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When you step into the airy bathroom of Infinity Custom Homes’ Napa model in Mars, you can almost feel a soft ocean breeze drifting in from the window and hear gentle ocean waves in the distance.

The theme transports you away from Pittsburgh to a coastal getaway — and that’s exactly the point.

Infinity Custom Homes designer Jill Pearsall says she prioritized color and texture to capture the bathroom’s beachy vibes, selecting off-white floor tile to emulate sand and using a warmer wood tone to echo a relaxing day spent at the sea.

The staples used to create the space include “warm greige tones, creamy off-whites, and of course, beautiful blues, layered with jute, rattan and organic elements,” she says.

The combination was a hit with this year’s Best of Design judges, who named it their Best New Bathroom for 2024. Admiring the contrast between the natural wood tones of the vanity and the bright blue walls, judges say the inviting color palette provides a very welcome change to the gray interiors and exteriors they’ve grown accustomed to seeing in many homes.

“I think it’s really warm and inviting,” says judge Katie Savakis, a project designer with Vocon in Cleveland. “I hate going into a cold bathroom.”

As a veteran designer for Infinity who is no stranger to tackling larger bathrooms, Pearsall says she used a single tile line to keep the space cohesive and provide flow to the room. The blossomed-patterned tile along the shower and bathtub wall adds a whimsical touch.

“I fell in love with this Marazzi tile the moment I saw it,” Pearsall says. “[It adds] a playful talking point to this tranquil space.”

The judges and Pearsall agreed the standout tile choices bring the room together.

“Choosing one or two moments to add a ‘pop’ adds interest and elevates the space to keep it on trend without sacrificing timeless luxury,” Pearsall adds.

Read more Best of Design Winners 2024.

VENDORS

Architectural Design: Paul Eichler

Interior Design: Jill Pearsall

General Contractor: Infinity Custom Homes

Plumbing Ferguson: Supply, Kohler

Cabinetry & Hardware: ProSource of Pittsburgh

Appliances: Don’s Appliances 

Fixtures: Ferguson / build 

Lighting: Ferguson / build (Maxim — Bauhaus in this bathroom) 

Flooring: Paracca 

Countertops: Armina (Hanstone — Tofino in this bathroom) 

Windows and Doors: 84 Lumber 

Furnishings: Restoration Hardware / Pottery Barn / Wayfair

Tile: Paracca (Marazzi)