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| Secret Cove: Old York’s 24th Annual Decorator Show House photo credit: George Barker |
As the Marketing Director for Designer Bath, I try to come up with engaging ways to highlight the fabulous products that we offer through our Beverly showroom. We have had a lot of fun in the past being a part of interior design shows (Wenham Museum’s North Shore Design Show in 2011 and 2012 and the Junior League of Boston Show House last fall), so this summer we headed north and spent five weeks in Kittery Point, Maine to take part in the 24th Annual Old York Decorator Show House. “Secret Cove” seemed like the ideal summer getaway to set up bath vignettes that could tell a more complete design story than a print ad or facebook post.
Trio Design: Katherine Hawkins, Yvonne Blacker, Rosanne Palazola
I joined forces with two of my designer friends, Katherine Hawkins and Rosanne Palazola, to form Trio Design so that we could tackle a number of spaces as a team. Katherine designed a glamorous teen girl’s bedroom with a mermaid theme (Syrena’s Room) and I designed the en suite bath to complement her space. Rosanne designed the “Poolside Portal” a mudroom made modern, stocked with all that one would need to enjoy the home’s stunning salt water pool, and I designed the adjacent “Petite Powder Room.” Collaborating with other designers on a show house project was both fun and inspiring! Below are photos from the two baths ...
{ Syrena’s Bath Before }
{ Syrena’s Bath After }
photo credit: Eric Roth
The challenge for this bath was to change out the existing formica counter and relatively small sink with a larger scale vessel that would still fit within the footprint of the original cabinet base, which happened to be sandwiched between a window and shower wall. Since Katherine has always been a fan of the Moon sink with accompanying glass counter from Vanico-Maronyx that is on display in our showroom, I placed a special order for a custom sized version for Syrena’s Bath.
The pearl shaped sink paired with a shapely faucet from the Brizo RSVP collection (adorned with Swarovski crystal finial) seemed very appropriate for a teen girl who loves the natural beauty of the ocean, along with all that sparkles! The Brizo RSVP collection was featured throughout the bath to complete the look, from mirror to robe hook to towel bar to tissue holder, even the tank lever was swapped out (it makes a huge difference!) Borrowed from our showroom, a three-sconce light fixture from Hudson Valley’s Basking Ridge collection illuminated the newly painted room (Farrow + Ball Manor House Gray on the walls, Borrowed Light on the ceiling, and Pitch Blue on the vanity and linen closet shelves). The look of the smooth glass counter top was extended with a glass tile backsplash (thank you Weaver Brothers of Lynnfield).
A delicate sea fan fabric flat fold roman shade at the window, plus a shimmery silver mermaid tail-like shower curtain trimmed in seaweed green (both via Acorn Interior Design Center) were additional custom touches that spoke to both the young girl and the growing teen of Syrena’s Room.
Brizo’s RSVP 18 inch towel bar with Swarovski crystal finials
Silver gray Zenith towels from The Turkish Towel Company
“Summer’s End” giclee on canvas by Tracy Finn
Brizo RSVP tank lever and toilet tissue holder
white Zenith face cloths from The Turkish Towel Company
bath accessories from Blue Peacock Home
floral arrangement by Laura Thomson Design
Designer Bath spa robe hangs on Brizo RSVP robe hook
– photo credit Rosanne Palazola –
linen closet accessorized with bath decor from Blue Peacock Home
Zenith towels and makeup wash cloths from The Turkish Towel Company
– photo credit Eric Roth –
{ Petite Powder Room Before }
The smallest room in the York Show House was the first floor powder room. The original space was functional if not fashionable. My plan was to transform this tall-thin room into a glamorous show-stopper. My muse was the Jason Wu for Brizo collection. After attending the Jason Wu Fall 2013 fashion show in New York last February, I was inspired to create a room that paid homage to his design aesthetic.
Once again, just the counter was replaced (this time with honed absolute black granite from Glenville Surfaces) and a small round sink (hammered copper in brushed nickel from Native Trails) was installed. The Jason Wu matte black SmartTouch technology faucet made a sleek designer statement. The temporary floor covering, a silver snakeskin leather, was my version of a runway-ready high heel, fabulous to look at, but more for show than practicality.
featured from the Jason Wu for Brizo collection:
faucet, soap dish, cabinet knobs, tank lever and trash barrel
Peshtemal towel from The Turkish Towel Company
paint: Dimity and Strong White from Farrow + Ball
wallpaper: Versailles from Farrow + Ball
accessories from Blue Peacock Home
The inspiration behind the room: Jason Wu Fall 2013 collection
Native Trails hammered recycled copper sink
in brushed nickel with tear-drop drain
bold black stripes paired with lace patterned fabric makes a strong
but feminine impression in the Jason Wu Fall 2013 collection
my signed print from Jason Wu and Brizo was
framed by Rosanne Palazola for the show
framed by Rosanne Palazola for the show
wall shelf and soap pump from the Jason Wu for Brizo collection
silver wrapped soap and owl jewel box via Blue Peacock Home
Integrity lighted mirror by Electric Mirror
– photo credit Eric Roth –
PROBLEM + SOLUTION: Without enough wall space to light a vanity mirror on either side with wall mount sconces (most flattering for the face) a self-lit mirror from Electric Mirror solved the final design challenge for the Petite Powder Room. Many visitors to the show inquired about this unique piece. We have a number of Electric Mirror products on display in our showroom. Stop by and see them!
I wasn’t the only one showcasing a Designer Bath makeover at the York Show House this summer. Pat Finn of Finn-Martens Design turned a blah Master Bath into a serene spa-like oasis.
Master Bath before with “just for show” red soaking tub (not plumbed!)
{ Master Bath After }
photo credit: Eric Roth
Towel warmer via Designer Bath
Native Trails Vessel Sink
{ Master Bath Vanity Before }
PROBLEM: the sink bowl was positioned on the wrong side of the vanity, under the corner of the window leaving no room for a mirror directly above.
Maestro Sonata vessel sink from Native Trails
SOLUTION: Pat also chose a Native Trails hammered copper sink in brushed nickel, this time a vessel version paired with a tall lav faucet from American Standard. She placed both on the right-hand side of the vanity allowing the mirror to be positioned above the sink instead of off to the side. A neutral – but warm and beautiful – stone counter from Cumar Marble and Granite combined with an amazing metallic leopard print wallpaper (Ocelot from Farrow + Ball) and architectural shutters from New England Shutter Mills made this large master bath finally stand out and get noticed.
With Pat Finn of Finn-Martens Design
To see my Trio Design partners colorful and creative York Show House spaces, visit our show house blog page.
For more info on Secret Cove: The 24th Annual York Decorator Show House, visit the Museums of Old York website.
And mark your calendar for the first two weeks in December when Designer Bath will be featured in the Danvers Historical Society Designers Holiday Show House at Glen Magna Farms in Danvers. We just couldn’t resist another show!
Excellent job, Yvonne!!
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