Powder Bath Pickiness

Hello Christine,

Thank you so much for your wonderful blog!  I eat it up like chocolate.
My last email got lost last year so I have finished that remodel and
started on a new one : )

I am a first time home buyer and I have gutted out my kitchen, full
bath and now I have redone my powder room but I am not sure how to
complete it.  I have included the items I would like to put in there
but thought I would run it by you first.  I won't bog you down on how
it looked and how I changed it already but I am trying to go bold with
wallpaper (which I am scared of) but I am taking your advice on the
powder room.  Now, should I do the whole wall, half way down, put a
chair molding, just use gray or white paint on the bottom below the
chair molding, help! : )

I only put a temporary vessel sink which you can see in the mirror
until I install the attached vessel sink because I was missing the
drain stopper on that one.  I would like it to have a Victorian feel,
I think.  I want to put a oval mirror with a silivery/gray ribbon at
the top to coincide with the color scheme.   Lastly, I am looking for a complimentary piece of granite to replace the top of the sink.  As
you can see, it was damaged and I got hundreds off of it, (yaah).  How
should the shape of the granite be to compliemnt the vessel sink?  The
faucet is a nickel finish and so are the sconces (I'm not really
loving the sconces though).  I just had my contractor put them in and
tear out the one vanity light over the mirror temporarily.

Thank you so much,
Liz

Hi Liz,

Thank you for comparing my blog to chocolate- surely one of the highest compliments a girl could receive! 

Let me give you a few tips for a beautiful powder bath:

First of all, attention to detail:

(designer Samantha Friedman)

Notice the crystal in the little knobs?  The embroidered towels?  The tiny pleats in the cafe curtain?  If you want to bring a real atmosphere into the room, you can't only have a Victorian feel in 50% of the elements of the room.  Your gut was right on the sconces.  Personally, I would not try to go toward "Victorian" unless you actually have a Victorian home.  Your flooring is not Victorian, your wood trim is not Victorian, it's just too far of a stretch.  How about we just try to dress it up, so the bathroom is more consistent with the console sink you purchased?

The sconce above is from Lamps Plus, the Kathy Ireland Collection.

You might not want to hear this, but I would also say that your scones are installed too high.  The light bulb on a bathroom sconce should hit level with your face.  (an average person's height)  The idea with the light is to not cast shadows on faces.  Shadows are not attractive.  They make us look like characters in Tim Burton movies. 

Ideally, you will have some light coming from above as well as your sconces.  You might consider a small chandelier. The lantern below is from Shades of Light: 

Look closely at the reflection in the room below, and you can see a third source of light.  Without that, the room is simply inadequately lit.

2.  I know that I mention the word "scale" just about every day, but I'll stop when it stops being an issue.  I want you to remember scale in selecting your mirror.

The mirror in the bathroom above is too small for the room.  I'm sure it's some special antique or something, but that doesn't make it a good vanity mirror.  What has happened above is that you end up with such separated areas.  You have the sink.  Then separate from that you have the faucet.  Then separate from that you have the mirror.  (the lights are also too  high)  Compare that to the powder below:

Can you see how the mirror is larger, and the faucet comes up and bridges the gap, creating overlap that marries the sink with the mirror?

In the same way, readers of my blog have read me saying that wall decor hung above a piece of furniture should be hung close to the furniture, creating a relationship with the two elements.  It is no different with a sink and mirror.  When you have all this wall space in-between, it's like a guy whose shirt is too short and you can see his gut.  The shirt should meet the pants.  That's what I'm say'in!

(photo from houzz)

This sink mirror combo above is great- the mirror is hung very close to the sink, and then you have some overlap, with the vase of flowers, bringing it all together like one happy family.  Here are a few more examples of both unified and disjointed combinations:

(photo from houzz)

UNIFIED

(Photo from Do you think they want me to say when I am using it specifically as a bad example?)

