The handcrafted artisanship and unique industrial design of Sonoma Forge's bath and kitchen fixtures has come to life through the entries in the manufacturer’s semi-annual photo/design contest. Designers, architects, and customers showcased their projects featuring Sonoma Forge shower systems, faucets, and tub fillers, with entries ranging from a rustic-yet-exotic powder room to a luxurious contemporary master bath to an elegant transitional kitchen. Kyle O’Donnell, founder of Gramercy Design in New York, won the first of two contests in 2023, in recognition of an outdoor shower he completed in The Hamptons.

The photo contest sought completed bathrooms and kitchens boasting not only a unique, eye-catching aesthetic, but also exemplary specification of Sonoma Forge products within the space and parameters of the project and with consideration for technical and practical concerns. “I first saw Sonoma Forge’s WaterBridge exposed outdoor shower at a friend’s beach house out on Long Island,” O’Donnell said. “The house was on the ocean, so the entire outdoor shower was coated in a rustic patina — it was phenomenal. I started specifying these in every project possible. Everyone raves about these showers.”

O’Donnell’s shower oozes coastal vibes, with Sonoma Forge’s WaterBridge pressure-balanced floor-mount shower set against softly aged cedar shingles. The Rustic Nickel finish combines with the design’s exposed copper tees, elbows, and pipe for a look perfectly suited to the setting while the WaterBridge rainhead shower delivers a refreshing spray after a day in the salt and sea.

“Our first of two contests this year saw a host of strong entries—it was very hard to choose a winner,” said Erik Ambjor, president of Sonoma Forge. “We found ourselves inspired by O’Donnell’s outdoor shower, which evokes the feeling of shaking off the winter blues, hitting the surf on a warm day, then rinsing off under a luxurious shower. The design pays homage to humble plumbing ware and the patina perfectly suits the home’s setting.”

Sonoma Forge awarded O’Donnell a WaterBridge deck mount lavatory faucet with Elbow spout for his standout project photo. “We knew that all the exposed outdoor elements needed to withstand the saltwater air. Sonoma Forge is the only supplier of outdoor plumbing fittings that we trust to hold up in harsh conditions while maintaining a perfect finish,” O’Donnell said. “We will keep specifying these.”