DESIGN IN HARMONY
SAN CLEMENTE CLASSIC REDUX 1928 Spanish Colonial Revival Bungalow - San Clemente, California
Kim Holt of Kim Hayden Holt Studio , Los Angeles, used the Geberit in-wall system to create harmony in a singer’s bathrooms.
The Challenge
“When my client and his wife walked through the door of their current home – although the structure was smaller than they would prefer – they knew it was the home for them,” says Kim Holt, an interior designer based in Los Angeles. “The location and original architectural details were exactly what they were looking for.” But Holt’s client Andrew McMahon, a popular singer, songwriter, and producer, needed to add some very specific features that the original structure just wouldn’t accommodate.
The home is nestled comfortably in the heart of historic San Clemente, California. Any improvements to the home’s façade had to maintain the 1920s Spanish Colonial look in order to comply with San Clemente’s strict historic preservation requirements. McMahon wanted every inch of the home’s 1000 square feet to be utilitarian. To meet her client’s need for additional space, Holt proposed a 600-square-foot addition in the rear, as well as conversion of the garage into a music studio. She also designed a covered outdoor living pavilion to be installed at the rear of the home.
“Space-saving storage that was both utilitarian and beautiful was a key issue in the home’s redesign, along with the client’s preference for a modern European look,” says Holt.
As part of the redesign, the second bathroom had to do double duty as a child’s main bathroom and a guest bathroom. It had to be visually inviting for guests as well as functional. Most challenging of all, in spite of being just over 40 square feet, the bathroom had to accommodate a sink, a tub with shower, a toilet, and plenty of storage.
“As both a graphic designer and an interior designer, I am drawn to the visual design of the Geberit actuator and the space-saving design of the Geberit in-wall system . They are functional, beautiful, and speak boldly or are subtly quiet depending on the design application you are looking to achieve,” says Holt.
The Solution
“A Geberit in-wall system’s modern European look was perfect for this application,” says Holt. “The homeowner loved the idea of a space-saving in-wall system but preferred a floor-mounted toilet instead of a wall-mounted toilet.
I chose the Sigma01 alpine white, dual-flush, water-saving actuator plate to complete the installation and to blend seamlessly with the white subway tile. The eye-catching circular design of the actuator plate complements the modern motif. Even my client’s daughter likes the way the actuator looks – just like water bubbles.”
The high contrast black-and-white, geometric tile flooring adds visual interest to the bathroom and a graphic “pop” to the space. High-gloss pool blue lacquer paint highlights the cabinetry and accentuates the modern appearance.
“My client,” says Holt, “loved the European look so much in the multi-functional child/guest bathroom we used the same Geberit in-wall system in the master suite bathroom, achieving the same streamlined look and reflecting the style and personality of my client’s modern design aesthetic.”
California has two new water restriction bills that reduce water consumption from 90 gallons per person in 2017 to 55 gallons per person and lower in the near future. The bills will require cities and water districts across the state to set permanent water conservation rules, even in non-drought years.
“The Geberit dual-flush system not only helps my client reduce water consumption as required in the bills but also lessens the environmental impact and increases their financial savings,” Holt says.
Design Firm: Kim Hayden Holt Studio
Interior Designer: Kim Hayden Holt, NKBA
Cover Photo: Erika Bierman Photography