Form and Function

Carnemark Design + Build, Bethesda, Md.

In a nutshell:  The couple’s bathroom felt cramped and the bedroom was too large. They also wanted a modern master suite with a Scandinavian-inspired aesthetic, a larger shower, and a spa bath.  

Solutions: This is minimalist design at its best. The space is contemporary, yet warm; spare, yet filled with a wealth of carefully planned details that make the room feel serene and inviting.

The heated tile floors are both practical and visually appealing, adding a casual sensibility that’s enhanced by the textured doors of the pine cabinets from SieMatic, a German manufacturer. Above the sink are Robern Uplift Cabinets, which open vertically to expose a sleek, mirrored interior. The cabinets also feature integrated electricity, allowing for easy placement and charging of smartphones and other devices. 

“The client enjoys technology and engineering,” says Jonas company owner. “Little things like those mirrors provide a particular feeling in the morning. You just smile, and you’re like, ‘Oh, I love this.’ We enjoy giving people those interactions.”  

In keeping with the theme of Scandinavian-aesthetic-meets-cutting-edge products, Carnemark placed a Bang & Olufsen television above the tub. The TV is hung by stainless steel cables for a clean look and also to angle it downward for easy viewing during a soak. 

The tub is Kohler’s Tea-for-Two, a deep, cast-iron model that Carnemark selected because it’s large enough to easily fit two people and has a “nice form that plays with the grid we’ve created around those double-hung windows,” he says. A heated towel rack is both practical and adds a final touch of visual interest.

See the full list of winning entries here.