PINELLAS COUNTY

Outdoor Oasis on the Water

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SUPERIOR QUALITY, EXPERT KNOWLEDGE

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 NATIONAL
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 CONTENTSSEPTEMBER 2018 PINELLAS COUNTY

20
LIGHT, BRIGHT AND CONTEMPORARY
Remodel breathes new life into an outdated home

ON THE COVER
The perfect spot to take in the sunset, this backyard retreat has it all.
Turn to page 34 to see the rest of this St. Petersburg haven.
Photo by Joe Traina

6 housetrends.com
 FINE
WOOD
DESIGN
34

14

45
CONTENTS
SEPTEMBER 2018 PINELLAS COUNTY

57 LANDSCAPING
34  LLURE OF THE WATER
A
St. Petersburg outdoor living space
takes advantage of its breathtaking locale

INTERIOR DESIGN
45  RING HOLLYWOOD HOME
B
Grab the popcorn and catch a
movie in your own home theater

BATHROOM
57  OLISHED PERFECTION
P
Master bathroom features
a shiny new design

DEPARTMENTS
10  OUSETRENDS.COM
H
Enjoy design tips, before and
afters, recipes and more
14  RESH FINDS
F
Great home design discoveries
we just had to share

8 housetrends.com
CERTIFIED
PROFESSIONAL
UDCP
 WHAT’S HOT @

HOUSETRENDS.COM PINELLAS COUNTY

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KITCHENS • BATHS • ADDITIONS • OUTDOOR LIVING • DESIGN BUILD

“I hired Van Selow Design Build to renovate my outdated kitchen. This is the best decision that I have ever made. With their friendly
professional expertise, this project was a breeze from start to finish. I plan to hire Van Selow for all my future renovations.”
–Sizorhapl1

11125 Park Blvd. Ste #104-165 Seminole, FL 33772

Awards 2018
727-391-2959 | www.vanselowdesign.com
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 fresh finds
Great discoveries we just had to share
2

TRENDING | BLACK AND BRASS | ASIAN INFLUENCES | DIAMOND SHAPES | EDISON BULBS
1 Hero light by Buster + Punch 2 Odeon rug runner by Company C 3 Siam credenza by Jonathan Adler 4 Diamonds wallpaper by Hygge &
West 5 Carlyle tile, Ellington collection by Walker Zanger 6 Lola tray by Arteriors 7 Orient pendant light by Fritz Hansen 8 Emperor desk by
Jonathan Charles

14 housetrends.com
 THE
ART OF
MAKING
HOME

SPECIAL SAVINGS GOING ON NOW

CITRUS PARK 8314 CITRUS PARK DRIVE (ACROSS FROM CITRUS PARK TOWN CENTER) 813.920.9696
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Sale going on for a limited time. Exclusions apply. Ask a designer or visit ethanallen.com for details. ©2018 Ethan Allen Global, Inc.
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 fresh finds
1 2

7 8

TRENDING | WHITE AND BRASS | STARBURST CHANDELIERS | TRIANGLES | INSPIRED BY WOOD

1 Prism Rose Gold wallpaper by Graham & Brown 2 Quorra chandelier by Feiss 3 Echo gray glass mosaic herringbone tile by Emser 4
Harlequin chest by Jonathan Adler 5 Mazur console by Arteriors 6 Murphy chandelier by Arteriors 7 Freeform console by Mitchell Gold+Bob
Williams 8 Round cotton and jute rug by Serena & Lily

16 housetrends.com
 Light, Bright
&
C2ontemporary
Remodel breathes new life into a Brandon home
BY HILARY DANINHIRSCH

1
Daniel and Kelly Pedersen used to live in a
neighborhood where all the houses looked
the same, so when they bought a ranch in
Brandon in an older neighborhood where
all the homes had their own distinct char-
acter, the couple decided to gut the house
entirely to make it their own.

housetrends pinellas county 21

2
 “We still have five bedrooms, but now we have an office and
a playroom; these were extra spaces we didn’t have before,”
Kelly says.
Another thing they did was convert the old master bed-
room into a guest room with an ensuite bathroom, and create
a new master bedroom, a project that added about 400 square
feet to the existing footprint.

