Bath Bliss

If there's one thing we've learned from our judges' picks this year, it's that light is in! Whether it's in the form of a pale, monochromatic palette, a cornucopia of windows or a light hand in decorating—and in most cases, it's all three—these winning baths exude open, airy sophistication. From white marble countertops and Venetian plaster walls to milky white fixtures and glass-enclosed showers that leave light free to dance around the room, these baths are a breath of fresh air.

Expertly designed mirrors reflect light where it's needed most, or make room for it to shine through unobstructed. Windows are everywhere, welcoming all the morning rays needed to make grooming a breeze. Some are given prime positions over showers and tubs, while clever design tricks allow them to still offer the privacy that every bathroom needs. Two, in particular, are even engineered to let fresh air in while keeping rain at bay.

We were delighted to see firsthand these emerging trends in bath design and the marvelous materials used to create them—which, as our 19th annual winners have shown, can be executed on almost any budget. Perhaps by no coincidence, baths in a range of price points are represented. From marvelous renovations to a spec bath born of imagination, we think you, too, will find these private sanctuaries both beautiful and inspiring.

About Our Judges ROBERT NORRIS Architect Robert Norris is a founding partner of Spitzmiller & Norris Inc., which was established in 1985 as a design firm specializing in custom personal residences. The firm is experienced in new construction, remodeling and the restoration of historic homes, and has clients from coast to coast. Norris' home has been featured in Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles, Southern Accents, Garden Design, and HGTV's Homes Across America, among others. Norris is a member of the American Institute of Architects, the Atlanta Preservation Center, the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. LIZ WILLIAMS Liz Williams is an Atlanta native and a graduate of the College of Charleston. She received her BFA in Interior Design from Georgia State University before founding Liz Williams Interiors in 1998. Concentrating in residential design, she specializes in inte­riors with a balance of traditional and contemporary elements. Williams has participated in four Atlanta Symphony Associates Decorators' Showhouses, as well as the 2003 Alliance Children's Theatre Christmas House. Her work can be seen in Atlanta; Lake Oconee; St. Simons Island; Charleston, South Carolina; Amelia Island and Watersound, Florida, as well as in various publications, including Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles. RAYSA ROSENZWEIG, CKD Raysa C. Rosenzweig obtained her BFA in Interior Design in her native country of the Dominican Republic, where she was co-owner of an architecture and design firm, specializing mostly in beach resort projects. Once in the U.S., she transitioned into residential design and became known for her innovative designs, attention to detail and outstanding customer service. She has participated in several local design showcases including Street of Dreams and the Borghese Penthouse. Rosenzweig now concentrates her work in kitchens and baths. She is an active member of the National Kitchen & Bath Association. BARBARA SHELTON, CKD Barbara Shelton has been designing kitchens and baths for the last seven years. After graduating from Florida State University with a degree in Interior Design, she worked with an architectural firm and discovered her love of construction. With a focus on kitchen and bath design, her design and construction backgrounds come together for the benefit of her clients. Shelton works closely with her clients on every aspect of the project from conceptual idea, design and selections, to the last phase of installation. Shelton is an Associate Kitchen & Bath Designer and an Allied Member of ASID as well as the present Treasurer of the Georgia Chapter of NKBA.

 Read comments from this year's judges.

For a before & after slideshow of this renovation, click here.

Pulling it All Together •    The McConaugheys chose to forgo molding, trim and baseboards throughout the bath so that those more ornate details did not detract from the bathroom's monumental tub and sink. Scaling back ensured that these elements were highlighted beautifully. •    Precisely fitted metal doors—which took nine months to fabricate from start to finish—were installed where the previous windows had been. “Without doors, the bathroom might have felt closed in,” says McConaughey. One step up leads to a balcony cut out of the copper-plated catslide roof, allowing the McConaugheys to enjoy the outdoors or survey the weather on a busy morning. •    Though the bathroom's minimalist features can feel somewhat stark, a travertine floor grounds the look and offers warmth. Laid much like a wood floor, the woodgrain look of the stone allows it to take on the appearance of both. •    A modern bathroom should really be about negative space, says McConaughey, who suggests that one add color with art and accessories, leaving the bathroom's foundation as a calming and neutral backdrop.

