At Coverings 2024, we honored 21 outstanding projects that demonstrated spectacular craftsmanship and creativity in the use of tile and stone. This week we’re spotlighting the 2024 CID Award winner for Residential Stone Design.
Project: Riverside Rouge
Designer: Empire Kitchen & Bath
Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
The primary objective of this project was revitalizing a large riverside home, devastated by the 2013 Calgary flood, setting the stage for a transformative project marked by bold design and meticulous attention to detail. The client’s desire for a modern reinterpretation with a nod to their previous red kitchen guided the overarching design philosophy, resulting in a contemporary home infused with natural light, vaulted ceilings, and high-gloss elements.
The kitchen, a focal point of the redesign, featured tall high-gloss cabinetry in a striking red finish, complemented by monochromatic white walls and black accents. Achieving consistent color across numerous cabinets demanded continuous communication with the manufacturer, Downsview Kitchens, to ensure uniformity in various lighting conditions.
In the powder room, the challenge lay in managing the design within a small footprint while matching the selections to the client’s taste. The solution involved designing a compact yet impactful space by incorporating a floating vanity with toe-kick lighting, a glossy black tile backsplash for depth, and strategically placed lighting elements. To optimize space, a wall-mounted toilet was considered, but a prominent existing beam required adjustments, showcasing the need for creative problem-solving within the constraints of the existing structure.
Achieving perfect alignment between interconnected spaces involved meticulous drawings and symmetry considerations. The use of recessed puck lighting and a custom floating vanity in the powder room maximized floor space and contributed to the perception of a more open environment.
Do you have a recently completed project that features innovative design and installation of tile & stone? Consider entering it into the 2025 CID Awards – the portal opens this fall!