Of water and time Inspired in part by the luminous translucence of water, the design of these bathrooms also retains a degree of historical integrity Character homes, regardless of their ilk, have an in-built charm that many of us like to emphasize or retain. This is especially true if the home in question has remained in the same family for many years. When Alan Berman, principal of Archetype Design Studio, was contracted to remodel this 1920s-era apartment, the owner was adamant that the design scheme needed to reference family and architectural histories in its response. “The family link to the building began not long after its construction, when my
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client’s mother bought a new apartment there. When it was time to downsize, she purchased this smaller ground-floor unit,” says Berman. “Typical of its time, the apartment was a series of self-contained spaces, which were not conducive to modern-day living. A small half-bathroom adjoined the master bedroom and a slightly larger full bathroom was located alongside. “To make the spaces more functional, we removed the wall between the two to make a single ensuite bathroom.”
Facing page: The multifaceted design of this master bath by Alan Berman references the historical nature of the building, as well as the family history of the owner. Above: Personal items from the owner’s travels add a contemporary touch. Following pages: Art Deco details are found throughout the building, and Berman has incorporated components of this style into the design scheme – weaving together the architectural history of the building with the personal history of the apartment.
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“Given the apartment’s age, Art Deco references and family history, we wanted to inject classic elements into the design, with an added warmth and personality. “My original concept included a custom wooden tub, but when the client mentioned he had a family piece that he wanted to repurpose into a vanity, I had to slightly amend that idea,” says Berman. “The tub eventually became the custom tile soaking tub now in place.” To instill a sense of the homeowner, who works as a travel news journalist,
while referencing the elemental nature of the bathroom itself, Berman played with the concept of movement through water. Blue-hued glass mosaics in multiple sizes have been teamed with translucent panels on the shower surround to give the bather a sense of being completely immersed in a deep pool of water. The repeating pattern and sconces lend an Art Deco air to the design scheme, another historical reference point. A secondary bathroom was created from space borrowed from the kitchen.
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In this bathroom, similar elements have been carried through, but the treatment here is more comprehensive, resulting in a full blending of styles. “We’ve incorporated materials that feature in the master bathroom, but with a twist,” says Berman. “The wooden blinds for example, add warmth and personality but are not specific to any period, unlike the master bath vanity they reference.” See, save and share this story at Trendsideas.com/go/32438
Architect: David B Faren, Faren Development LLC Interior designer: Alan Berman with John Kristovich, Archtetype (New York) Builder: RSI Construction Tub: Custom Vanity: Repurposed existing walnut sideboard (master bathroom), Bancroft pedestal sink by Kohler (second bathroom) Faucets: Antique polished brass by Kohler (master bath vanity), Bancroft polished chrome by Kohler (bath and lavatory faucets) Shower fittings: Bancroft polished chrome by Kohler Wallcoverings: Blue glass mosaics by Daltile (master bath), White Thassos marble (second bathroom)
Tile flooring: White Thassos marble Toilet: Bancroft by Kohler Lighting: Downlights by WAC Lighting, Piedmont sconces (master bath) and Bliss sconces (second bathroom) by Sea Gull Lighting Accessories: Bancroft robe hooks, double towel holder, hand towel holder and toilet tissue holder by Kohler Blinds: Traditions composite (master bath) and faux wood (second bathroom) blinds by Graber Story by Justin Foote Photography by Jamie Cobeldick
Above left: The mirrored drawers have been in the family for many years. Teamed with the pedestal sink, they help reinforce the historical aspect of the design scheme in the secondary bathroom. Above center: The wooden blind references the vanity in the master bathroom, adding warmth and personality to the space. Above: The designers chose marble tile for the floors and walls in the secondary bathroom to provide a uniformity to the material palette. The translucent glass shower door matches those in the master bathroom.
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