DISJOINTED

(photo from houzz)

UNIFIED

DISJOINTED

I also wanted to mention your commode.  It doesn't go with your sink or wallpaper either.  It is a very contemporary style, and you are trying to go so much more traditional.  The contrast is glaring to me.  (Sure- the average person might not notice- and you probably just purchased it- so this advice is for all of those readers who haven't purchased theirs yet- don't just pick one up at Costco- go to a real plumbing source and select one consistent with your architecture!)

You need a more traditional one like the Kholer model above.

Your wallpaper selection is terrific.  Do the entire room, all walls- baseboard to ceiling- be sure to add crown molding.

I hope by "granite" you actually mean marble.  I would do a Carrera marble, or something similar.  Granite is way too "kitcheny."  Your marble should mimic the shape of the sink, just like your damaged piece.  Make sure you have an ogee or other style decorative edge on it.

The Blingy Bath

Hi!

I found your blog when I searched google for ceiling tile paintable wallpaper, lol. I was wondering if you might be able to give me some advice on my powder bathroom. I'm having a hard time taking the plunge. (Heh. plunge.) I have a small powder bathroom. 5' 8"x 5' with 8 foot ceiling. We have a sconce-type light above the mirror, and a recessed light to one side above the toilet. No windows/natural light. Here is my idea for the room - you tell me if it could work without looking like a cave, or too top heavy. I wanted to put paintable ceiling tile wallpaper around the bottom half of the wall, like a wainscot, paint that a creamy or shimmery white, and add a chair rail molding, then paint the top half of the walls black. Then add crown around the ceiling. I'm still not sure do I leave the ceiling white? Then I wanted to hang a small traditional style beaded/crystal chandelier from the recessed light fixture. The fact that it's to one side makes this possible because that way the door doesn't hit it. I don't think i can do candle sconces on either side of the mirror because there is no room on one side and the only fix would be to move the sink. My husband won't go for that, lol. In my head it seems beautiful, but because there isn't any natural light, and it's small, I'm afraid that I'll get it done and realize the room looks too dark. But then again I keep thinking white "wainscot" white fixtures and white accessories should help offset the black. I really hope you have some advice for me, lol. My husband makes me feel like there is no room for trial and error when it comes to projects around the house, and it has made me a nervous wreck. I feel bad asking for your expert advice for nothing in return. I can help you add some bling to your blog if you'd like. I make "Blogicons" which are the little icons that appear in the address bar or tab of your browser. I noticed you have the blogger orange "B". I could make a custom one for you in exchange for some decor advice! :) Here is a better explanation of the blogicon. http://yourblogicon.blogspot.com/ Thanks in advance and I look forward to hearing from you!!
CaraStarr

Dear Cara,

Let me help you plan more of a fail-proof plan for your room. I do worry about the black walls. I appreciate powder bathrooms that have dark wall color- but if I were to go with your plan- I would bring the wainscot up to more like a five foot level.

Want a safer plan? Add texture and pattern in your wallpaper- and have it go all the way to the ceiling- no black at all. The paper below is from Candice Olson's wallpaper book, Dimensional Surfaces. It is hard to tell how fabulous it is from this picture- but you should go check it out- or send me your address and I will have a sample sent to you. It is a faux wood grain- with a reflective mirror type texture to it. Very Cool.

I like your idea of bringing lights down in more of a side by side sconce look- check out this bathroom below- the lights are installed right on the frame of the mirror. Maybe you have more room than you thought. Install them on the frame- install them on the mirror itself. It is a great look. (Make sure your lights are small enough).

Consider a unique pendant light like the one above from Uttermost in lieu of a chandelier. I am here to keep you on the cutting edge...

And for your ceiling. I couldn't find a picture of this- so just follow me here. Use 12 x 12 or similar sized mirrors on the ceiling- adding metal tiles (2 x 2)- like the ones above- at intersecting tiles. This will give you some pizazz and bling that will make the room a showplace in your home.

