Bold & Beautiful

Dramatic accents add panache to two Englewood bathrooms

“In this bathroom, we went for the drama of the black and gold,” designer Cindy Dzurita says. Though the space is not large, the deep tone doesn’t overwhelm it thanks to the vertical dimensions. “It has a very high ceiling — 10 feet — so we were able to do that.”

Designer Cindy Dzurita knows how to make a big impression, even in a less-than-expansive room. “I like to make a large impact in a small space,” says Dzurita, owner of CD Interiors in Manalapan Township, New Jersey. That was certainly true when she outfitted these two Englewood, New Jersey, bathrooms during a whole-house redesign.

In the case of the striking powder room, Dzurita created an eye-catching look by covering three walls and the ceiling in deep black wallpaper. The color is not the only unusual thing about the wall covering; it’s embossed with a reptilian finish. “The texture makes it very luxurious,” Dzurita says. She tempered the dark walls and ceiling with light gray floor and wall tiles. “We decided to carry the mosaic stone floor tile up the vanity wall instead of using the same wall covering on all four walls. The tile and dark paper add interest without being too busy.”

The room is accessorized with an oversized pendant light, another bold move in a smaller space, but a strategy that worked with the 10-foot ceiling. “I like the way the large scale looks in this space,” Dzurita says. A custom vanity reiterates the black theme, adding linear interest with an X-design base.

The designer added interest to the guest suite bathroom as well while fulfilling her clients’ request for a spa-like atmosphere. “I love the tile in this bathroom,” she says. “It looks like wood but is actually easy-care porcelain.” The custom vanity features a solid top with one shelf below. “The guest bathroom didn’t need much storage,” Dzurita explains. The understated wood tones act as an ideal foil for the wallpaper, which prominently features the homeowners’ favorite color: green. “We used this awesome tropical print wall covering. I like the way it plays off the spa look of the shower. The homeowners loved the idea of the tropical print.”

Green and black wallpaper give a botanical boost that coordinates with the deep green of the adjoining guestroom.

Indeed, the homeowners were completely on board with both design concepts. “My client has a wonderful eye,” the designer notes. “I can suggest something out of the ordinary and she’s open to it.” Adding unusual and extraordinary touches has become a something of a hallmark for Dzurita, particularly in spaces like these. “I love a bathroom to be a little bit of a jewel,” she says. “I like to incorporate unique wall coverings to elevate a design, and going with the unexpected keeps my designs fresh and interesting. Guests are going to use these rooms. We want them to walk in and say ‘wow this is beautiful!’”