Photography: Donovan Roberts Witmer, The Premise Studio, Lancaster, thepremisestudio.com
Renovation is the common theme for the winning selections in our annual Kitchen and Bath Design Contest, proving what’s old really can be new again. Read along for top tips from the pros as they tackle dated spaces and awkward layouts, resulting in some of the most fabulous kitchens and bathrooms you’ll see this year.
Bathroom Design Winner
Karen Viscito Interiors
Modern Mix
In this winning bathroom design, a city-dwelling family relocates to Hershey and adds a modern vibe and visual interest to their new mid-century home.
The challenge: After relocating from Vancouver, the homeowners purchased a 1940s home in Hershey that had been updated, but some rooms still lacked character. “The guest bath was vanilla…literally, that was the color of everything,” says interior designer Karen Viscito, who helped the owners modernize several rooms in the home. Additionally, space in the bathroom was limited.
The solution: “The family wanted a room that was traditional, but with a modern twist,” says Viscito. So they started from scratch and designed a new space using classic materials in eye-catching patterns and textures. They also edited the layout slightly to provide more room.
The inspiration: “The floor tile was the starting point,” Viscito explains. “It gave that wink to the 1940s to start the design, and then we just ran with it.” Even after the project was completed, the marble mosaic tile remains the focal point for the room, with its bold hexagonal pattern. It also set the black-and-white color palette, to which Viscito adhered closely.
The design elements:
•The existing bathtub/shower combination was removed in lieu of a tiled shower with glass enclosure, which allows the eye to follow through to the back of the room, making the space seem longer.
•A black custom vanity with built-in storage space provides room for the family’s two children, who primarily use this bathroom, to stow their necessities.
•Textured subway tile was added on the lower half of the walls for an updated twist on a timeless design.
• The plumbing fixtures were selected in chrome—a classic finish that’s easy to mix and match, says Viscito. Unlacquered brass accessories (mirrors, vanity knobs, sconces) were added to keep the room on-trend.
The surprise: When it came to the lighting above the vanity, the homeowners let Viscito have free reign, so she added a fun element. “They said, ‘we can’t decide; you just surprise us,’ so I went with a vintage-inspired sconce with a bright red cord,” she says. “They loved it. The kids say it reminds them of licorice.”
Quick take-away tip: Graphic floors are having a moment in the design world, according to Viscito. “But if a client is hesitant to commit to something that bold, I always recommend trying it out.” Here’s one way you can do it at home: Buy a sample (one popular example is patterned cement floor tile, she says), photocopy it, and then lay the pages out on the floor to give you a realistic idea of what it will look like. “Don’t be afraid of it…it really adds impact.”
Resources:
Design: Karen Viscito, Karen Viscito Interiors, Mechanicsburg, karenviscito.com Wall tile: Lancaster Bianco 3x6-inch polished ceramic tile, Tilebar, tilebar.com Floor tile: Nova Pavo marble tile, Tilebar, tilebar.com Shower floor tile: 2-inch black matte hexagon mosaic tile, United States Ceramic Tile Lighting: Schoolhouse Electric, schoolhouseelectric.com Cabinet Hardware: Schoolhouse Electric, schoolhouseelectric.com Sink and Shower Fixtures: Waterworks from Inspirations Bath & Kitchen Studio by Hajoca, Harrisburg, inspirationsharrisburg.com Toilet: Kohler Touchless from Inspirations Bath & Kitchen Studio by Hajoca, Harrisburg, inspirationsharrisburg.com Countertops: White Cliff Cambria quartz, fabrication by Classic Rock Fabrication, Harrisburg, classicrockfab.com General Contractor: Ed Lank Kitchens, Inc., Lemoyne, edlank.com
Photography: John Herr, johnherrphoto.com
Bathroom Design Runner-Up
Henrietta Heisler Interiors, Inc.
Sparkle and Shine
For this runner-up bathroom in Camp Hill, designer tricks of the trade are used to create a sleek master bath that appears larger than life.
The challenge: Designer Henrietta Heisler has been helping the homeowner remodel his 1960s home one room at a time over the past several years. Like the other spaces in the house, the master bathroom had not been updated since construction. However, the homeowner desired a timeless yet masculine design. “Also, the bathroom is extremely small,” explains Heisler. “That alone proved to be a big problem.”
