Name: Kate
Location: San Francisco, CA
Why I use color:
"Color is expression. It provides meaning without words. I added a half bath to my home by carving out space from the garage. The question became, "How do I turn this dark rectangle with no windows into something beautiful?" The solution was color! My inspiration was aqua marine ceramic tiles. I painted the walls the color "Reflection" by Devine Paints and balanced it with soft white pebble tile on the floor. I choose warm teak wood accents to play
against the space's cool colors. Once a dusty unused corner of a garage is now an oasis of color and light!"
Color Tips:
"1. When choosing a color or color palette for a space I find it best not to start at the paint store amongst the hundreds of paint chips. For starters it is overwhelming but more than that it is not personal. By personal I mean it is hard to gauge what color provides that certain emotional reaction you are looking to get from your space. For example, for my bathroom I started with the notion that I wanted my space to be tranquil. From there I found the tiles which evoked that feeling. This became my basis for the rooms color palette.
2. Try and find smaller specialty paint stores. The huge chain stores are good sometimes but I find myself returning to the mom and pop types more. They often devote more time to answering your questions and suggesting things you did not know you needed to know.
3. If at all possible paint only during daylight hours. This is something I learned from personal experience. Pulling a caffeine induced all nighter with friends was fun until dawn brings light onto crazy paint roller's overlapping marks and sloppy edges! All in all let there be light!"
Color Resources:
1. Although this is not your typical resource per se one of my greatest ways to gather color inspiration is by being resourceful with my digital camera. Having it handy to document something I come across that I find out and about gives me a way to refer back to it later. I photograph fabric, a store display, a plant, a house's architectural elements etc.
2. Although a generic answer, Magazines are a great resource. I love all the Shelter magazines and pray dearly that there would be even more out there to buy on a monthly basis (My husband and checkbook pray for the opposite). In order to keep my life organized I cut out specific articles or pictures that I want to resource later. I plastic sleeve them in binder organized by subject matter. You will find after you get your collection going it is like having a perfect customized magazine tailored to just you.
I like this powder room a lot. In spite of the cooler colors used, it feels very warm. Good wood choices. Love the clear glass vessel sink, love bench/low-cabinet (Hold Everything?).
Great use of a very difficult color. Must try in my own horrific NYC bathroom; it may work.
That bench is on sale at Holdeverything.com right now, just fyi. I was wondering if it would be a good changing table that could be converted into a cabinet later on, but I guess it's a little low.
What's that sound?
Oh, it's me, drooling all over my laptop at those tiles. Pretty!
Anything built around the color of beach glass is just fine by me. Really crisp and well done.
Very interesting way to use the tile. If I heard this described, I'd think it odd or unfinished. But it looks unique and intentional.
Ditto the "jog" in the way you've configured the countertop.
Kate, what blue/green is that ? I might want to try it in my bathroom. I think it works really well with the colors and materials in the room.
An excellent use of color in making a small space seem open and airy. I'm very, very
impressed with this combination of wood and tile and certainly would vote for it to be the winner.
The aqua-marine color is even reflected in the glass sink and mirrors. Lovely!
Wow! this is the color for me...I love the cool,clean, transparent look of the blues/greens combined with the warm colors of the wood. Great design and color selection. I vote for:
" Kate's Oasis Of Color And Light."
What a lovely room. I usually don't like raised sinks - yours looks terrific, and very well suited to the room. Well done, and very nice colour.
But a caution about Devine paints to everyone listening. I really had trouble matching the colour to the chip the mom-and-pop paint store gave me. (Guess that's why Devine wants you to buy a sample instead.) The guy at the store said it was a real problem with their paints. The yellow I picked ended up being much, much muddier than I had expected, and the nice store exchanged the Devine paint for another premium paint.
Im blown away at this space! How I wish it was in my own home. Also bravo for taking a risk and entering a small bathroom when everyone else has much bigger rooms. It shows even with limits the designer has made this space a tiny retreat with color and balanced accessories. I love what you wrote too. Good luck!
