Evolution of the Bathroom
The bathroom, often an afterthought in many homes, Rissay has taken liberties
to transform into the ultimate home spa nearly lifted from the blueprints such
as that of a luxury hotel or resort. Of all the rooms in the home, the bathroom
has undergone the most changes in recent decades. What once consisted of
just a sink, toilet and tub in the 1950’s, to separate shower stalls and makeup
vanities in the 1980’s, double sinks, larger rooms, and jetted tubs in the 1990’s
has transcended into the "home spa" today. A convenient retreat that offers the
luxury of relaxation, solitude, privacy and pampering is sought by many of
Rissay’s clients to rehabilitate from their modern rapid-paced lifestyles.
A harmonious marriage of form and function, Rissay elevates the showering
experience with approachable, intuitive technology while keeping a sleek, low
profile, intelligent design that will compliment any décor. Using only the most
superlative fixtures, hardware, coverings among other materials Rissay fuses
them together seamlessly with precision and clean lines that can only be
accomplished with the finest craftsmanship.
to transform into the ultimate home spa nearly lifted from the blueprints such
as that of a luxury hotel or resort. Of all the rooms in the home, the bathroom
has undergone the most changes in recent decades. What once consisted of
just a sink, toilet and tub in the 1950’s, to separate shower stalls and makeup
vanities in the 1980’s, double sinks, larger rooms, and jetted tubs in the 1990’s
has transcended into the "home spa" today. A convenient retreat that offers the
luxury of relaxation, solitude, privacy and pampering is sought by many of
Rissay’s clients to rehabilitate from their modern rapid-paced lifestyles.
A harmonious marriage of form and function, Rissay elevates the showering
experience with approachable, intuitive technology while keeping a sleek, low
profile, intelligent design that will compliment any décor. Using only the most
superlative fixtures, hardware, coverings among other materials Rissay fuses
them together seamlessly with precision and clean lines that can only be
accomplished with the finest craftsmanship.
"From Blah to Spa"
Your home is an extension of you. Just like the exterior, the interior communicates as much,
if not more about your taste while dropping clues without saying a word that introduce guests
to the real you. Unfortunately, the second floor guest bathroom was telling a story of
somebody else’s life, because it certainly was not the stylish Mrs. Roychowdhury’s.
The Roychowdhury’s second floor guest bathroom was outdated, cramped and anything but
luxurious. Being that they often had a house full of visitors from near and far, the ability to
accommodate became increasingly more important. Mrs. Roychowdhury wanted to hint her
great, transitional taste in conjunction with offering her guests a hotel style spa.
if not more about your taste while dropping clues without saying a word that introduce guests
to the real you. Unfortunately, the second floor guest bathroom was telling a story of
somebody else’s life, because it certainly was not the stylish Mrs. Roychowdhury’s.
The Roychowdhury’s second floor guest bathroom was outdated, cramped and anything but
luxurious. Being that they often had a house full of visitors from near and far, the ability to
accommodate became increasingly more important. Mrs. Roychowdhury wanted to hint her
great, transitional taste in conjunction with offering her guests a hotel style spa.
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design Challenges
The Roychowdhury’s new guest spa bathroom brought European standards to the States.
With it’s hand held bidet, towel warmers, digitally interfaced custom shower settings, and
sculptured fixtures, upon arrival, EVERY visitor felt as though they were an honored guest.
Tight parameters gave Rissay anticipated challenges, especially when dealing with
disorderly ductwork and oblique ceilings. Only in a matter of weeks the once cramped
quarters morphed into a full-blown personal spa, resembling only that of a Waterworks
showroom. The perfect place for a head to toe finishing! (Just ask Mrs. Roychowdhury to see
“the menu”).
With it’s hand held bidet, towel warmers, digitally interfaced custom shower settings, and
sculptured fixtures, upon arrival, EVERY visitor felt as though they were an honored guest.
