Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/133552
A door barely clearing the sink on its inward swing. A guest bumping a head on an over-the-toilet cabinet. These aren't exactly elements of successful feng shui design. The owners of this cramped, dimly lit powder room had two priorities when they contacted the team at Not Just Kitchens (NJK) for help: They needed to stay in the confines of the current bathroom footprint, and the design focus must be on a green glass Japanese plate, cherished but without a rightful display in their home. To create a feeling of more space and give the door more clearance, NJK created an angled vanity and twisted the toilet 90 degrees. The new vanity, says designer Michelle Schildgen, also added sought-after counter space and storage. With the countertop suspended from the wall, the cabinet floats above the floor, JUNE HOME EVENTS Need to spruce up your gardens or fix up your home? Find inspiration at these classes and tours A PEACEFUL OASIS leaving the room as open and airy as possible. And the horizontal grain of the Verde Bamboo granite, small greenish brown glass tiles and the clean, minimalist lines of the vanity and sconces, draw the eye to the focal point of the room: the round Japanese plate now housed in a shadow box and backlit with an LED light strip. The asymmetry of the sink and the natural Japanese plaster composed of sand and bamboo grass, tie in distinct Japanese elements and turn this utilitarian bathroom into a peaceful and organic oasis. "The homeowners were ecstatic," says Schildgen. "They now call this room their 'jewel box.'" REMODELED HOMES TOUR June 2 | 9:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Madison area homeowners who recently completed kitchen, bathroom and other renovations with National Association of the Remodeling Industry contractors open their doors to curious neighbors. Featured homes are located downtown and on the west side of Madison. Tickets: $10 per couple. narimadison.org PARADE OF HOMES June 8-23 | Mon.-Fri. 3-7 p.m., Sat.-Sun. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. The annual new-build showcase put on by Madison Area Builder's Association is in its 63rd inspiring year. Featured homes are in DeForest, Verona and Waunakee developments. Tickets: $12 for adults, $6 for children and seniors. maba.org UW ARBORETUM NATIVE PLANT GARDEN TOUR: WHAT'S BLOOMING? June 19 | 7:00-8:30 p.m. Learn all about our state's native bloomers on this free informative tour through the beautiful UW Arboretum. Discover a vast array of flowering trees, scrubs and plants that originated right here in Wisconsin. uwarboretum.org OLBRICH BOTANICAL GARDENS All summer | Various days and times Olbrich Botanical Gardens offers a bounty of tours, workshops and classes focused on plants and gardening for adults and children. Stroll 16 acres of specialty and display gardens, visit the tropics in the glass dome—and don't miss the outdoor summer concerts in June and July. olbrich.org June 2013 bravamagazine.com 47