Award-Winning Master Bath!

Since 1993, the Chrysalis Awards, which are sponsored by Kitchen & Bath Design News and Qualified Remodeler, have honored the finest remodeling projects in our country. The entries are judged by the very knowledgeable editors and writers of publications such as Better Homes & Gardens and Southern Living. This year’s national winner in the category of bath remodel was S&W Kitchens, designed by Lacie Rice.

Rice, who has been a designer with S&W Kitchens for seven years, was surprised and delighted with the accolade, although earning an award was not her foremost thought once she saw the scope of the job when she first met with her clients.

“Transforming this ‘90’s master bath that was not only dark and heavy-looking, but also had no functionality, was going to be a challenge because of several factors,” Lacie explained, “There was a narrow, arched window over the vanity area which was one of several such windows that ran across the front of the building.
For the integrity of the exterior design, we had to eliminate the window on the inside, but make it appear that the original window was still there from the outside.”

Another question that Lacie had to solve was how to make this crowded, 110 square foot bathroom have a lot more storage, yet feel more spacious and open.

She eliminated the awkward corner shower, which allowed her to extend the vanity enough to add linen storage and a pull-out laundry hamper. A long, shallow cabinet on the wall opposite the large vanity was added for storing cosmetics and grooming products. The old bathtub was replaced with a spacious shower that ran across the width of the bathroom and was enclosed by clear glass partitions.

“Selecting the finishes was a process,” Lacie stated. “The clients wanted a rustic feel, but not the heavy rustic look that exposed brick or wood paneling can bring. They wanted cleaner, simpler lines and lighter color, and to have it look timeless.” S&W Kitchens achieved the look and feel that the clients were after by installing natural walnut cabinets and having their definitive graining contrasted by light quartz countertops. The lighting, plumbing fixtures and hardware all have a vintage industrial style, which complements the simple lines of the cabinets. The bathroom has an interesting mixture of tile surfaces. Rustic, wood-plank ceramic tile was installed in a chevron pattern on the floor, while the shower floor boasts an interesting large-repeat geometric pattern. The subtly striated neutral wall tiles are livened up with a horizontal swath of penny round inlay.

The completed project gave the homeowners the bathroom that they knew they wanted, but were unable to create on their own, and it gave S&W Kitchens a well-respected award. Lacie Rice, while appreciating the recognition of the Chrysalis Award, related, “Every client gives us a different set of challenges. I get my reward from creatively and successfully overcoming the challenges and helping people transform their homes into their ideal space.”