Clean and comfortable

Style-wise, Kelly says she wanted a contemporary design that
was nevertheless comfortable and warm. “I like bright, white,
warm wood tones, but I also like to do some fun accents,”
she adds. The white walls brighten up the entire home, along
with the abundance of natural light filtering through the
windows. ➻
4

Reconfiguring the layout

The 4,000 square-foot house, originally built in 1984, had
a Mediterranean look, with arched windows, as well as a
detached arch overhang at the front entrance. The extensive
project took about a year, with Kelly, an interior designer
herself, working alongside in-house designer Maru Martin-
Moreno at Nelson Construction & Renovations in Clearwater,
to create a space that was unique, reflected their personali-
ties, and suited the family’s needs.
“We squared everything off and put on a metal roof to
make it more contemporary,” says Kelly. They also removed
a massive koi pond out front, painted the exterior, bought
new front doors and installed a modern walkway, all of which
completely changed up the exterior. 1 Interior walls were removed to create one large open floor
As it is compatible with contemporary styles, the couple plan, with the kitchen, dining and living areas sharing the same
wanted an open floor plan, which meant that the layout had space. Photo by Russell Missonis
to be reconfigured, something that was quite an undertaking, 2 Wooden front doors, a welcoming bench, and a brass chandelier
establish the inviting aesthetic in the entryway. Photo by Russell Missonis
with old walls being knocked out and new walls being put in.
3 The grand piano sitting in front of a handmade mural from
The original kitchen was moved from one side of the house an artist in Poland greets guests as they enter the front door.
to the other, while the five original bedrooms were shuffled Photo by Laura Henry

around, several of which were transformed into other rooms. 4 A beloved wood bench greets guests in the foyer. Photo by Laura Henry

housetrends pinellas county 23

 5 6
The welcoming foyer features a beloved wooden bench,
which Kelly says has been with her for years, having bought
it from someone selling it on the side of the road. “It has been
the piece that everybody loves,” she says. She also installed
wooden front doors, which is unusual in Florida because of
the humidity as it can result in the wood swelling, but she
has no regrets.
Upon walking through the front door, the grand piano is
the first thing a visitor sees. A handmade mural, bought from
an artist in Poland, hangs next to the piano.
Though it closely resembles hardwood, the Pedersens
7
installed tile flooring throughout the main living areas, as the
material is more suited to their family’s lifestyle, with three
small children and two older dogs.
A nod to Tampa’s history
The predominantly white kitchen features a marble island
with dark, gray veining throughout, which Kelly says looks
like a piece of art. Another matching slab of marble was used
for her perimeter countertops and backsplash. She also likes
the microwave installed in the island, as well as the storage
all the way around the perimeter. A hidden pantry looks like
 8 9 10

a paneled wall, and brass fixtures add a touch of warmth to

11
the white cabinetry.
Like many modern homes, this one has an eat-in kitchen
rather than a formal dining room, which works with the
Pedersen family lifestyle. The casual table sits underneath a
frosted beaded chandelier for an elegant touch.
But perhaps the pièce de résistance in the kitchen is
the wooden beams on the ceiling, which came from the
historic Biltmore Hotel near Clearwater, which contractor
Greg Nelson says was the oldest wood structure in Florida,
demolished several years ago. Kelly was able to hand pick the
beams that she wanted and store them in her garage until
they were ready to be installed. “I have a little piece of Tampa
history in my home, which I love,” she says. ➻

5 A black freestanding bathtub from Signature Hardware offers a

relaxing respite in the master bathroom. Photo by Russell Missonis
6 A black double vanity cabinet, honed marble countertops and
chrome fixtures establish the design in the master bathroom.
Photo by Russell Missonis