The solution: Because major construction was not the preferred option, Heisler had to become creative in her design. She used space-saving elements as well as optical illusions to create the appearance of a larger room. For the finishes, classic materials in modern styles were used to give the room a contemporary and fresh feel.
The inspiration: “We used mirrors on the walls to give the bathroom light and space,” Heisler says. The mirrors, which cover half of the wall space, remain the outstanding element the room and cleverly make the small bath seem spacious. Other design choices, like chrome fixtures, play on the theme of mirrored, shining objects, too.
The design elements:
•Storage is always an issue in a small bathroom. To remedy this, medicine cabinets were built into the wall and covered with mirrored doors for a seamless finish.
•A floating vanity allows the viewer to see more of the floor, adding to the illusion of a larger space. U-drawers (drawers that are built around under-sink plumbing) also add storage.
•Heisler selected large-format 24-by-24-inch tiles, laid on the diagonal, which makes the floor seem larger.
•The same Carrara-marble-look ceramic tile used on the floor was continued on the lower portion of the wall in a running-brick pattern. “We used the same materials to let your eye expand,” she explains.
The surprise: Did you know that a drain doesn’t have to be placed in the center of the shower floor? “They are really doing some incredible things with drains now,” says Heisler. “We went with a long drain, which looks more attractive and is placed on the side, so you don’t have to be walking on it.”
Quick take-away tip: “When it comes to remodeling, design is the most important and often the least considered part of the project,” Heisler says. Especially when it comes to tricky projects like this one, which needed innovative solutions for its issue of size, it’s better to let a professional develop the plan. Remember, designers don’t just select finishes; they consider the entire flow of the space.
Resources:
Design: Henrietta Heisler, Henrietta Heisler Interiors, Inc., Lancaster, henriettaheislerinteriors.com Tile: Crossville Virtue porcelain stone, satin finish Glass Tile Detail: Island Stone glass series Sconces: W.G. Keeley tall pivoting sconce in polished nickel with white glass Faucet: Kohler Artifacts single-handled sink faucet in polished chrome Sink: Kohler Rêve 39-inch pedestal sink basin in white Shower Faucet: Kohler Artifacts Rite-Temp pressure-balancing shower faucet with lever handle in polished chrome Toilet: Kohler Memoirs Folding Shower Seat: Rubinet Faucet Company Medicine Cabinet: Zaca Inc. Mirrors and Shower Door: Howell's Glass Vanity: Custom designed by Henrietta Heisler Interiors, Inc., built by Eldon Selzer Ceiling Paint: Benjamin Moore, Galveston Grey (AC-27), satin finish
Photography: Peter Leach Photography, peterleachphotography.com
Kitchen Design Winner
Kitchens by Eileen
Transitional Transformation
In this winning kitchen design, Lititz-based homeowners work with a talented team to create a timeless space that accommodates the whole family—pets included.
The challenge: The homeowners were looking to update the form and function of their 20-year-old kitchen with transitional style and more usable space. Additionally, they wanted to work with some existing elements of the room and needed to stick to a set budget.
The solution: Designer Eileen Riddle proposed a layout that merged the kitchen space with an adjoining breakfast nook, which was previously underutilized. In order to do this, she designed an oversized island that has ample room for bar seating and serves as the family’s primary dining area. In order to stay on budget, the materials used in the project were carefully selected to replicate more expensive inspiration elements.
The inspiration: The homeowners came to Riddle with a bounty of ideas from Houzz and home design websites. For example, they requested a built-in dog bowl station for their three golden retrievers, and she was able to advise them on the best placement to keep the dogs out of foot traffic. “I absolutely love it when clients come to me with their ideas,” Riddle says. “Their space is very personal to them; they know best what they like or don’t like.”
The design elements:
•As busy mom of two and a full-time working woman, the homeowner wanted an appliance that would help her get food on the table as fast as possible. To accommodate, Riddle added a secondary “speed oven” to the layout.
•One requirement was to work around the existing kitchen flooring, a dark slate tile with orange veining. Riddle recommended natural stone finishes, like a herringbone marble backsplash, to complement the flooring.
•To pay homage to current trends while still keeping the design classic, Riddle chose gray cabinetry (“the new beige,” as she calls it). On the main cabinetry, a pewter glaze was used, and on the island, a deep gray (“It’s a more modern alternative to black,” she says).