Tight parameters gave Rissay anticipated challenges, especially when dealing with
disorderly ductwork and oblique ceilings. Only in a matter of weeks the once cramped
quarters morphed into a full-blown personal spa, resembling only that of a Waterworks
showroom. The perfect place for a head to toe finishing! (Just ask Mrs. Roychowdhury to see
“the menu”).
design Solutions
| Roychowdhury Residence, Society Hill, Philadelphia |
| Zeitzer Residence, Society Hill, Philadelphia |
| Auritt Residence, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania |
- Cramped Quarters
- Full bathroom disguised as a powder room
- Coloring book of cornerbead
- Dated design
- An unlikely spa
- Slanty ceilings
- Finite floor space
- Messy mechanical
- What storage?
| Roychowdhury Residence, Society Hill, Philadelphia |
"Rissay elevates the showering experience
with approachable, intuitive technology while
keeping a sleek, low profile, intelligent design
that will compliment any décor"
with approachable, intuitive technology while
keeping a sleek, low profile, intelligent design
that will compliment any décor"
"Room to Grow"
Walking into the Auritt bathroom was like being stuck in a time warp. The color schemes and
dizzy tile patterns screamed the worst of the 1940’s and storage space was provided by
Walmart in the form of a plastic drawer storage container. Fixtures and hardware begged for
updating and a not quite luxurious tub was outed for being an eye sore not only for its
outdated style and fixtures but the tacky shower curtain it needed which closed in the already
pint sized bathroom creating a better door than window. There was nothing in this bathroom
that reflected its young owner, nor did it go in the direction of a mainline house undergoing a
modernization process.
dizzy tile patterns screamed the worst of the 1940’s and storage space was provided by
Walmart in the form of a plastic drawer storage container. Fixtures and hardware begged for
updating and a not quite luxurious tub was outed for being an eye sore not only for its
outdated style and fixtures but the tacky shower curtain it needed which closed in the already
pint sized bathroom creating a better door than window. There was nothing in this bathroom
that reflected its young owner, nor did it go in the direction of a mainline house undergoing a
modernization process.
design Challenges
Although the new master bathroom still suggested the same traditional mood, all of the dark,
existing cabinetry was removed and upgraded to a handsome, honey colored raised panel
highlighting a more deserving focal point, the exposed brick walls. Classic Baldwin style
hardware accented the cabinets while a designer faucet adorned the sleek, console lavatory.
Topping things off, Rissay wrapped designer tile around the floor and walls tying the
bathroom into the most enticing bow. for only our Queen of Hearts to unravel.
existing cabinetry was removed and upgraded to a handsome, honey colored raised panel
highlighting a more deserving focal point, the exposed brick walls. Classic Baldwin style
hardware accented the cabinets while a designer faucet adorned the sleek, console lavatory.
Topping things off, Rissay wrapped designer tile around the floor and walls tying the
bathroom into the most enticing bow. for only our Queen of Hearts to unravel.
design Solutions
- Dizzy and dated tile patterns
- Colors only belonging together in a
crayon box - Circa 1940
- Fixtures needed a fixing
- Storage brought to you by Walmart
- More of aJack than a Jill
| before pictures |
| before pictures |
| after pictures |
| after pictures |
| before pictures |
| after pictures |
| after pictures |
Rissay found creative ways to keep things feminine and neutral at the same time. By
choosing a lighter color palate and softening edges the room hinted femininity but was not
committed to it in the long term. This little Bryn Mawr, Jack and Jill bathroom was magnified
not only with Rissay’s lighter color palate but smart design decisions to replace a tired tub
with a correra marble shower containing built-in seating and glass doors that opened the
room in addition to diagonally placing 12 x 12 marble flooring tiles to give a greater illusion of
depth. Plastic tubs no longer made their appearance when a perfectly wide brimmed
medicine cabinet maximized storage in the most stylish way while adding feminine
curvature.
The most special part of our Auritt makeover project was the mother daughter bonding
opportunities proposed during the initial designing and finishing touch stages. Appealing to
both ages the bathroom was a fun, interactive design (and decorating) process. Our ladies
were given good reason to spend quality time together as well as an excuse for shopping to
find perfect accents and custom window treatments. Now if only we could keep mom from
getting confused as to which master bathroom is hers.
choosing a lighter color palate and softening edges the room hinted femininity but was not
committed to it in the long term. This little Bryn Mawr, Jack and Jill bathroom was magnified
not only with Rissay’s lighter color palate but smart design decisions to replace a tired tub
with a correra marble shower containing built-in seating and glass doors that opened the
room in addition to diagonally placing 12 x 12 marble flooring tiles to give a greater illusion of
depth. Plastic tubs no longer made their appearance when a perfectly wide brimmed
medicine cabinet maximized storage in the most stylish way while adding feminine
curvature.