7 The master bedroom is decorated in soft neutral hues and

features a sparkling chandelier and a trunk from South Korea
positioned at the foot of the bed. Photo by Russell Missonis
8 The fabric headboard and animal décor create a cozy retreat in
this bedroom. Photo by Laura Henry
9 A unique drum chandelier adds visual interest to the ceiling in
the nursery. Photo by Laura Henry
10 This child’s bedroom is decorated in soft pastel hues of pink
and teal. Photo by Laura Henry
11 The black and white cement tile floor pops against the neutral
palette in the kids’ bathroom. Photo by Laura Henry

housetrends pinellas county 25

12
Installing those beams, made from extremely dense
reclaimed heart pine, proved to be quite a challenge. “The
hurdle was getting them installed and making sure they were
safe; the beams weighed hundreds of pounds,” Nelson says,
adding that it required getting some additional engineering
done to support them. But it was worth the effort, Nelson
says, as it’s pretty unique to have a portion of a 100-year-old
building given new life in a new home.
A laundry room off the kitchen features cork flooring and
also serves as a book bag station. Custom dog crates were
installed underneath the counters.
26 housetrends.com
Elegant features add interest
The center of the home is the living room featuring a leather
sectional sofa and large framed picture windows that over-
look the pool out back.
Another custom feature in the home is the barn doors that
lead to the playroom, complete with a chalkboard wall and a
patterned carpet. A nice bonus is that the doors can be closed
when the playroom is in disarray, laughs Kelly.
The owners also opted for black cabinets and a stand-alone
black bathtub in their master bath, choosing honed marble
countertops with bright, chrome fixtures to offset the darker
tones. The diamond pattern on the marble floors also adds a
bit of oomph. ➻
12 Wooden beams salvaged from the
historic Biltmore Hotel near Clearwater
were installed in the ceiling over the
kitchen. Photo by Russell Missonis
13 The playroom features cozy furniture
and ottomans, along with patterned carpet 13
and a chalkboard wall. Photo by Laura Henry

housetrends pinellas county 27

14

The master bedroom is bright and

airy and overlooks the front yard. “I
love all the natural light that comes in
from those windows,” she says. Like
the kitchen, the wooden beams on the
ceiling are remnants of the hotel. The
trunk at the base of the bed was a wed-
ding gift from her husband when he
was stationed in South Korea. A spar-
kly beaded chandelier over the bed is
reminiscent of the chandelier over the
kitchen table.
In the children’s rooms, Kelly played
BEFORE
with color a bit, incorporating pastels
and wall-to-wall carpeting to keep them To see another impressive home renovation, go to housetrends.com and search: Sunny side
cozy and warm, though she went with
white for the kids’ bathroom along
with cement tile in a black and white
RESOURCES
Contractor Nelson Construction & Renovations, Inc.; Kitchen and bathroom design
pattern. Maru Martin-Moreno, Nelson Construction & Renovations, Inc.; Elements Design Co.;
Although the large-scale project was Interior design 7th House Interiors; Landscape design Meri Lawn Care & Landscaping,
long and involved, Kelly says that in LLC; Lighting Visual Comfort; Restoration Hardware; Paint Benjamin Moore Decorator’s
White; Sherwin-Williams Tricorn Black; Flooring Cement Tile Shop; Window treat-
the end, it was a lot of fun and well
ments Budget Blinds; Windows Pella; Doors FireRock; Cabinetry Bellmont Cabinet Co.,
worth it. “The team was great; I got supplied by Elements Design Co.; Countertops and backsplash Montclair Danby honed
along well with my foreman, which was marble; Sinks Blanco; Rohl; Faucets Delta; Kohler; Appliances Jenn-Air;
everything. Communication is key in a Bathtub Signature Hardware; Hardscapes Outdoor Impressions
project like this. You have to be on the
same page and work with each other.
We definitely achieved that.”

14 The renovated home now features a

metal roof, new front entry doors, and a
modern walkway designed to complement the
contemporary architecture. Photo by Russell Missonis

28 housetrends.com
Allure4
W2ater
of the

1
 St. Petersburg outdoor living space takes
advantage of its breathtaking locale
BY SARAH J. DILLS | Photos by Joe Traina
We all have that favorite place we go to relax and get away from it all.
More often than not, that special place includes the great outdoors and
water. The owners of this St. Petersburg home wanted nothing more
than to create their little slice of heaven on the water. The end result is
a resort-inspired haven with unbeatable views. ➻

