Meet 2020 DM Honoree Barbara Sallick: When Barbara Sallick and her husband, Robert, were first married, they spent time visiting European plumbing showrooms and “got inspired by all of the beautiful classical fittings we saw,” says Sallick, co-founder and senior vice president of design for Waterworks. “Nothing like them was available back home, so we decided to modify and update the designs for the modern U.S. market.”
This Empire freestanding bathtub is accented by the Aero tub filler, shown here in brass.
This Boulevard glass round two-leg washstand is shown with a Boulevard faucet with crystal lever handles in nickel.
The roots of the business go back to 1925, she says, with her father’s plumbing business. And that family connection has continued through the decades: Sallick’s son Peter now serves as Waterworks’ CEO. “As CEO, he’s helped us turn the company into the premier design destination for luxury baths and kitchens,” she explains.
The brand has become synonymous with authentic design, exquisite craftsmanship, advanced engineering and world-class service, and what they offer runs the gamut, including fixtures, custom cabinetry, lighting and hardware like knobs, pulls and bars. “I believe there is some- thing both intangible and emotional about beautifully designed products—especially ones that are used every day,” says Sallick.
The Southport resident was able to see that philosophy come to life in her own kitchen, which has been one of her favorite spaces to design. “Creating it gave me the opportunity to practice what I preach: Design a space that’s both functional and experiential,” she says. “I used a mix of finishes (brass, stainless steel and matte nickel), selected hardware that was not only beautiful but easy to use, painted both dark and light colors in the same space and selected an active marble counter. The kitchen is our community space— informal and welcoming.”
This Clayburn Fireclay sink includes the On Tap faucet in brass.
This bathroom features a stand-out Opus metal round single two-leg washstand in brass.
This kitchen features Belden cabinetry in midnight, Cushing & Portsmouth pulls in nickel, Stewart knobs, a Regulator faucet, a Kerr stainless steel sink, Grove Brickworks backsplash and Keystone slab in plumeria.
Despite her busy schedule, Sallick also finds time to give back. She’s immediate past chair of the Wheelock College Board of Trustees and member of the Dean’s Advisory Board at Boston University Wheelock College. She is a member of Sir John Soane’s Museum Foundation and a member of The Decorators Club NYC.
On tap for Waterworks, she explains: “We’ve just expanded our modern collections to showcase our unique perspective on what soft modern looks like in 2020 for the bath and kitchen.”
