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GOLD
Honeymoon Suite
POLLY NUNES, CMKBD
South Bay Design Center, Lomita, CA
Photos: Kim Pritchard, Kim Pritchard Photography
Wedding anniversaries align with certain gifts, but the creation of a honeymoon suite was the present for these clients, who were celebrating their 35th anniversary. The master bedroom and master bath in this 550-sq.-ft. space swapped locations so that the view – complete with new outdoor deck with vertical garden off the bedroom – could be enjoyed even from the tub via a see-through fireplace. The resulting space, designed by Polly Nunes, CMKBD, with Kamer Kosedag, included not only the bedroom, bath and deck, but a walk-in closet, television/coffee bar area with Kalamera beverage refrigerator, and home office.
The bathroom itself delivered feature walls with 3D brown tile from MSI that included the fireplace and acted as the backdrop for the freestanding Kohler tub. Along the fireplace wall, a glass enclosed shower is finished with Porcelanosa concrete tile and Brizo rainshower to continue the earthy, natural vibe.
Across from the tub, a vanity showcases the Terra door style in Carbon from Bellmont Cabinetry, paired with pull tabs from Top Knobs and Pental SuperWhite countertop. Two oval sinks from Kohler deliver functional style, along with contemporary faucets from Brizo. A small makeup niche on the far wall was added when a water heater was removed.
Glass doors were incorporated throughout the bath space, including the private toilet room with TOTO contemporary toilet, to allow for natural light. Lighting was used creatively throughout the space, including floor lights to illuminate the fireplace and create a mood within the rooms.
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SILVER
Cosmopolitan Wet Bar
LAUREN TOLLES
Maison Birmingham, Birmingham, MIn Center, Lomita, CA
Photos: Martin Vecchio, Martin Vecchio Photography LLC
The new homeowner of this Birmingham, MI home had a vision for this 16-sq.-ft dark wood wine storage area tucked under the stairs of this grand-scale living room. The client, who recently relocated from New York City, desire a wet bar that looked like it could be in a Manhattan penthouse.
A major challenge for Lauren Tolles was melding the modern, cosmopolitan feel the homeowner desired with the traditional wainscoting and overall transitional aesthetic of the space. She chose a high-gloss emerald and brass bar for the alcove, which adds a pop of color. A dark Greystone porcelain gives the bar a rich, opulent edge.
Warm LED lights were placed in, under and on top of the emerald lacquer cabinetry to create an alluring glow, reflecting off of the brass fixtures and brass framed glass cabinet fronts. The arched ceiling was painted a luxe gold to further enhance the dramatic glow.
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BRONZE
Lower Level Luxury
LIBBY PALMIERI
House of L, Solon, OH
Photos: Kyle Wodarczyk
Libby Palmieri created a recreational retreat in the 1,600-sq.-ft. lower level of this home for a family of six, incorporating a requested wine and bourbon room, exercise space and updated baths, as well as converting a huge, empty entry into usable space.
The wine and bourbon room showcases custom cabinetry adorned with Northport hardware from Schaub & Co. Taj Mahal quartzite, Blanco Rondo sink and Broderick faucet from Delta Faucet are featured, along with refrigeration from Sub-Zero and True Residential and Tuxedo Park tile in Gillespie Green from Artistic Tile.
The vacuous entry was transformed into a cozy library and lounge for reading, studying and hanging out. A floating ceiling detail was incorporated to define the space, and lacquered paneling and built-in shelving were added, along with Primadora quartz surfacing from Caesarstone.
All three baths received cosmetic updates including new wallpaper, tile, vanities, countertops, lighting and plumbing fixtures. The powder room includes Flora 7 Cement Tile from LiLi Tile and the Pure Collection of tiles from Sonoma Tile. Products used in the remaining two baths include Rosso Onyx, Toto Aquia toilet, Kohler Thoreau sink, Stone Forest Siena Recesso Console vanity, Brizo Levoir faucet and California Descanso faucet.