The whole home was reimagined – merging a 3-bed, 2-bath and a 1-bed, 1-bath; the larger apartment’s original bathroom was repositioned in the redesign to make room for a hallway to connect the two apartments into a single 2,200 sq. ft., 4-bedroom, 4-bath apartment. The second remodeled bath was previously the kitchen of the 1-bedroom apartment.

As expected, there were a few challenges in bringing the vision to life. The existing bathroom, now transformed to a powder, was originally full-size; however, a large portion of it was needed to provide space for the connecting corridor between the two apartments. This required a re-routing of all plumbing and electrical lines – no small task, especially with the existing walls of the apartment being thin and of old-style construction. “We pretty much reconstructed all surrounding walls,” mentions Paris.

The Duravit wall-hung toilet coupled with the Geberit in-wall system opens more space in the powder room by encasing the toilet tank and plumbing hardware within the apartment’s walls.

Because of the position in the corridor, the door to the powder room was constructed flush with the wall so that it conceals the entrance, providing not only a smoother transition, but a far more pleasing aesthetic.

“The bathroom’s hidden phantom door and hallway walls are also covered with cork/golden leaf Romo wallpaper and have concealed door hinges creating a seamless look to conceal the entry to the powder room. The only evidence of the bathroom door to the passer-by is an ornate black knob. The door opens like a vertical stage curtain to reveal the dramatic color and style of the fixtures,” adds Paris.

Handmade Italian relief tiles were used for the focal point wall of the powder room. This contrasts with large-format porcelain tiles resembling rusted iron for the remaining walls, floor and ceiling. Concealed LED lights behind the mirror and in the ceiling help accentuate the powder room fixtures. Gold-tone circular sconces provide subtle “jewlery” at the center of the side walls.

Marrying function to the room’s aesthetic are the understated and free-standing white stone-resin sink, along with the satin gold-faucet and soap dispenser.

Paris reflects on the end result: ”Initially the client wanted a very colorful and ornate aesthetic. I believe we found a powerful way to incorporate all these attributes into the final design.”

We would like to thank our collaborators:

Stephan Thimme, AIA, Architect of record

PHcustomhome – General Contractor Duravit – wall hung toilet

Alchemy Materials – Italian relief tiles

Florim – porcelain tiles

Badeloft – Stone-resin sink

Valley Design Center – California Faucet and soap dispenser

Sugatsune – Soss door hinges

Geberit – toilet actuator