a few spaces and the Guest Bath was one of them. The room, with its stained-glass windows and beautiful tile work, made me smile as I walked through it. So I pulled out my camera and my measuring tape ...

The first visual to ‘pop’ into my head when I was in the room was of a tropical plant.



Rendering of The Guest Bath designed by JTM Interiors by Erin E. Evans



“Before” photo credit: Janet Marena



The good news is the beautiful antique tile work and stained glass windows are beautiful, however, the tiles are in need of cleaning and in no way can they be removed. They were installed about 100 years ago using cement to grout them. They will be restored by the professional tile and stone refinishers at Boston Stone Restoration.


The first step was for me to find my bathroom ‘furniture’ so I called Jason Sevinor and asked him if Designer Bath wanted to help me furnish the room. I sent Jason my before photos of the space and then we scheduled a telephone conversation for one week later. In the meantime, I worked to find ‘complements’ to the room’s primary features. Again, a visual popped into my head after ruminating for a while. The visual was of clean, sleek bathroom fixtures. I did not want to go the ‘skirt the sink’ route with vintage fixtures. Why do that when there are so many more elegant choices?

During our phone conversation, I explained to Jason my vision. We set up a time to meet in the showroom. I walked in with a Duravit advertisement pulled out of a magazine and Jason showed me the same wall-hung cabinet in his showroom. Yeah, we were both on the same page! We then went on to choose some sexy and sophisticated Hansa faucet and bathtub fillers. And, no, the bathtub filler does not have a gooseneck as one would expect!

Next I needed to invite a plumber to review the room with me and determine the options for removing and replacing the sink and toilet. The bathtub will remain, and Porcelain Patch and Glaze Co. will resurface it for me. I worked with Tom McGovern of Holmes Plumbing, and along with being extremely knowledgeable, he was sooo easy to work with. After a few meetings with Jason present, we determined that the Duravit wall-hung cabinet we fell in love with could actually be installed! It worked out well since the water lines were in the floor, so logistically, a floor vanity would not have worked in this space.

Stay tuned for more Show House updates from Janet.
For ticket information, click here.



Friday, September 14, 2012

An award-winning master bath ...

Master bath designed by Ian Mentasti of Stephen Terhune Woodworking
photographed by Michael J. Lee, featured in Design New England Magazine


Have you seen the September/October issue of Design New England Magazine? Our ad features the winning space of our first annual Designers Shine with Designer Bath contest.

After seeing the space in person, we really loved this view of the extra large walk-in shower alongside a marble deck-mounted Bain Ultra Origami therapeutic bath, each outfitted with traditionally designed Rohl fixtures in polished nickel. It is a great example of a bath design project that includes many elements successfully coordinated with the expert help of our Designer Bath showroom.

About the project from designer, Ian Z. Mentasti, of Stephen Terhune Woodworking:
Set on a hilltop on the North Shore of Massachusetts, this renovation of an early 19th century house included a new addition with a three car garage, new kitchen and family room, as well as an entire master suite. The project involved a complete gut and redesign of existing and new spaces to accommodate an active family. The main goal of this specific part of the project was to create a master bath that captured the client’s sense of tranquility while providing them with a highly functional space. Having Designer Bath and Salem Plumbing Supply as a resource really allowed us to explore a number of options, and ultimately we were able to combine a variety of materials with the perfect fixtures to finish the space.

This project was submitted to our Shine contest by Anne Alberts of Carpenter and MacNeille. She explains, Stephen Terhune Woodworking is a sister company of Carpenter and MacNeille. It is a custom cabinetry and millworking company that was established alongside Carpenter and MacNeilles architecture, interior design and construction services.


Below are the two photos submitted to our judges:


photo by Cheryle St. Onge 

A custom built creamy white double vanity is enhanced with inset mirrors, delicate sconces, and plenty of storage. American Standard undermount sinks with widespread Rohl faucets in polished nickel are paired with sleek marble countertops. The walls, painted a warm palladian blue, add to the spa-like feeling of this elegant master bath.



photo by Cheryle St. Onge 

A favorite design detail: A built-in ledge beneath a band of glass accent tile easily accommodates an array of bath products in the generously sized shower.





photo: Michael J. Lee  // carpet: Landry and Arcari

Congratulations to the design/build professionals
who were a part of this winning project:

Designer: Ian Mentasti, Stephen Terhune Woodworking
Designer Bath Sales Consultant: Sharon Hunt
Contractor: Carl Anderson Construction



If you have a bath or kitchen design project that should be in a magazine, plan to submit it in next years Designers Shine with Designer Bath contest!









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