housetrends pinellas county 35

2

36 housetrends.com
 5
1 The raised spa includes a water feature
that spills into the connected Grecian-
style swimming pool. 2 The second-story
veranda overlooks the new outdoor living
area complete with a pool, raised spa and
fire bowls. 3 Commercial outdoor space
heaters mounted above the doorways
in the outdoor living room provide the
homeowners with year-round comfort.
4 An Alfresco grill, topped with a custom
hood comprised of teak and copper,
serves as the focal point in the beautiful
outdoor kitchen. 5 The covered outdoor
living room blends in with the architecture
of the home and includes hidden auto-
matic rolling hurricane shutters.
Reuniting the team
The homeowners enlisted the expertise of Kevin McClure, owner of
McClure Contracting, Inc., to help them bring their vision to life. The
couple had worked with McClure on an interior renovation at the home
six years ago. When they purchased the lot adjacent to their property, he
was the only person for the job.
The homeowners wanted to create an outdoor oasis complete with hard-
scaping, a pool and an indoor/outdoor entertaining area. “I was overseeing
everything,” McClure explains. “We’re very hands-on and we don’t just sit
behind desks. We have eight full-time employees on site every day.”
Resort-inspired amenities
The homeowners envisioned a resort-type setting for guests to relax. From
the second-story veranda overlooking the pool, visitors have a breathtak-
ing view of the water.
The patio decking and spa surround are a sleek travertine that sur-
rounds the Grecian-style pool. Oasis Pavers & Pools refinished the pool
with a blend of pebble and glass beads from NPT that gives the pool sur-
face a beautiful sheen.
All-weather, outdoor furniture is strategically arranged around the pool
deck to create multiple seating areas. Fire bowls and a fire pit provide
drama, color and warmth on cool nights. “The homeowners wanted to
be able to control everything with the touch of a button,” McClure says.
“Automatic sunshades block bright sunlight and can be operated with a
remote control or smart phone app. There is also a heating and cooling
unit and a phenomenal sound system.”
The outdoor living room includes commercial outdoor space heaters
mounted above the doorways and a massive television can be seen from
almost anywhere inside the covered living area.
RollShield, LLC installed automatic rolling shutters that the homeown-
ers can lower with the push of a button in preparation for a hurricane.
McClure hired Riggins Associates to install custom panels, created by
Artworks, to conceal the shutters. “You don’t have the big, ugly square
boxes that you normally see. These are all installed inverted and inside the
structure. It was very challenging, but the end result allows the shutters to
seamlessly blend in with the design,” McClure says. ➻
housetrends pinellas county 37
 6

Creative use of materials

To prevent weathering, the  box  construction  of the outdoor kitchen
cabinets was done using an Azek material. Azek is typically known as a
decking material, but it can be used for other things due to its durabil-
ity. The cabinet doors and drawer fronts were built using natural teak—a
salt-water friendly wood traditionally used on boats. “The teak just has
to be oiled,” McClure explains. “And it complements the Solarius Gold
granite countertops.”
McClure wanted to leave a special detail, or signature, in this project for
the homeowners. He created a custom hood made of copper and teak to
serve as a focal point in the outdoor kitchen. “I wrapped the hood with the
copper, and Kenny Buckalew with Florida Building & Stair Supply, carved
the latitude and longitude of the home into the teak,” McClure says.
Whether entertaining in the outdoor kitchen, lounging in the living
room, or taking a dip in the pool; this is the perfect spot to watch the sun
7 go down.

6 The pool finish, from the NPT StoneScapes Touch of Glass series, features a mixture of pebble and glass beads, which creates a spar-
kling effect in the water. 7 The travertine deck provides a variety of inviting seating areas, which allow the homeowners to have plenty of
space to entertain. 8 Captivating palm trees and glowing fire bowls help establish the resort feel of the private outdoor living space.

38 housetrends.com
 To see another
impressive outdoor
living space, go to
housetrends.com and
search: Dog days
of summer

RESOURCES Contractor Kevin McClure, McClure Contracting, Inc.; Architect Milan Jovanovic, Jovanovic & Lyons,
LLC; Landscape designer and landscaping Bob Deegan, Belleair Palms; Lighting The Coppersmith, Lighting by Electric Service
Company; Electric hurricane shutters and screens RollShield, LLC; Cabinetry Southern Stone Cabinets; Florida Building & Stair
Supply; Countertops Granite Plus; Sinks and faucets Ferguson Enterprises; Appliances Perlick refrigerator; Alfresco grill; Scotsman
icemaker; Sharp microwave drawer, Ferguson Enterprises; Pool finish NPT StoneScapes Aqua Blue Touch of Glass, applied by Oasis
Pavers & Pools; Hardscapes Artistic Pavers; Gates and fencing Hot Shot Welding; Seawall coating Gemstone Concrete Coatings,
Inc.; Fence and railings iDeal Aluminum; Outdoor comfort systems A-NIKS; Roofing Gibson Roofing; Construction materials
Florida Building & Stair Supply; Banning Lumber

housetrends pinellas county 39

Awards
 Bring
Hollywood
Home
Grab the popcorn and catch a
movie in your own home theater
BY SYDNE SANTO