Away from it All

A home office and out-of-date bath are transformed into a magnificent new master bath retreat

Photographed by Erica George Dines

DESIGN OBJECTIVE
In the creation of a new master bath in their 1928 Druid Hills home, Allison and Warner McConaughey, owner and founder of HammerSmith Inc., embarked on a tremendous renovation. Their goal: to create a comfortable dressing area that was conducive to good conversation, as well as his and hers closets and a spacious bathroom that looked out onto the back yard. “We wanted to create a luxurious retreat far from daily stresses and the family fray—a place to be in your own private world,” says McConaughey. The original bathroom, which was quite small and looked out onto the side of a neighbor's house, had been divided in too many places. “There were eight doors in that room,” says McConaughey, “even one behind the sink.” Designer Eric Rothman transformed the old bathroom into a dressing area and turned a home office on the back of the house into the spectacular new master bath retreat.

THE CHALLENGE
The homeowners wanted a European look, but one without a traditional, Old World feel. To keep things light and airy, they chose an Italian Lavasca tub made from white crystalplant. They loved its delicate curving shape and knew it would be the perfect focal point for the new bathroom, especially in tandem with a European-style trough sink. To keep the shape of the sink from competing with that of the tub, they had it custom poured from white concrete and cantilevered from the wall for a floating, weightless effect. Its straight lines and textured look lend a wonderful contrast, while a knotty walnut sliding tray brings in organic appeal.

DEFINING DETAIL
Everything in this bath is EarthCraft certified—a detail which has remained a standard in HammerSmith's work ever since the firm helped write the official EarthCraft specifications in 2002. The walls behind the shower, tub and sink are laid with Walker Zanger glass mosaic tile; the others feature natural Venetian plaster, hand-waxed by Allison for a waterproof and easy-care sheen that negates the need for paint (or harmful VOCs). The team also chose spray foam insulation for its eco-friendly qualities and installed high-efficiency plumbing and radiant floor heating throughout.

WHAT WORKS
All the architecture and construction were organized under one roof, so the team had creative control over the project from start to finish. One of the most successful executions was the variation in ceiling height from room to room. While not noticeable at first glance, the staggered proportions create a flow that feels just right.

DESIGN DETAILS
ARCHITECTS & CONTRACTORS
HammerSmith Inc.
807 Church Street
Decatur, GA 30030
(404) 377-1021
hammersmith.net

Pulling it All Together •    The tiles in the shower are cut from the same Alabama white marble used on the countertops; their large size and brick-pattern layout demonstrate a clever way to bring in a different texture without introducing a new material. •    In the shower, a fold-down teak bench contrasts nicely with the white marble tile and eliminates the need for a built-in seat. Paired with a hand-held sprayer, it's great for jumping in the shower at the end of a hot summer day. •    Dark heart pine floors and neutral walls add a richness that's so nice in a bathroom; marble tile spans the space between the shower and water closet, bringing in a waterproof surface where it's needed most.

Understated Elegance

A newlywed couple gets an unfussy and architecturally precise bathroom that makes the most of every inch

Photographed by Lance Davies

DESIGN OBJECTIVE
Walter and Mary Perrin, who were recently married, purchased this traditional Habersham Park home for its easy layout and ample bedrooms. But it wasn't long before they realized that the size of the master bath would be inadequate for their blended things. For the renovation, the Perrins called on architects Todd Pritchett and Craig Dixon, who converted the original bath space into his and hers closets and built a bath addition in the style of an old-fashioned sleeping porch to maintain continuity with the 1980s Georgian-style home. In the new bath, a frame of tall casement windows surrounds a glass-enclosed shower and an old-fashioned soaker tub that takes the spotlight beneath. Custom vanities, a dressing table and lots of built-in storage make it more complete than the Perrins expected. “Interestingly enough, Walter and I moved out of a house where we had separate bathrooms, so this was going to be the first time we shared one,” says Mary. “We get more out of this bathroom in a smaller space, and haven't had an overflow yet.”