•Two industrial-style chandeliers light the island from overhead. Although the homeowners pictured three, Riddle drew it up for them and all agreed that fewer fixtures would help to avoid overwhelming the space overhead.
The surprise: One “dream kitchen” element the homeowners requested was Cararra marble counters, a high-priced item they thought they wouldn’t be able to fit into the budget. To get the look at a lower cost—with increased durability and easier maintenance—they opted for quartzite counters. “It worked perfectly,” she says. “In fact, they say that’s their favorite part of the kitchen design.”
Quick take-away tip: When it comes to designing a major room like the kitchen, Riddle advises keeping permanent elements more neutral. “Instead of picking bold finishes for your appliances or cabinetry, we always recommend adding color with accessories, which can be changed easily.” In this project, the gray tones of the cabinetry were accented by pops of rusty orange via a Persian runner and other décor.
Resources:
Design: Kitchens By Eileen, Lititz, kitchensbyeileen.com Appliances: Martin Appliance, martinsappliance.com Refrigerator: Miele built-in Speed Oven: Miele combination microwave and convection oven Range: Viking Sink: Whitehaven 33-inch farm sink by Kohler Cabinetry: Signature Custom Cabinetry, Ephrata, signaturecustomcabinetry.com Countertop: Calacatta marble and quartzite, Natural Stoneworks, Lancaster, naturalstoneworks.com Dog Dish Cabinet: Lagoon Silestone Lighting: Quoizel Wilder pendants Wall Paint: Benjamin Moore, Thunder (AF-685)
Photography: Elliot Quintin
Kitchen Design Runner-Up
O'Hanlon Kitchens, Inc.
Carlisle Charm
In this runner-up project, one Carlisle couple goes from minor update to full-blown kitchen renovation with modern amenities and farmhouse-chic additions.
The challenge: Builder-grade details on an over-20-year-old kitchen were starting to show their wear, making it due for an update. And, like many houses built in the ‘80s and ‘90s, the home missed the “open concept” trend by a few pivotal years in the design world. Poorly placed walls and an insufficient amount of windows created a space that was cramped and dimly lit.
The solution: Designer Tracy West of O’Hanlon Kitchens, Inc., worked with the homeowners on a renovation that merged the rooms into one flexible kitchen and dining area brightened by large windows and sliding doors on either end. Both rustic and contemporary finishes were incorporated to create a transitional-style space.
The inspiration: The hands-on homeowners sourced an 18-foot wooden beam from a defunct factory building to replace the load-bearing wall that previously separated the kitchen and dining room. This was the first of many details that provide old-world charm for the space.
The design elements:
•In place of the existing wall, West added a peninsula that houses a slide-in range with overhead vent hood. This keeps the line of sight into the dining area clear without disturbing the vital “work triangle” (sink, stove and refrigerator).
•Vinyl plank flooring was selected in a hand-scraped finish, which adds to the rustic feel. “This material is durable and water-resistant,” says Jessi O’Hanlon, co-owner. “In a kitchen, for easy cleanup and maintenance, it’s great.”
•White shaker cabinet doors set a vintage tone, as does sage-green accent cabinetry that doubles as a desk space.
•A stainless steel farm sink was chosen as a modernized version of the farmhouse staple.
•Rectangular gray glass tile adds a contemporary touch in the backsplash.
The surprise: Originally, the homeowner had contacted O’Hanlon Kitchens with the desire to update only her kitchen cabinetry. But after hearing West’s suggestion to open up the space, the homeowners decided to do a full overhaul, including wall removal.
Quick take-away tip: “For kitchens, I personally find hardware to be really important for the style of the space,” says O’Hanlon. “In a renovation, homeowners can change the look and feel of a room quickly by adding or swapping out the hardware.” In this project, the homeowners chose dark pewter handles to add visual interest and keep in line with the transitional design.
Resources:
Design: Tracy West, O'Hanlon Kitchens, York, okitchens.com Project Installer: Dustin Piper Cabinetry: Echelon Trevant in maple with linen and sage finish Countertop: Peacock green granite Flooring: Pure Loc vinyl plank in Ginger Oak Backsplash: American Olean 4-by-12-inch glass subway tile in Mink Hardware: Delgado 4-1/4-inch in Brushed Pewter Oven/Stove Combo: stainless steel Whirlpool Slide-in Smooth-Top electric range Refrigerator: stainless steel French-door style with freezer slide-out Dishwasher: stainless steel built-in with hidden controls