When you first decide to incorporate a theater

into your home, you’ll probably have some ideas
in mind of what it’ll be used for. Are you plan-
ning to host watch parties with your friends for
major sporting events or have family movie night
every week? No matter what inspired your most
recent home renovation, we know the idea of
having a home theater represents more than just
convenience: it represents the newfound ability
to bring luxury into your home. When creat-
ing your perfect home theater, it’s important to
consider all of the exciting technical and design
options available to you. ➻
housetrends pinellas county 45
Comfort is key
Adding seating to your space
is one of the biggest differ-
entiating factors your home
theater will have. Are you
going solely for comfort and
enjoy the idea of traditional
theater chairs or are you
wanting to push the enve-
lope with bright chairs of
different shapes and sizes?
The great thing about home
theater seating is that you
really can’t go wrong.
1

2
 3

First, it’s important to have

an idea of how many people
you plan on entertaining in your
home theater. If you have chil-
dren or a large family, it’s a good
idea to plan on adding a few
extra seats in the event that you
have extra guests.
Many people often overlook
the importance height plays
when choosing proper seating;
a person who is 5'1 will need
different accommodations than
a person who is 6'1. A safe bet
for all parties is to choose seat-
ing that incorporates adjustable
headrests to allow maximum
head and back support. ➻ 4

1 By incorporating vibrant seating, this Dayton, Ohio home theater is sure to be the life of any party. Photo by Daniel Feldkamp 2 This Tampa,
Florida home theater fashions traditional theater seating equipped with cup holders and trays for convenience. Photo by Johan Roetz 3 This
Jungle Book-inspired theater in a Dayton, Ohio home placed a large emphasis on comfort with its traditional theater chairs. Photo by Daniel
Feldkamp 4 Rather than being separated, this Cincinnati, Ohio home theater is located just off the bar, allowing guests to move freely
between the two rooms. Photo by Ross Van Pelt

housetrends pinellas county 47

 5

Screen time
When it comes to placing the screen, it’s important to account for both the size of the space in
question and the distance between the viewers and the screen. In general, it’s safe to assume
that the size of the screen should be 1.5 – 3 times smaller than the distance between the seat-
ing and the screen. For example, if the seating is placed 10 feet (120 inches) away, the screen
should be 120/1.5 or 120/3, or between 80 and 40 inches. Because this is such a wide range,
it’s almost always better to go bigger if you’re stuck between sizes. However, beware of the
overall size of your room, as you wouldn’t want to lose an entire wall to a screen alone.
To avoid uncomfortable viewing positions, it’s also smart to measure out where the eye will
naturally rest on the screen. If you’ve chosen to incorporate reclining chairs into your theater,
it’s important to remember that many, if not all, of your movies will be watched at an angle, so
hanging your screen at a slight angle will account for this change. ➻

48 housetrends.com
 6

5 Thanks to the large screen

in this Pittsburgh, PA home
theater, moviegoers are sure
to have a bird’s eye view no
matter where they sit. Photo by
Craig Thompson

6 Screen Innovations Solo Pro,

available at Rick’s Electronics
Boutique, is a wireless, cus-
tom, motorized, rollable,
portable cassette projection
screen with two years on a
single charge. Photo courtesy of Rick’s
Electronics Boutique