THE CHALLENGE
The rest of the house had a very traditional look, so the architects “wanted to take traditional...and clean it up,” says Dixon. The new bath has a very symmetrical, architectural appeal. The tops of the windows, mirrors and glass framing the shower all line up at a spot 8 feet 4 inches off the floor. When combined with a monochromatic palette, integrated trim work and minimal materials, this understated bath needs little more than tile walls and lamps to feel complete. “It feels complete because of the way it's done,” explains Pritchett. “We always have everything custom tailored, so that nothing is off, not even an inch—making it very functional.”

DEFINING DETAIL
A window on one side of the shower allows the user to look not only across the bathroom, but also through the casement windows to the private yard just beyond. Throughout the room, no wall space goes unused: windows, mirrors, medicine cabinets and storage shelves utilize nearly every square foot.

WHAT WORKS
Every detail is accounted for, right down to outlets inside the medicine cabinets and drawers, where the Perrins can keep items like hair dryers and electric toothbrushes plugged in and always at hand. Custom-drilled holes in the dressing table's marble top keep the cords of two lamps hidden neatly out of sight.

DESIGN DETAILS
ARCHITECTS
Todd Pritchett and Craig Dixon
Todd Pritchett Design Studio Inc.
938 Peachtree St., NE, Suite 100
Atlanta, GA 30309
(404) 876-1390
toddpritchettdesignstudio.com

DESIGNER
Helen Jancik
Helen Jancik Unlimited
3450 Bridle Trail
Marietta, GA 30067
(678) 296-0888

CONTRACTOR
Weidman & Associates Inc.
Roswell, GA
(770) 552-8396
weidmannremodeling.com

Pulling it All Together •    The vanity was custom-designed to look like a piece of “simple, Shaker-style furniture,” says Pritchett. A toe kick beneath and open places on either side let the small room breathe, while plenty of drawers provide ample storage. •    Floor-to-ceiling shelves contribute a spa-like ambience by storing plush stacks of towels, always at hand. “That's one of our trademarks,” says Dixon. “We always try to create a place where the homeowner can grab a towel when he gets out of the shower.”

New Point of View

Two bedrooms become a super-cozy master suite with fireplace as focal point in a charming new bath

Photographed by Lance Davies

DESIGN OBJECTIVE
Architects Todd Pritchett and Craig Dixon renovated the entire Virginia-Highland home of John Peter Casey. Built in 1910, the dilapidated craftsman bungalow needed a lot of work. “What you see today was in shambles,” says Pritchett. “What we were trying to do was bring the house back to its former charm.” The house originally had a two-bedroom layout, with both bedrooms downstairs and a small hall bath between them. The owners didn't want to add on, but they still wanted a luxurious and functional master suite. Pritchett and Dixon created extra bedrooms upstairs and transformed one of the downstairs bedrooms into a bath, retaining the fireplace as the room's focal point. They also wanted a look that wasn't totally traditional. “What's fun about these bungalow-style homes is that you can be a little more playful,” says Dixon. “We wanted to maintain that look that feels so charming and real.” In keeping with this theme, a built-in soaker tub, flanked by the shower and water closet, feels as though it has rested in that space for decades.

THE CHALLENGE
In order to create a harmonious master suite, several of the walls had to be shifted—in some places as few as four inches—so that the master foyer, bed, doorways and fireplace all lined up on a central axis. The fireplace, now set off by Calcutta Gold marble mosaic tiles and equipped with remote-controlled gas logs, can be enjoyed from the bedroom or up close on a cold morning. “We definitely want a fireplace in our next home,” says Dixon. “We'd love a fireplace to be a trademark of all of our bathrooms.” Another big challenge was maximizing light with minimal windows, a common challenge in homes of that era and style. An oversize mirror reflects the view from above the tub and in the shower and helps bounce light around the room.