The most special part of our Auritt makeover project was the mother daughter bonding
opportunities proposed during the initial designing and finishing touch stages. Appealing to
both ages the bathroom was a fun, interactive design (and decorating) process. Our ladies
were given good reason to spend quality time together as well as an excuse for shopping to
find perfect accents and custom window treatments. Now if only we could keep mom from
getting confused as to which master bathroom is hers.
design Solutions
"From Bleak to Beautiful"
Many will argue that in order to be queen of the castle you must have a suitable throne. By
throne we mean the entire master bathroom. This is where one starts and ends their day in
style and without this stylish launching pad, we at Rissay feel that some are more prone to
wreaking havoc on their subjects. That is why we offer these custom quarters fit for a Queen.
The Zietzers wanted a master bathroom that calmed and soothed while exhibiting their
traditional style with just the right dash of elegance. Unfortunately Rissay wasn’t given too
much to work with upon entering the Zietzer’s master bathroom, encountering institutional
white tile works, a mix-matched, brunette, colonial vanity and one characterless, dismal
bathtub. The Bathroom’s starkness in color robbed the architectural details of the spotlight
by putting the tired vanity on display. It was time for Rissay to lend this bleak bathroom a little
warmth.
throne we mean the entire master bathroom. This is where one starts and ends their day in
style and without this stylish launching pad, we at Rissay feel that some are more prone to
wreaking havoc on their subjects. That is why we offer these custom quarters fit for a Queen.
The Zietzers wanted a master bathroom that calmed and soothed while exhibiting their
traditional style with just the right dash of elegance. Unfortunately Rissay wasn’t given too
much to work with upon entering the Zietzer’s master bathroom, encountering institutional
white tile works, a mix-matched, brunette, colonial vanity and one characterless, dismal
bathtub. The Bathroom’s starkness in color robbed the architectural details of the spotlight
by putting the tired vanity on display. It was time for Rissay to lend this bleak bathroom a little
warmth.
design Challenges
- A stark setting
- Seriously seasoned vanity
- Charm deficient
- An unsuitable throne
- Institutional white tile
Not a Girl, not yet a woman, we apologize for our Britney Spears introduction but little Miss Auritt was in that awkward “tween” stage of her life where Peptal
Bismal pink bathroom walls adorned with rhine stones would have been great, but not for too long. Also, being that the bathroom was adjoined to a den it
needed to reflect a somewhat neutral tone to prevent any Jacks (as well as our “Jill” in a couple years) from receiving a heavy dose of Lisa Frank if the
bathroom was specifically designed for a young girl.
Bismal pink bathroom walls adorned with rhine stones would have been great, but not for too long. Also, being that the bathroom was adjoined to a den it
needed to reflect a somewhat neutral tone to prevent any Jacks (as well as our “Jill” in a couple years) from receiving a heavy dose of Lisa Frank if the
bathroom was specifically designed for a young girl.
While going from “Blah to Spa” on the second floor bathroom in the Roychowdhury
household , our supermom/style queen approached Rissay again about working on a heavily
used but terribly inferior powder room in need of a serious swap. Luckily the bathroom only
needed to be stirred, not shaken and had already undergone the design process from a
talented woman that could serve up more than just a great martini.
Since the powder room was in a high traffic area it also commanded a quicker fix so Rissay
orchestrated the trading and installations after Mrs. Roychowdhury passed the baton. Clunky
cabinetry was updated to a sleek Waterworks washstand with a hammered nickel sink while
Rissay played musical lighting fixtures exchanging two single sconces for one double
sconce above the mirror. An eye sore no more because first impressions are everything.
household , our supermom/style queen approached Rissay again about working on a heavily
used but terribly inferior powder room in need of a serious swap. Luckily the bathroom only
needed to be stirred, not shaken and had already undergone the design process from a
talented woman that could serve up more than just a great martini.
Since the powder room was in a high traffic area it also commanded a quicker fix so Rissay
orchestrated the trading and installations after Mrs. Roychowdhury passed the baton. Clunky
cabinetry was updated to a sleek Waterworks washstand with a hammered nickel sink while
Rissay played musical lighting fixtures exchanging two single sconces for one double
sconce above the mirror. An eye sore no more because first impressions are everything.
White Residence,
Society Hill, Philadelphia
Society Hill, Philadelphia
Roychowdhury Residence,
Society Hill, Philadelphia
Society Hill, Philadelphia
Shor Residence,
Society Hill, Philadelphia
Society Hill, Philadelphia
Levitt Residence, Art Museum, Philadelphia
Moorhead Residence,
Society Hill, Philadelphia
Society Hill, Philadelphia
Conner Residence,
Manayunk, Philadelphia
Manayunk, Philadelphia
"Stirred not Shaken"