Design Elements

Splash of Color

By Andrea Smith Photo by Suzy Gorman, courtesy of Temple and Hentz

Water isn’t the only element splashed throughout this bathroom. Pops of color and luxurious gold accents abound in Kate Griesedieck’s interior design, shown here.

Griesedieck, a design associate with Temple and Hentz, says her client was a childhood friend who “just wanted to be ‘wowed’” by his condo renovation.

“He prefers clean, contemporary lines but also appreciates vintage pieces,” she says of her client’s taste. “The vintage vanity was a fusion of both and set the tone for the rest of the space.”

The vanity was born a vintage dresser and later discovered hiding out at The Resplendent Crow, a shop in University City that transforms vintage furniture into modern pieces with glossy finishes.

“It was then retrofit into a fully functioning vanity, a purpose much different than it’s originally intended use,” Griesedieck details.

Griesedieck chose the sconces from Jonathan Adler to mimic vertical lines on the wall. Blackand-white porcelain marble tiles stretch across the shower wall, accentuating the ceiling.

“Finding the perfect tile within budget was a daunting task,” Griesedieck recalls. “Whites weren’t white enough, didn’t seem realistic or were over budget. On top of that, using the tiles to have one continuous line over the curb presented a large problem … It couldn’t be mitered, so we decided to use a metal trim piece on the front edge of the curb.”

Details that tie the space together in elegant fashion include Newport Brass plumbing fixtures; the vanity’s original “chunky gold hardware,” contrasted against a vibrant green; and a locally sourced, stunning vintage mirror. Griesedieck says her client fell in love with the finished product and was especially thrilled with the eye-catching vanity.

To those dreaming of a unique redesign in their own homes, Griesedieck gives this advice: “Plan and select all material before starting any work. The initial excitement of a project can easily become dulled when a project is drawn out due to material shortage or availability issues from the contractor. Communication with the contractor prior to purchasing materials is imperative. They can help anticipate any issues with your selections that you may have overlooked.”

Such meticulous tasks hardly dulled Griesedieck’s creative spirit, though. She says she was inspired by the opportunity to select and combine classic materials in such a bold manner. ln Temple and Hentz, 19 Clayton Terrace, St. Louis, templeandhentz.com