The Spa Treatment

Sheila Kim-Jamet -- Interior Design, 5/1/2007 12:00:00 AM

Designing a 20,000-square-foot beauty and wellness facility at the Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, D'Aquino Monaco principals Carl D'Aquino and Francine Monaco had only one real directive to work with, the name: Silver Rain Spa. "Our concept became water," D'Aquino says. "In its many states."

The experience begins in the foyer, where guests walking across the cast-glass floor hear water running beneath their feet. Cast glass, framed in steel, appears in jagged three-dimensional form along the walls, suggesting arctic ice crystals—even the temperature is slightly lower here. Water simultaneously cascades down the foyer's walls of white quartzite, a typically Swiss stone that gives a subtle nod to skin-care company La Prairie, which oversees the spa. As for water vapor, it defines the Silver Mist treatment room, named for its row of showerheads.

Waiting and changing areas are infused with serene luxury. For the Silver Haven lounge, D'Aquino Monaco chose curtains and shag rugs in soothing white or cream. Seating is upholstered in silvery-violet leather and suede. Locker doors are silver-lacquered. And actual crystal chandeliers sparkle against the silver-leafed ceiling.

From top: Cast glass, framed in steel, represents ice formations in the foyer of the La Prairie–branded Silver Rain Spa at the Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman. Acounter clad in plastic laminate and a stool by Karim Rashid appoint a corner in reception. Quartzite and steel signage mark the entry.

From top: The women's changing room features crystal chandeliers. A spun-polyester fabric curtains off seating areas in the Silver Haven lounge. Locker doors and paneling are carved and lacquered.

WALL TILE (FOYER, ENTRY): STONE SOURCE. STOOL (RECEPTION): DDC. WALL COVERING: INNOVATIONS IN WALLCOVERINGS. CRYSTAL CHANDELIERS (CHANGING ROOM): MATHIEU LUSTRERIE. SOFA BACK UPHOLSTERY: IZIT LEATHER. SOFA SEAT FABRIC: ZIMMER + ROHDE. LOCKER, PANEL MATERIAL: MAROTTE THROUGH ARCHITECTURAL SYSTEMS. TABLES (LOUNGE): BB ITALIA. CURTAIN FABRIC: BRENTANO. CUSTOM RUGS: CLODAN CARPETS. RECESSED CEILING FIXTURES: CONTRAST LIGHTING. LIGHTING CONSULTANT: MAGGIE GIUSTO LIGHTING DESIGN. ARCHITECT OF RECORD: MILTONPATE ARCHITECTS.