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Expert Talk: Wallpaper Gains Steam in the Bathroom
Pro designers are making unexpected choices for bathrooms these days, with wallpaper in bold patterns and high-contrast colors
Houzz Contributor. After graduating from UC Berkeley, I found myself utterly unprepared for the real world and at a loss as to what I should do next. Luckily, one day I stumbled through the doors of Architectural Digest and was taken under the wing of legendary editor Paige Rense. She had the vision to look past my uninspiring sociology degree and my general lack of experience—an unlikely journalism career was born. After AD, with my magazine karma still intact, I was hired by yet another publishing legend, the food critic and writer Ruth Reichl. I currently ply my trade as a freelance writer and editor and live in stylish Mid-Century-Modern comfort with my dog, Mike.
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Bold, large-scale-patterned wallpapers may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you're thinking about a design for your bathroom or powder room. But here are eight reasons you might want to reconsider your options.
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Tie everything together. "We wanted to revamp this bathroom without doing a costly remodel," says Beth Dotolo of Pulp Design Studios. "By using this European trellis wall covering we were able to give the space a completely new look and tie together the existing finishes."
She adds, "The right wall covering can elevate a small space, add interest and change the overall look and feel in an instant."
She adds, "The right wall covering can elevate a small space, add interest and change the overall look and feel in an instant."
Be well read. "My client had seen a wallpaper at a hotel with a book pattern that she loved," says designer Angela Gutekunst. "So that led me to this classic Brunschwig & Fils paper for her powder bath that worked beautifully."
by Niche Interiors
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Pack a powerful punch. "We needed something bold and unexpected to create interest in this tiny, formerly drab powder room," says Jennifer Jones of Niche Interiors. "This graphic packed the perfect punch."
Wallpaper: Osborne & Little
Wallpaper: Osborne & Little
by Elizabeth Reich
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Contrast light and dark. "I wanted something fresh, graphic and unexpected," says Elizabeth Reich of Jenkins Baer Associates. And she got it with this Moroccan-inspired pattern and the contrast of light and dark. "The ebony-stained floors pick up the espresso in the wallpaper," she points out.
Grass cloth: Phillip Jeffries
Grass cloth: Phillip Jeffries
Go (a little) crazy. This powder room adjoins a family room, and Tineke Triggs of Artistic Designs for Living took the latter's accent colors as an inspiration in choosing this large blue and green paisley.
"I personally like wallpaper and think you can go bold and a bit crazy in a powder room, since the space is so small," she says. "It makes the room feel grander."
"I personally like wallpaper and think you can go bold and a bit crazy in a powder room, since the space is so small," she says. "It makes the room feel grander."
Have an impact. Trevor Ciona and Curtis Elmy of Atmosphere Interior Design like powder rooms to be like little jewel boxes. "So we searched for a large-scale pattern in the clients' favorite color scheme," they say. "People are often afraid of large patterns, especially in small spaces, but we push for these rooms to have huge impact."
by Design By Lisa
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Freshen up. "My client saw this wallpaper and wanted to use it in her new home," says Lisa Ball of Design By Lisa. "It was a great fit, because it had the same qualities that we wanted throughout the house — a classic, timeless look that is also fresh and current."
wallpaper: Zoffany Cordoba
wallpaper: Zoffany Cordoba
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Reach for the red. For a guest bedroom and bath, Elizabeth Gordon of Elizabeth Gordon Studio used punches of red against earth tones to emphasize the Asian details of some of the rooms' accessories.
"The guest bath is one of my favorite spaces," she says, "and was designed around the concept of the British colonial empire in Hong Kong — with a dash of Hollywood glam. I think the wallpaper on the ceiling really makes the room."
More:
Wallpaper Ideas for Bedrooms
"The guest bath is one of my favorite spaces," she says, "and was designed around the concept of the British colonial empire in Hong Kong — with a dash of Hollywood glam. I think the wallpaper on the ceiling really makes the room."
More:
Wallpaper Ideas for Bedrooms
Comments
SPACIFY INC, Wow!! excellent bath furniture...Nice ideabook.....
11 months ago · Like
kateskouros i'd definitely paint the cabinets and vanity in the first pic. nice wallpaper doesn't mean a thing if it's sitting next to grandmas old oak.
11 months ago · Like
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rookeroo After pulling old wallpaper off every wall in my 1945 Cape Cod, I will never put wallpaper into another room again. Especially in a small room that has many obstacles to get to it.
11 months ago · Like
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Casart Coverings @ rookeroo-We share your pain! That's why we offer wallcovering that's not only easily removed (and without leaving any residue behind) but also can be reused. Don't give up the idea of using wallcovering without trying something new that addresses your hesitancy.
11 months ago · Like
patscats2 The one room I think should have wallpaper is a bathroom. Some of those however hurt my eyes.
11 months ago · Like
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jubu65 How can wallpaper in a bathroom stand up to the moisture? We're about to redo our bathroom and can't wait to get rid of the paper! Would love to see more bathroom wall suggestions, including all kinds of tile.
11 months ago · Like
bassimai very nice wallpaper like it special the bookpattern
11 months ago · Like
Kitt Haman Design Wallpaper is a "must" in bathrooms!!! Great pictures!
8 months ago · Like
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home improvement specialties I used paintable wallpaper in my bathroom, with a print like the black and white photo. Just love it!
7 months ago · Like
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Guimar Urbina | KIS Interior Design You can find those wallcovering at Www.wallpapercompanyshop.com
3 months ago · Like
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Ideabook published on June 26, 2012.
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