Hatano Studio, LLC | Kirkland Master Bath | Washington

A desire for creative expression and a strong sense of design lead financial risk manager Yumi Kagamihara to her second career in interior design. Yumi studied at New York School of Interior Design while working full-time on Wall Street. Then she made a career change and joined a NYC-based interior architecture firm.

After relocating with her husband to Seattle’s eastern suburb of Kirkland, Washington in 2009, Yumi founded Hatano Studio and began transforming clients’ vague ideas into personalized spaces they love. As is often the case in suburban neighborhoods, the new homeowners for this Kirkland master bath upgrade found Hatano Studio online. They purchased a home just a few blocks from Yumi.

The young family was looking for a refresh before moving into their 2,700 sq ft 5-bedroom house, located within walking distance of the region’s high-tech hub. On their list were a larger, modernized master bath, updated powder room, girl’s bathroom, additional closets, as well as new floors and paint throughout. They requested a modern sleek design with warm, soft tones.

For the master bath, Yumi chose a serene, monochromatic palette that pairs REHAU RAUVISIO Terra Whiskey Oak cabinetry with a white quartz countertop and tinted blue backsplash tiles. By borrowing some of the above-garage attic space, Yumi was able to enlarge the shower area and add a spacious walk-in closet.

“Terra is perfect for clients who are leaning contemporary, but don’t want to go all the way,” says Yumi. “People are afraid of being too sleek and minimalist. RAUVISIO terra Whiskey Oak gives you warmth and texture in a gray-beige shade that’s very difficult to get with stained natural wood,” she adds.

RAUVISIO terra is a soft-touch, deeply textured wood grain surface, made from durable HPL rather than melamine paper. A local cabinet manufacturer, Sylvan Craft, Inc. fabricated the cabinets, using custom doors supplied by REHAU. The doors are banded with matching REHAU LaserEdge, providing a seamless finish that is authentic and long lasting.

“Some cabinet makers have a standard selection to pick from. I often want to select from various sources like REHAU,” says Yumi. “Sylvan makes their cabinets on site and will work with the materials I choose.”

“I have been using REHAU edgeband for a long time,” says Yumi. “With other surfaces, I have to source a matching edging or buy a whole roll. REHAU offers a complete package with doors and matching edging, so it is easier for me. Also, the local sales rep is very responsive. He gets me any samples I need right away and is always available to answer any technical questions."

Yumi routinely draws on her project management skills to bring her clients' visions to life. “Instead of choosing software solutions, I’m choosing materials and there’s a creative side, but it all comes down to understanding clients’ needs and project management,” says Yumi. “It’s all on me to make sure every project goes smoothly and the customer is happy at the end. REHAU helps me achieve this.”