Modern Glam for a Vintage Bath

Janet Marena’s Guest Bath at the Junior League of Boston Show House 2012

photo credit: Michael J. Lee

“When Janet Marena asked me to be a part of the design of her bathroom at the Junior League of Boston Show House, I was thrilled about the opportunity. It was a chance to take a bathroom space that had at one time been cutting edge and bring it back to life. The challenge was to keep many of the existing structural pieces in place along with the feel of the home. I feel like our choices and Janet’s design talents have returned the bathroom to all its glory.”

Jason Sevinor
Vice President
Designer Bath and Salem Plumbing Supply

{bath before: Janet Marena photos}

Tiles being refinished by Boston Stone Restoration

What was once a worn, dusty and dated room has since been transformed into a sparkling gem of a guest bath for the Junior League of Boston Show House at the Potter Estate in Newton, MA. In a recent guest post, designer Janet Marena of JTM Interiors shared her vision with us. She was inspired by the beauty of both the original stained glass window and the antique tile, prompting her to plan her space to allow the past and present to co-exist in visual harmony.      

Designer Janet Marena in The Guest Bath

“Overall the Show House has been exhilarating. When I stand in the Guest Bath I feel serene and happy to have met my goal of honoring the history of the room while adding modern and fresh elements.”

Janet Marena, JTM Interiors

{bath before: Janet Marena photo}

{bath after: Yvonne Blacker photo}

AFTER: An eye-catching Chihuly inspired light fixture dazzles over the newly refinished soaking tub that appears to melt into the same colored floor tile. Neutral colored grasscloth walls are a warm complement to the curved ceiling that swirls with the same emerald greens as the floor. By adding clear acrylic legs to the wall-mount Duravit vanity, Janet has taken this functionally modern piece to a bespoke level.

{bath after: Yvonne Blacker photo}

A sleek Hansa tub filler in polished chrome is wall mounted onto a custom built towel and storage cubby that also acts as a base for a large potted fern. The original tub was reglazed by Porcelain Patch and Glaze. Vintage inspired bath caddy from Designer Bath.

{bath after: Yvonne Blacker photo}

An elegant oyster-colored embroidered linen panel dresses the shower area that is tucked beside a one-piece skirted Toto Soiree toilet that has earned the WaterSense mark of approval – an appropriate choice for this “green” bath. 

Just outside The Guest Bath is Frank’s Study by designer Frank Hodge

{Yvonne Blacker photo}

There is still time to view the 35 beautifully decorated spaces in the historic Potter Estate. The show runs through November 18th and tickets are available at the door. All proceeds from the show will support the mission of the Junior League of Boston. 

{Yvonne Blacker photo}

{Ticket info here}

Getting to know Zucchetti

In late September, we hosted a fun and informative presentation in our showroom with the Italian luxury brand Zucchetti, to introduce their lastest design styles, Jingle and Savoy, to the design community.

View the entire JINGLE collection on the Zucchetti website

photo courtesy: Zucchetti 

About JINGLE:

“Harmonious proportions and an utterly contemporary look make JINGLE a sober and elegant product for a sophisticated public that appreciates quality and practicality yet is in touch with the latest design trends and recognizes beauty at a glance.”

– Ludovica + Roberto Palomba, designers of Jingle for Zucchetti

The Savoy collection from Zucchetti

About Savoy:

“Classic versus contemporary is the spirit of this new collection, devised primarily for the world of contract, hotels and refined design-rich architecture. Savoy is an extremely versatile product that adapts perfectly to the style of a traditional hotel, in a modern-day elegant equilibrium. Strong point of the collection is the exclusive customisation it offers: colours, finishes and logos can be combined for a wide range of variants. Its finishes and decorative solutions for handles and covers give very different aesthetic results: design-oriented and minimal in matt black and white; classic but original, in chrome teamed with top surfaces in burgundy, ocean blue or bottle green, refined and elegant, in total chrome or platinum. Unique and bespoke.” – Zucchetti website

The Morphing collection from Zucchetti on display at Designer Bath

We have had Zucchetti fixtures on display in our Beverly showroom since early this year. In our entryway, the black and white Zucchetti Morphing freestanding tub stands out as a modern interpretation of the classic clawfoot tub. The exterior of this version can also be specified in red or white, and the interior has a unique matte finish. 

The mirror in the Morphing collection has a uniquely modern design.

Seminar guests took time to explore our showroom. A number of Zucchetti reps were available to answer questions about the brand. Designers who had experience specifying Zucchetti for client projects commented on how smoothly the installation process went and how beautiful the end results were.

Zucchetti reps Jon Cunningham and Patrick Shea

Representing Zucchetti: Chris Penna, Franco Platini (our guest

speaker from Italy), and Jon Cunningham

Export Manager Franco Platini shared the history and timeline of the Zucchetti brand. They have been manufacturing technically outstanding products reknown for their poetic influences since 1998. Franco attributes Zucchetti’s success in America with the company’s commitment to delivering the luxury of a European product that is able to meet the high expectations of the American consumer who appreciates the value of fine design.

 Zucchetti Kos Geo 180 freestanding bathtub 

Zucchetti offers an outdoor collection that provides elegant and comfortable well-being options to grace a home’s exterior.

Below are a handful of photos from the event.

To see more, visit our facebook page.

Janet Marena of JTM Interiors, Laura Winn of Constructed Designs,

and Kathy Marshall of K. Marshall Design discuss current projects.

Visit Janet’s Guest Bath at the Junior League of Boston Show House 2012

Guests enjoyed Prosecco cocktails, antipasto, plus

a hearty mashed potato bar by Vinwood Caterers

Designer Andie Day with Todd and Sydney Vendituoli

Desserts by Cakes for Occasions

Designer Bath consultant Beezee Honan with
Shendel Bakal of Monaco Johnson Group

Autumn arrangements created by Laura Thomson Design

Mindy Sevinor-Feinberg with Junior League of Boston

Show House 2012 designer Janet Marena and Jason Sevinor

image courtesy: Zucchetti

If you are considering including Zucchetti in your next design project, contact us to set up an appointment. Our showroom consultants would be happy to help get you started.

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.

Duravit X-Large Vanity

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.