This is the perfect use for a clear vessel sink. Any other sink would be a big visual roadblock in middle of this small bathroom. Love the wood against the blue/green!
Very nice. I love the colors of the walls and the tiles. Could you share the paint color? I'd like to see some art, or perhaps a self with candles/pretty bath supplies above the toilet. Also, I think the mirror would be enhanced by a wood frame, the same color as the counter.
hello and thanks for all the positive comments and feedback. I have always been a gazer unto the great ApartmentTherapy website but this is my first attempt at participating. Okay let me go through your questions one by one.
-yes the storage bench is from Hold Everything. Had a custom design all planned out but found this last minute and it fit in that nook perfectly and cost a lot less than my intial idea.
-the paint brand is Devine Paints and color is called Reflection. I personally love their paint for its creamy texture and finish but do recommend the sample packets for intial tests.
-for the comment about liking to see more in the room. Believe it or not there are some more striking details but because of picture amount limits I included my top favorite essentials. One wall does have artwork and a few more accessories. The room contains a fab overhead light tube and also a great sconce. I wish I could of included a close up of the floor which is white pebbles imbeded into grout.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
I have a great source on the tile if anyone wants it.
This room is very serene and balanced. This contest is about using color and this room shows color can be in the form of paint but also come from other materials like the tile and the wood. Kate has shown less is more by not having stuff clutter the space but rather having the materials stand out as the overall design. Very magazine worthy. Can I ask what type of budget you had for creating this bathroom?
Simply Stunning!
The color is so relaxing and soothing. The warmth of the wood and coolness of the glass are a winning combo. Great job by Kate of San Francisco!
Simple but elegant, this space is just divine. I love the color, I love the tile, and I just love the room as a whole. Fantastic work!
Absolutely beautiful - I like the clean and simple lines that highlight the warm texture and color of the wood and the
elegance of the glass bowl. I makes me feel like I'm floating
in warm tropical waters - wanting never to return. Bravo
good job.
Wow! What a beautiful piece you have created out of an often neglected space in ones home, and such a small space at that. I especially love the teak countertop. It makes such a great contrast to the aqua walls and tiles. Fantastic.
I love that tile, the bottles, the sink, what don't I love? Its beautiful!
Thanks for sharing...
Cooking Cajun
Really nice, cool and clean, yet not "cold". The tiles are beautiful, and the flowers and bottles go well.
To me this bathroom is a wonderful example of color and light. The lighting is a nice soft white that creates elegant shadows. Very artistic and has a look like it came straight out of a photographer's studio. Good use of complimentary colors from the aqua walls and golden color vanity top. Word.
I am aware that blue is a tranquil, trusting color, so lovely to have in a bathroom.. However, you have gone way beyond color therapy to create a peaceful, yet joyful environment - makes one want to spend more time there, reading a book or whatever!
I thought it was very colorful and bright. It made me feel like I would want a bathroom like that.
i had never quite understood the use of the word "restroom" until now. this quiet, azure space would promote a sense of calm and a "take a breath" pause that we all so often need. it's such a wonderful little room. i love the fluid lines of the sink and how all the materials,and especially the color reflect the seashore. very meditative and very creative. a sure winner!
Word spread about your bathroom via some design friends. I had to see it since I am redoing my bathroom too. The only problem is now I want to change it to look like yours! I am an individual afraid of color but this is a room that shows me how color can be a wonderful accent to a room and not be overbearing. If you don't mind I love to know your tile source. They call this Apartment Therapy and for good reason because today became my breakthrough moment when I dealt with the fact that color does not need to equal fear! Thank you.
Okay, out of all the entries thus far there are few that are as well rounded and complete as this space is. This is a space in which the elements flow together and create a harmony of color. The design is fresh and modern yet also timeless. It would make me feel like I was at a spa. I hope you win!!!!
Again, I thank everyone for the outpour of support and praise. I was hesitant about sending in such a small space but in the end my instincts told me to go for it and I am glad I listened. Okay let me answer the new questions...