housetrends pinellas county 49

 Can you hear me now?
In order to enjoy all that movies have to
offer, you’ll want to include a sound system
as well. Thanks to modern technology,
many audio/video companies can provide
a central control system for all technologi-
cal functions, from volume to lights, in the
palm of your hand. At the very heart of
your sound system will be your home the-
ater’s receiver, which is used to power your
speakers.
As we’ve seen with the other aspects
involved in building a home theater, it’s
important to consider the space you’re
building in. If your space is doubling as
another room, finding speakers to fit on the
wall or on a shelf is a good way to save space
7 for foot traffic. On the other hand, if you’re
building a designated theater room, you
can’t go wrong with simple tower speakers.
Many homeowners also opt for sur-
round sound, and incorporate it either
with ceiling additions or by placing speak-
ers in various positions throughout the
room in order to recreate the true movie
theater experience. To emphasize the dra-
matic effects that make movies as mes-
merizing as they are, you’ll also want
to include subwoofers. When choosing a
subwoofer for a large space, your best bet
is to choose a sub with a woofer at least
12-inches large, while compact subs work
well in smaller rooms. ➻
7 Disguising speakers into the design of your
theater can greatly add to the aesthetic, as
seen in the pillars of this gorgeous home the-
ater in Columbus, Ohio. Photo by Robert Lawson
8 The white paneling on the walls hides the
movie speakers in this Dayton, Ohio home.
Photo by Peter Maric/Triplet 3D

9 Thanks to the overhead lighting and dim-

mable hanging lights, viewers can maneuver
throughout this Cincinnati, Ohio home theater
with ease. Photo by Robin Victor Goetz
8

50 housetrends.com

Turn up the lights
Once you’ve finished building your
space, you can begin searching for the
appropriate lighting. When it comes to
choosing lighting, it’s important to find
something that’s dimmable and remote
controlled – having to travel back and
forth between your seat and the lights
in the dark practically defeats the pur-
pose of having lights at all! As we previ-
ously explored, installing an integrated
BBD Lifestyle; High Fidelity Systems; Rick’s Electronics Boutique
9
home theater control system allows you
to monitor all aspects of your experi-
ence from your chair.
While there are plenty of different
lighting options available for home
theaters, it’s important to take into
account the type of lighting your room
already provides. If your space is home
to windows, you first should install
proper blinds to block out any ambient
RESOURCES
light. If you’ve chosen to include a front
projection screen, your room should be
as close to total darkness as possible,
while a rear projection screen accounts
for dim lights within the room. To play
it safe, choosing room lighting that
operates on a dimmer ensures that, no
matter how your screen functions, your
lights can be easily accommodated into
your space.
housetrends pinellas county 51
2015 2016 2017 2018
REMODELING TEAM
®
®
 P1olished
Perfection2
Master bathroom remodel a lustrous retreat
BY ABBY WEINGARTEN | Photos by Joe Traina

Serene and spa-like best describe the remodeled master bathroom in Stephanie Triko and
Rob Schuler’s downtown St. Petersburg condo. Set on Beach Drive in the core of the
city, the condo was built in 2007 and boasts Tampa Bay views from all angles. The
three-bedroom, three-and-a-half bathroom unit was redone in 2013 by the
previous owners, and Stephanie and Rob purchased it in July 2017.
They fell in love with the views but knew they would have to
renovate the master bathroom to suit their needs.

housetrends pinellas county 57

2
A beautiful blank canvas
The bathroom revamping, which began that October, was
a collaboration between the condo owners, interior designers
Bruce Laughridge and Ron Haynes of Urban Innovations,
Inc., contractor Mark Zdrojewski of Strobel Design Build, and
cabinet maker Michael Bright of Bright Wood Works.
The space now features a sleek white aesthetic, floating
vanities, undercabinet and overhead lighting, and marble
focal walls. “At first, the biggest problem with the bathroom
was that it was so closed off from the rest of the master suite.
When you’re standing in the bathroom, you have a view of
the hallway right out to the bay,” Laughridge and Haynes
say. “The homeowners did want it to open up more and take
advantage of that view. They also wanted to do something
modern.” ➻

1 A captivating slab of Calacatta Macchia Vecchia marble was

installed behind the freestanding bathtub and in the nearby
shower.
2 The glass pocket door creates privacy in the bathroom but also
offers a glimpse of the view out the windows in the master bed-
room.
3 A wall and solid door, separating the water closet, was removed
and replaced with a sleek frosted glass door, allowing for an addi-
tional storage cabinet to be added to the bathroom.

