An elegant Ottawa ensuite with a different take on the traditional his-and-hers theme is Ottawa’s only winner at the 2023 national housing awards.
The renovation by Gemstone Corporation took home the trophy for best bathroom renovation at the Canadian Home Builders’ Association’s National Awards for Housing Excellence in Banff, Alta. The winning bathroom was one of three Gemstone finalist submissions for the same home, the others being whole-home renovation and basement makeover finalists.
The overall renovation was a trophy winner at last fall’s Housing Design Awards in Ottawa.
“We are incredibly honoured to be the only (winning) builder in Ottawa,” says Gemstone president Josh Zaret about his company’s showing at the 2023 national housing awards. “To be recognized at the national level is a testament to the work we are doing, the team we have built, the processes we have in place and the trust the clients have put in us.”
Before and after
The client’s existing five-piece ensuite and walk-in closet, while extensive, lacked both storage and functionality, and the homeowners wanted a new space that would cater to their desires for individual Zen-like retreats while maintaining a sense of connection. The key challenge for Gemstone was to do this without enlarging the footprint.
The solution: A his/hers – yin/yang design that offered both similarity and duality. The new space includes a walk-through his-and-her shower, separate sink and vanity areas, a make-up table and his-and-her dressing rooms.
Stained oak cabinetry with a floating vanity and under-cabinet lighting defines his space while hers mirrors his but in shades of white. Large glazing with views of the Ottawa River floods her room with natural light while a transom window allows the light into his side as well. A ceiling-hung LED mirror ensures excellent dressing light for her, and the high-tech ensuite features dual whole-body showers, automated toilets, heated floors and wall-mounted televisions in each space for staying current with the news and stock market action.
“The materials selected are carefully curated to reflect the opposites, yin and yang per se, of the clients’ desires,” says Zaret. “His bathroom is dark, hers is light. And they meet in the middle with the stunning shower.”
This year’s CHBA awards had nearly 800 entries in 48 categories, including new homes, renovations, community development and residential marketing.
The other Ottawa-area finalists for the 2023 national housing awards were Lagois-Design-Build-Renovate, Amsted Design-Build, Minto Communities with Irpinia Kitchens Ottawa and Tanya Collins Design Inc., and Park View Homes.
Full list of winners here.