The two different types of tile I used are actually meant to be used for swimming pools. I used the aqua marine mosaic tiles you see in addtion to a randomized white pebble style for the floor. So why use pool tile over standard showroom tile you ask? Pool tile is very inexpensive since it is mostly purchased in large orders. My pool tile was under $4 a square foot and had I chosen say a brand name like Bisazza mosaic tile I would be looking at $10 on up a square foot. I went with a company called Noble Tile out of Arizona. They can send you samples of the tile.
Sorry I forgot to answer the second question about my budget for this project. Budget was a big concern since we already spent so much buying our first house. I relied on my skills I use everyday for work since I have a non-profit design business that aims to provide good form and function to low income living spaces for seniors and the disabled. All in all to purchase and install everything you see in these photos came to about $1500. My top ways to cut costs are
-bribe friends and family to help you
-find the direct source of a material. Avoid showroom purchases. Get the name of the product and call the company yourselves to see about ordering directly from them.
-If you know exactly what you want or need google it. This is how I got my glass sink which was originally $1500 for $195.00. It came from some building material closeout website.
Hope this helps-kate
Great Job Kate! I love the stricking tiles.
Is there some rule in this contest against seasoned professionals from enterng? Whoever this Kate person is she should clearly be working professionally, as her work has the master strokes and polished touch of a brilliant designer. It's true, as has been noted above, that the inspired mix of wood, title and glass, together with the gorgeous aqua marine shades and pebble tile floor are enough to transport any vistor to this room to a little floating halcyon corner of some blissfully blue Carribean paradise. The emotional effect is so tranquil and soothing, the play of light on glass and tile so harmonious. This is an example of the strategic use of color done pitch perfect to exhilarating effect, it is daring and inspired, but more importantly, it absolutely works.
What has not been noted above and which deserves mention here are Kate's right-on comments concerning "why I use color", "color tips" and "color resources," descriptions of which are required by contest rules and are factors in selecting a winner. "Color is expression. It provides meaning without words." This is as close to a philosophy of art as it gets folks, and it's no surprise the work here is nothing short of artistic. Kate's color tips are orginal and inspired, and can actually teach others useful information, and her clever and shrewd resourcefullness in color resources is impressive as hell.
Kate - I'm not redoing my bathroom. I'm redoing my whole 5-room country cottage I use in summer at the Russian River. How do I contact you to discuss your rates?
Do you love this? I love this. Pretending there's any real contest here. Pretending there's an element of suspense anticipating the winner. It's almost cruel. Letting all these would be wanna be hope they'll be designers send in their entries and letting them hope.... when I think it's fairly clear to anyone not in total denial, that we already have a winner people, and it's.....yeah big surprise... Kate's Oasis Of Color And Light.
O.k. guys at Apartment Therapy, give it up, let these other well-intentioned entries and admirable attempts at color design off the hook and out of their misery. Graciously thank them all, but politely and compassionately see them to the door. And then, do the right thing and give the girl her prize. I mean...HELLO?...the cool breeze beauty of this room, the alluring aqua palette calmly accented in teak and coral white, ocean oasis masquerading as bathroom, the depth of understanding of how color translates to emotion, the knowing use of color to enhance spatial relationships, all this reflected in a take-no-prisoners drop-dead gorgeous design of impeccable taste, and sophisticated beauty.
The gig's up guys. This is the real deal. So face facts. And then pack your things up, ok? But take heart, you can learn something here, that's the good news. And better luck next year.
Congratulations KATE!!!!
My background is in architecture, and I worked for many years as a civil engineer, so I see this room using the proper funtion-space relationship. Kate has gotten the maximum use of free space while incorporating the necessary elements that a bathroon needs. The wonderful minimalist design is a avantgarde trend in the style of contemporary Scandanavian and Italian desingers. Finally, but not the least, a very smart color chosen based on the room's function.
This room is beautiful, tranquil, unexpected, peaceful, and elegant. I love the colors and serenity of this room.
Ingenious use of color and simple elements to make a small space very special.
