Kitchen & Bath Business January/February 2024 - 67

OVERCOMING PRODUCT SELECTION HURDLES
When it came to choosing products and materials
for her own bath, Weiss admitted it was
a benefit and a detriment. She knows what is
available, but she wanted to create a look for
less without taking away from the design. Weiss
originally chose more expensive medicine cabinets
but realized even those at a lower price
point were a great improvement from what she
had before. She was also able to reuse the tub -
albeit in a totally different design - the tub filler
and the toilet.
The designer admitted to leaning toward her
LEFT Weiss chose dark
flooring overall and in the
shower to ground the space
and provide the feeling of
expansion. The porcelain wall
and ceiling tile in the shower
provides contrast with its
warm and white tones. It is
also oversized to capture
the slab look with less of a
price tag.
tried-and-true brands for product selection. Part
of this was because she did not have the luxury
of time; during construction, she was using a
builder-basic secondary bath, which was also in
need of a renovation.
" I love the brands I selected and have had
great experiences with all of them in terms of
reliability, follow-through, longevity, availability
and quality, " said Weiss. " Yes, I was pressured
by time, but I was happy to choose what I sell
since I love these brands. I wouldn't sell them
otherwise. "
BUDGET WOES
Although Weiss knows the challenges of staying
on track during a project, she admitted she was
unable to stick to her original budget. Just like
those of some of her clients, hers was not realistic
for what she was looking to achieve. Because of
this, Weiss was able to better understand where
her clients are coming from when it comes to
deciding on a project budget and to empathize
with them when their first product choices are
not available.
" When some things don't work out - in my
case my original faucet selection - you have to be
able to roll with the punches, " said the designer.
" Sometimes there is no choice but to increase
the budget to make it work, and I did that in
this space. "
Because this was the second time Weiss had
renovated her own primary bath, she knew exactly
what she wanted and accomplished all her
goals.
" When I can avoid the 'could have,' 'should
have,' it means I have done my work, " she
added.
SOURCES: DESIGNER: Meredith Weiss, Merri Interiors Inc.; PHOTOGRAPHER: Nicole Larson Photography ● CEILING TREATMENT & VANITIES: Brighton Cabinets; COUNTERTOPS: LX Hausys;
FAUCETS, SHOWER DRAIN, SHOWER FIXTURES, SINKS, TUB & TUB FILLER: Kohler HARDWARE: Top Knobs; LIGHTING: dweLED & Possini Euro Design; MEDICINE CABINETS: Sophia;
TILE SUPPLIER: Long Island Tile Company
KBBONLINE.COM
67
BELOW As a freestanding
tub would not have filled out
the space adequately, the
designer updated the built-in
unit with a quartz surround
that looks like one large block
of concrete. The rectangular
vessel sinks provide a fresh,
clean look, and walnut vanities
add to the Asian inspiration
and natural look she wanted.
The lighting in the medicine
cabinets provides illumination
for makeup tasks.

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Kitchen & Bath Business January/February 2024

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