housetrends pinellas county 59

 4 Laughridge and Haynes started with a blank canvas with
4 Dark bronze plumbing fixtures, including
three showerheads seen here, pop against
the predominately white backdrop.
60 housetrends.com
large-format white porcelain tile floors and crisp white walls.
“We went for everything white, but we did the wall-mounted
base cabinets and linen cabinet in darker wood for contrast.
Stephanie and Rob also had a preference for dark bronze
plumbing fixtures,” the designers say. “We tried to keep the
space as light as possible. We chose a stone that was the
feature wall behind the tub and let the color be dictated by
the stone.”
The stone chosen was polished Calacatta Macchia Vecchia
from Custom Marble Works—a particularly stunning slab
featuring rich gold and taupe veining that wowed the design-
ers and homeowners at first glance. “Our most unique fea-
tures center around the stonework,” Stephanie says. “The
marble is book-matched and turned out fabulous.”
A bright and welcoming design
So did the lighting concept and space utilization. “It’s now
unified in the way it opens into the master bedroom and how
the light streams in,” Laughridge and Haynes say. “We did
false skylights with a wooden screen fabricated to go over the
top of the bathtub. It’s actually a lighted ceiling, so it’s never
dark even though it’s an interior room.”
The water closet, which began as a typical separate room
with a door, was eliminated, making room for larger cabinets.
A frosted glass door now hides the water closet area. For the
shower, the designers went with more glass and a frameless
enclosure to make the area even more open. “We used as
much usable space as we could, especially in a bathroom,
where it’s tight to begin with. We just eliminated the wall
separating the tub and toilet,” Laughridge and Haynes say. “It
feels much larger.”
Bright selected the mahogany that was used in the cabi-
nets. The material, he says, is recognized as a coastline wood
because it is used in boat interiors. “I think some of the spe-
cialty features of this bathroom are the floating appearance of
the base cabinets, the integrated lighting and the light bridge
above the tub,” Bright says. “It’s always fun to collaborate with
a design team like Urban Innovations. They create an original
design for every project.”
An accommodating space
The completed bathroom also perfectly accommodates the
needs of the owners, who both work from home and spend
much of their time at the condo. A full-time residence, the
condo was initially appealing because of its layout, though
the original bathroom gave the homeowners “serious reserva-
tions.” ➻
5 The floating mahogany vanities are topped
with thick slabs of white quartz, establishing
the modern aesthetic in the space.
5
 6
“While the unit had undergone a stunning renovation, the
bathroom was original and developer-grade,” Stephanie says.
“The new master bathroom design draws the exterior light
and view in through the widened sliding glass entry door.”
That sliding glass pocket door was an impressive feat of
construction. “To achieve a clean look for the door, the dry-
wall had to be finished and painted inside the pocketing of
the glass entry door to the bathroom,” says Zdrojewski. “The
final result was certainly worth the extra effort. It was excit-
ing to see the whole vision come together.”
Bright’s new custom cabinets provide ample space for all of
the homeowners’ necessities. The state-of-the-art electronic
Kohler DTV system allows them to turn all three shower-
heads on and off with the touch of a button. The large vessel
tub accommodates two people comfortably. “The bathroom
is not overly large, but the use of clean lines and glass gives
the feeling of openness and complete functionality,” says
Zdrojewski.
“Giving up the natural lighting from our old unit was
going to be hard. Fortunately, the designers came up with a
great design that is attractive, functional and maximizes the
potential of the space. Every day is a delight.” Stephanie says.
62 housetrends.com
Not only does the current design dazzle the homeowners,
it also regularly inspires awe from guests. “My friends and
neighbors always compliment the quality craftsmanship,
the marble and the cabinets, and they almost always ask for
the number of the contractors,” Stephanie says. “We were so
blessed to have worked with such spectacular artisans.”
To see another bathroom with natural details, go to housetrends.com
and search: Against the norm
RESOURCES
Designers Ron Haynes and Bruce Laughridge, Urban
Innovations, Inc.; Contractor Strobel Design Build; Cabinetry
Bright Wood Works; Custom area rug Addison/Dicus & Bailey;
Quartz countertops and marble slabs Custom Marble
Works; Tile installation Artisan Tile & Stone; Plumbing
fixtures Ferguson
6 An abundance of mirrors with integrated lighting hang
above the floating vanities.
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