For your wall- you don't need a towel bar with no shower or tub. I don't have a pictue of your room- but if you are wasting a wall with a towel bar- remove it and add art- like the art I posted at the top. This alone will go a long way to making a beautiful room.

Finish with crown molding and a decent sized base board.

If I haven't given you too much work to do already- I'd love a blogicon- thanks :)

More Sink Options for Nancy

I wanted to give Nancy a few options that did not show that curvy silver pipe below her sink- or her plumbing at all- What do you think?

1. Espresso with drawers:
2. The Cube: (imagine that it has a white marble top and good looking faucet)
3. The Pedestal: (still going to require moving her hot and cold...)


4. Costco Special: Check your actual Costco store- I think they have had some similar to #1 in the past. Different locations have different items sometimes also- so check your two closest Costco's.

Even though they are not as open as the original set of sinks, they will be a much more roomy feel than her current built-in. I think maybe my favorite is the Espresso sink...- so what do you think? The top three are from Lowes- the bottom sink is from Costco. Any words of advice for Nancy? Thanks for voting last week on the first set of sinks- do you like those better than these? Nancy- what is your favorite- where are you leaning? It looks like the expensive sink won the poll :) Any prices on shower options yet? I think we would all be curious to know the difference in cost of the different shower options. (if you don't mind sharing with everyone- this is interesting info :) Nancy says, BTW, that she is kicking her son out of the house so she can have clear glass :) That a girl! (JK- I guess he already is planning on going :) Even with clear glass- you would still want a can light over the shower area. What do you like the best? Share.

Jennifer added one that is VERY nice- a similar look to #1- but more high end- from Restoration Hardware:

Every Bathroom's Must Have

Ask yourself- do your bathrooms have any greenery in them? I have a few rules- and that would have to be one of them- that EVERY room- including the bathrooms- have some greenery of some kind. The Feng Shui people would agree with me as well. Use a real plant that can live in your level of natural light. Orchids- like the one above are sometimes perfect for a bathroom.

Use some cool "sticks" that can fill the need for greenery in a bathroom (or with an owner) that can't sustain real plants.

Even just a small vase by the sink can fill the need.

Can you cut some from your yard and bring them inside? I grew up with a great lilac tree- I wish I had one now...

Silk flowers work- keep them fresh by replacing them regularly (2 or 3 x/ year) with new silks.- Don't forget about them and let them be ugly little dust traps. :) Silk flowers are not meant to last for years and years!!!!

They can be small arrangements...

Or not so small plants. Look at each of the photos above and imagine them without the greenery. It really does add a lot. Check out the simple flower in the post below- adds a LOT! OK- go look at your own bathrooms now- do you have any plants? Any flowers? Any sticks? If you do- Good job- if not- go get some :) Did it make a big difference? OK- now send me some before and after pictures. :)

Thanks!

Christine

Hey- don't forget to go this post and vote for Nancy's sink- only one day left!

Photos from better Homes and Gardens Beautiful Baths, 2007. Thank you!

Camel on the Ceiling, C C C

Malia said...
Where do you get the textured paintable wallpaper? That is exactly what I'm after। :)

Hi Malia,

It is not too hard to find. You might not be able to find it a a big box home center, or a paint store, but any "wallpaper" store would have it. One of my favorites (Derby Original Embossed Paper Paintable Wallcovering Product Code: 2ana-rd124 ) I found on "creativewallcovering.com". They will send you a sample for $5, which also includes a $5 off coupon for your purchase.

Try paintable wallpapers as a wainscot, or the ceiling in your kitchen, or dining room. Even just a small area like a powder bath would be really spectacular with a paintable wallpaper ceiling. In a formal powder you could even paint the wallpaper a metallic bronze, finish with beautiful crown mouldings and other bronze accents.

Send us a picture when you are done with your project! I love "before and afters"!

- Christine

Thank you "Great American Kitchens" vol III for the photo Designer: Jean Stoffer