DEFINING DETAIL
Awning windows were installed high for optimum privacy and security. They can be raised via crank to let in fresh air, but their downward slope allows water to run off in the event of an unexpected summer storm.

WHAT WORKS
Casey, who once owned an antiques business, served as both contractor and interior designer on the project, contributing much expertise to the design and adding final touches such as art by Matt Wilken and an antique accent chair. “He has a really good eye, so he was wonderful to work with,” says Pritchett.

DESIGN DETAILS
ARCHITECTS
Todd Pritchett and Craig Dixon
Todd Pritchett Design Studio Inc.
938 Peachtree St., NE
Suite 100
Atlanta, GA 30309
(404) 876-1390
toddpritchettdesignstudio.com

Pulling it All Together •    A mirror is raised to chin height via a custom stainless-steel frame, maintaining the open feel of the bathroom and allowing light to flood in unobstructed—great for getting ready on a busy morning. •    Rather than cutting into the shower's tile floor to make room for a traditional drain, West designed a custom trough on one side and filled it with black river rocks. The plane of the shower floor slopes ever so slightly in one direction, allowing water to trickle to the side and disappear beneath the stones. •    The shower's privacy window is made from a high-performance, triple-layered acrylic called polygal, which is made primarily in Israel. Its unique pockets of air provide more insulation than glass. •    West's designs are inspired by his favorite, off-the-beaten-path architects, from Richard Neutra and Paul Rudolph to Tadao Ando and Steven Ehrlich. “This is certainly a departure from traditional Atlanta architecture,” he says. “But I think Atlanta is ready for something a little different.”

Ultra-Modern with Ease

A spec bath's sleek construction and open layout take good form and function to new heights

Photographed by Lance Davies

DESIGN OBJECTIVE
Through his design/build firm, Modern Habitat, Architect Scott West, of West Architecture Studio, created this modern spec house in the Reynoldstown district as a contemporary showpiece. For the master bath—which is part of a master suite spanning the home's third floor—West most wanted to make it open and free flowing. None of the walls that divide the rooms span from floor to ceiling, nor do they span the width of the space, allowing light to flow throughout. The only solid doors on the entire floor are those to the water closet and suite entrance. “It's a more functional and efficient type of layout,” says West. “You don't have to worry about opening a door when you're getting ready in the morning. It also decompresses the space and makes it feel larger than it would otherwise, especially with the cross light from the other rooms.”

THE CHALLENGE
Since this was a spec house, the biggest challenge was achieving high design on a medium budget. To do this, West took a minimalist approach, installing high-end materials and fixtures where they mattered most. A dual-flush toilet, shimmering ostrich slate floor, custom Wenge wood vanity and a Philippe Starck-designed soaker tub are just a few of these luxurious accents.

DEFINING DETAIL
“I always tend toward rectangular volumes in my designs,” says West. The shape of the mirror, windows and stone accents throughout all mimic one another, contributing to the balanced, spa-like feel. West also opted for visual balance without perfect symmetry—an Asian spin on modern design. Not all planes intersect exactly where one would expect, but it works.

WHAT WORKS
There's a certain advantage in directing both the design and construction of a project, explains West. Through West Architecture Studio, he often serves as architect only, but lately he's been taking charge of more. “I'm very particular about my designs, so it's important to find contractors who are experienced enough with modern design to do it well and affordably,” he explains. By serving as builder, West is able to maintain quality control from concept to completion.

DESIGN DETAILS
ARCHITECT
Scott West
West Architecture Studio
614 Irwin St.
Atlanta, GA 30312
(404) 222-0962
westarchitecture.com

DEVELOPER
Scott West and Scarlett Lyda
Modern Habitat, LLC
614 Irwin St.
Atlanta, GA 30312
(404) 222-0964
modernhabitat.org

CONTRACTOR
Chris Quinn
Modern Habitat, LLC
614 Irwin St.
Atlanta, GA 30312
(404) 222-0964
modernhabitat.org