coordinating the bath space

The primary bathroom in CAPSULE COLLECTION features Brizo finishings for the double sinks and standing tub. Photo Credit: Arturo Yepez.

World of Brizo sits down with PROjECT. principal + visionary, Aimee Wertepny, to discuss the fine art of defining an impactful bath space.

WOB: Tell us about your approach when you’re designing a bath space. How do you create your overall vision for the space, taking the client’s personality into account?

AW: At PROjECT., we approach bath spaces with as much thought and care as any other main living space — because it is a major living space! We consider the layout, the interior architecture, if natural light is a part of the equation, and how our clients prefer to experience their bath space so that we can customize every inch. And we always think about how they want to feel in the space – i.e. do we want to go moody and smokey for enveloping drama or bright and ethereal for energy and reflection. From there, we focus on the sparkle: the finishes, the lighting, and the fixtures. And of course texture is key for the natural and organic elements we love [stone counters and tiles, plaster, concrete, and decorative elements like a wooden stool floating next to a tub, for example, or flowy linen drapery].

Powder Room in MAGIC KINGDOM. Photo Credit: Arturo Yepez.

WOB: What factors do you consider to create a sense of harmony and coordination throughout the bath?

AW: Visual and experiential harmony in a bath go hand-in-hand. To achieve, there needs to be a tonality scale — the bleed. I always ask myself: ‘Where is the focal point?’ Is it artful lighting or statement plumbing fixtures? And, ‘Where does this room need to be quiet?’ At PROjECT., we’re always thinking in terms of complementary textures — i.e. plaster paired with sueded stone and the polish of a gray glass partition. The sweet spot is activating subtle contrast that’s still harmonious. Even our louder moves find balance because we’ll ground bold patterns in a tile or stone with quieter, more subtle elements like white sheer draperies or a matte white floating tub. 

WOB: How can coordinating products and finishes help create a cohesive, elevated feel in a bath space? 

AW: Every designer says this because it’s true: Cohesion is all about that subtle contrast in textures within a chosen tone. But you also want impact in the form of unexpected lighting or carefully curated art. Illumination should never be an afterthought for a bath. Oftentimes our lighting plans are the art; other times the lighting is part of how you experience the interior architecture of the space — where you draw the eye, what textures you illuminate — and all plays into an elevated feel. And consider an unexpected floor plan. People tend to think certain bath elements need to live in certain positions, but there’s no reason you can’t flip that script with, say, a sink that floats in the middle of the room or off-center temperature controls for the shower that can be reached right inside the door.

WOB: How do you mix different elements and create variety while still maintaining that sense of harmony?

AW: When it comes to the style mix, be that fashion or interior design, it’s about being fearless and confident. At PROjECT., we don’t do basic or safe. We’re not afraid of taking risks and flipping the script to create beautiful designs with variance and impact. Of course there is an artistry to it — the mixing, the matching and the editing — and you need to believe in your unique take. If we’re using fashion as an analogy, PROjECT. would be wearing a labelless skirt with a shredded hem, a structured leather cuff, big gold hoops, and a messy bun. I find value in going against the grain, and finding where the polish and the grit intersect. 

WOB: Brizo recently expanded its bath offerings to include decorative sink fittings and drains. Have you used the new products in any of your projects [or do you plan to] — and if so, can you speak a little about that?

AW: I’m absolutely loving that Brizo is filling this gap in the market. Seriously — where have you been all my life?! PROjECT. is all about seamless details, and matching sink fittings and drains to the bath fixtures is no exception. We use the Luxe Gold a lot, and it’s brilliant that Brizo can provide the matching components for a complete look. From p-traps and drains to toilet levers, the system is totally turnkey now. 

Primary Bathroom in CONVERSATION PIECE. Photo Credit: Arturo Yepez.

WOB: Can you tell us a little bit about attention to detail? Why is it important in product design, and how does it make a difference when you’re interacting with a faucet or a shower space?

AW: Attention to detail is everything when you are looking to elevate a bath space. Take for example the knurling on Brizo’s Litze faucet levers. I love that detail because clients both male and female respond to it. The Litze is such a chameleon. It’s modern and classic at the same time depending on how you position the bullet lever. It’s a style that can mix in whether your vibe is old fashioned or sleek and minimal. It’s like a racecar component that can flex to be bold or subtle. In the Luxe Gold, it really gets noticed. 

WOB: What about attention to detail when it comes to interior design? Why is it important? And what difference does it make when someone experiences the finished space?

AW: When it comes to interior design, the emotion is in the details. To make design matter, it has to evoke an emotional response; something we aim to achieve via a playful mix of varying elements — polished elements [sleek plumbing fixtures, for example], organic elements that are hunted and gathered [reclaimed wood that had a former life], artisan elements [a handwoven rug], and pieces that spark beloved memories [a piece of art from a radical artist that reminds our client of a special trip]. With good design, our spaces can feel empowering, comforting, and energizing, like a high five or a warm embrace. For me, the best details are hand-touched and unexpected, and oftentimes custom-made to ensure it’s something no one has seen before. 

WOB: Anything else we haven’t asked about that you want to add about creating a coordinated bath space?

AW: It’s important to be thoughtful about space planning out of the gate for form and function. The layout should be tailored to the client’s lifestyle and preferences. Yes to chic components — always — but also yes to custom vanities, concealed storage, a shaving station, a makeup station, a wet room outside of the shower, or whatever it may be that sets the client up for easy living and joy. Each ‘coordination,’ so to speak, should be unique to the client interaction. Make it personal. Make it feel good. Make it matter. Contrasting the mix of materiality is really important at PROjECT., too. For example, if we are going with a lot of Luxe Gold fixtures from Brizo, we’d bring in bronze in the lighting for variance. I like to play with finishes that work well with both light and dark so that I can create high contrasts. I dig contrast, and I like to keep it weird and unexpected.