Phylrich vanity faucet from PDI Kitchen, Bath & Lighting PHOTO BY GALINA JULIANA
Inspired by the bold and bright streets of Paris in the 1950s, Chris and Jenna Socci transformed their main-level powder room into something as inspired and fun as their outlook on life.
For interior designers, it can be an interesting task to design something for your own family’s everyday use, like a powder bathroom. For interior design husband-and-wife duo Chris and Jenna Socci (csocci.com), they used the opportunity to transform the otherwise boring space into a bright, bold retreat dressed in Parisian flair. “This space was inspired by our trips to Paris. We’ve been to Paris a couple times and stayed at the most fabulous boutique hotels and always thought, we could do this in our own home,” says Chris. “Jenna is always privy to making things a bit Frenchy; she loves Parisian style. So, when we decided to redo this space, that was the avenue we took. We wanted something bold, bright and very French.”
The couple bought their Sandy Springs home, a traditional-style columned home built in ’71, 10 years ago, and they have since transformed the property using their interior design expertise, with the rest of the home done in a more traditional style to match the architectural style. They moved the primary bedroom to the main floor, leaving the original to become their two young boys’ playroom; the bathroom featured is the powder bath off the playroom. “This being off the playroom, we felt we could have some fun. So, we took everything down to the studs and moved everything, adding a big new window,” says Chris.
The two designers say the starting point was an iconic Pierre Frey wallpaper titled Arty—an abstract work-turned-wallpaper by French artist Marie-Cécile Aptel. “We wanted to offset the wildness of the paper with the choice to go with a black tiled shower with all brass accents and a neutral marble floor,” says Chris. “And the Regina Andrew sconces are very traditional. We wanted it to feel timeless but still have an edge to it, like it’s a piece of art,” adds Jenna.
After a total redesign of the layout, the pair got to work, taking six months to complete, using brands like PDI for all the plumbing, Walker Zanger for the bold black tile, and a collection of found pieces they sourced from 1stDibs and antique stores. “When we first designed the space, we had envisioned the bathtub under the window, and it was plumbed for that. Once the paper went in, we both were like, ‘Whoa, this just needs to be straight on.’ Both of us had this ‘What were we thinking?’ moment. Why were we giving less focus on this tub when it deserved to be the centerpiece? So, we had our contractor come in and rip up the marble floor and replumb the bathroom,” says Chris. “Then we found this amazing Slim Aarons print ‘Poolside in Sotogrande’ and it really completed the look for the space, allowing the free-standing tub and art to be the focal point of the room,” says Jenna. “Our boys always look at the print and say, ‘Can we go there? We want to get in that pool!’ And it’s funny but that is how we want everyone who uses this bathroom to feel. Although the room and our design choices have a lot of energy, there is a relaxed, carefree feeling in that room as well,” continues Jenna. Another piece of art hanging opposite the vanity states something that Chris feels summarizes the room—“I have the simplest of tastes, I only want the best.” “It is such a wink to the room because, well, it’s not simple at all,” says Chris.
This design couple has taken an often discarded room and turned it into a small, bright and definitely bold jewel box, upgrading the powder room off the old primary suite to a fully functional Parisian artistic retreat. “I feel this space is reflective of Jenna and how she dresses,” says Chris. “She is always fun and vibrant yet very tailored and classic, and accessorized very purposely.”
The bathrooms in our homes should be fun, places frequented by the whole family and guests of your home, and are often one of the most interesting and fun places to try your hand at new design trends and ideas. Here, Chris and Jenna Socci were able to express Jenna’s love for Parisian design and lend their hand to a more bold, bright design while keeping the details tailored and classic—showing that bold and bright prints can be used to expertly execute a laid-back and carefree retreat.
The framed print above the soaking tub by Victoria Albert is by Slim Aarons. The chair upholstery is by Brunschwig & Fils. PHOTO BY GALINA JULIANA
DESIGN DETAILS
BRUNSCHWIG & FILS
Bathroom chair upholstery
kravet.com/brunschwig-fils
WALKER ZANGER
Walls and floors
walkerzanger.com
PDI KITCHEN, BATH & LIGHTING
Phylrich vanity faucet, tub filler and shower plumbing
relyonpdi.com
VICTORIA + ALBERT
Soaking tub
vandabaths.com
REGINA ANDREW
Sconces
reginaandrew.com
SLIM AARONS
Framed print above tub
1stdibs.com
THE SHADE STORE Window shade
theshadestore.com
WATERWORKS
Shower basket
waterworks.com
