More Bio-Glass Details

Where the mosaic tile, Bio-Glass and Dry-Wall all meet has the potential to be messy, because we would like a reveal between the bottom of the tile and the counter top to accentuate the special quality of the Bio-Glass. The details below show the progression of the detailing from July to now (1 day before it will be installed.) What we are looking for is a clean machined line between to mosaic tile and the ethereal glass.

Reference File for detail location:

07.18.1020: 2 options
07.28.2010
10.19.2010:
Final:










*The sink faucet selected at the beginning of the project is no longer available, so we have chosen a new one by Vigo Industries. BTW: This site has a great selection of sexy modern faucets

Bio-Glass Details

The Bio-Glass is not self-supporting as we had hoped and requires a substrate to support the vessel sink. We found information online that recommends painting the substrate with Sherwin Williams' color SW6448 - "Greening" in order to maintain the ambient Jade color of the translucent Bio-Glass. Deveraux at Envision Built has designed a minimal shelf for the substrate, with a beam that runs the length of the front edge of the counter top. The shelf/beam will end flush with the vanities side walls and the Bio-Glass will extend 3" past that edge to reduce the visual impact of the supporting shelf. See detail below:
Reference file for detail location:

Final Design!

We have decided to go with the second scheme. We'll be working with EvisionBuilt, a contracting group out of Fuquay-Varina who specialize in renovations and additions.
Final Drawings:

Out for Bids

We're getting bid on two designs. First, we're submitting this more conservative design:

Custom Cabinet Design

3 Schemes

My clients are very keen on incorporating a vessel sink into the project and have found their ideal sink, faucet, and toilet already.

Vessel sink in white by Fairmont Designs - Wall-mount vessel filler by Tebisa - Elongated Toilet by Kohler

Here are the proposed schemes for the renovation:

Scheme 1:
Based on a discussion with the owners, I created this plan and these elevations. Here we would leave the existing tub, tile and toilet A new minimalist vanity with the vessel sink that they have already chosen would be installed and a linen closet would be built into the corner.



Scheme 1-alternate:
I am suggesting moving the toilet and using a custom cabinet under the sink for storage to eliminate the need for additional furniture in the already cramp space.



Scheme 2:
One of my clients sent me this image with a note attached that read, "Really, I just want this."
My response is a new scheme that rearranges the entire plan, making the vanity separate from the other actives in the room.

My clients and I visited a two local showrooms, CommonGround and CaraGreen, that focus on sustainable interior building products. Our first stop was CaraGreen in Carrboro. They have a great selection of tile, counter tops, and composite plywood. We were inspired by a product called BioGlass, that is comprised of 100% recycled glass and is 100% recyclable. It comes in several colors, but our favorite is the Oriental Jade. It's slight translucent and glows when light hits it.

Barbara at CaraGreen, also, introduced us to a counter top product called Meld that is similar to CaesarStone and IceStone. The bonus to Meld is that it is manufactured in Raleigh, which would cut down on embodied energy, construction lead-times, and shipping cost. We're keeping in mind for the pending kitchen renovation.

It seems that the problem with the current arrangement of the bath room is the vanity and cabinets. The space beside the toilet is sort of wasted. Ideally, it would be used as storage, but accessing it is a little awkward. In this existing floor plan you can see where the space in the corner is wasted. Right now, it is occupied by a counter with nothing under it and a dated corner wall cabinet.

New Project

Project: Bathroom Renovation

Location: Durham, NC USA
Size: 60 sqft
Budget: $12,000

Project Narrative: Just before moving into a recently purchased home, the new owners find themselves faced with quite a bit of water damage due to an improperly installed dishwasher. Most of the damage was in the 1st floor bath that shares a wall with the kitchen. We decide to take advantage of these circumstances to update the bathroom.