What a great bathroom--I love the colors and the design and especially the budget! Kate was so creative with her use of color and texture. I got a lot of terrific ideas from this design. Thanks Kate!
Excellent use of space and color. The room looks great with excellent choice of color for California design.
I love the tiles and the way the light bounces off of them creating more light.
Max. Dude, bring it down a notch. Based on your comments, you remind me of the guy my friends and I all run from at parties... Yes, there is no denying that room is beautifully designed, but is that any reason to denigrate the other entries? Tsk tsk. Such big talk from an anonymous poster.
Okay, when I logged in today to check my entry I was surprised by some of the stronger comments. Although I appreciate the continued support, I want to make it known that I believe design is unique to each individual therefore deserves respect.
Kate. My comment wasn't directed at you! ;)
Actually, I'm rather fun at parties.
My comments were made in the spirt of hyperbole, and high drama, which I'm fond of, and I thought, were offered with an ounce of humor. I regret any denigration implied; this site is awesome and so is everyone who submitted entries, everyone who had the talent to create, and the courage to dream. I applaud Apartmenttherapy.com and all these participants.
I was just bowled over by the artistry and sheer strength, in comparison to the others, of this particular design.
Enrique,
Oh I know your comments weren't directed at me. I just wanted to put my opinion out there too. BTW, I love your room!
And the perfectly earthy, latte-ish color on the walls OUTSIDE the powder room...? It's exactly the color I've been looking for for my living room...unless my monitor is deceiving me...?
i still think this beautiful little gem of a bathroom deserves to win 1st. place. to get as much color and feeling into a small space as kate has takes a special artist. my hats off to all the contestants, but my choice is made and i think it's the best one. annie
Simply stunning!
Agreed that this bathroom is a gem. Can you tell your resources for the sink counter? it's gorgeous. thank you.
i'm in high school but when i get done i want to go to college and be a desinger and i really like your work is there any tips you can give me on what college to go to...and some tips on reduing my bedroomk....
thank you
Samantha Davis =)
I did not know that people were still making posts despite the contest being long over. I am sorry not to respond. I was just told this today and really appreciate the continued commentary. To answer Sam's question first, as far as a college, I might not be the best person to ask because I did not go to school to be an interior designer. I went to school and majored in psychology. I just started my business out of doing my own apartments, and now homes, and from there did family and friends homes, and then their family and friends homes, and so on.I just did not realize what a love of design I had in me. So your passion for interior design will carry you farther than your the choice to go to desing school or not. Anyways, these days, I come across a lot of interior desingers who did not go to design school and are very gifted. Schooling is a great thing though and I would focus on choosing a school that feels right to you rather than a focus on fancy reputation. Looking back on my childhood and teenagehood there were a lot of clues to what my future career might be. For example, as a child I would draw floorplans of a house and draw in furniture, plants, and rugs ect. As a teenager, I would constantly rearrange my room around and beg my parents for a new bedspread or rug rather than a new CD or something more of the teenage norm. For your bedroom, I would beg your parents to let you paint it the color of your choosing if you have not already done so and then rearrange things(even borrow or trade out stuff in your room for other furniture in the house. And if you want a more grown up vibe, take down your traditional teenage posters and such and get some nice picture frames and blow up images of clippings, photos, from things you own or out of magazines of either something graphic like words that have special meanings to you, artwork, wrapping paper, you name it and put a personal spin on it, and whalaa you now have an original "Sam" art piece.
Next question-To Yap-the sink counter was a piece of teak wood that was cut from a template and finished and lacquered and held up by a couple matching, also custom made, teak wood brackets. Any contractor can do it but I used a handyman who had woodworking skills and this saved a lot of money on the labor.
Another money saver= draw your own design, pick out the materials like the wood, and then the contractor or handyman doesn't charge you for the hours it would of taken him to go to the store for you and then pick out the stuff. Anyways, this ensures you get exactly the right piece of wood with a grain that looks nice.
As for future questions-please ask away and Ill check back more often to reply.