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Adding Color & Accessorizing Powder Room

17 years ago

I am planning to wallpaper my 3 X 7 Powder Room with this Wallpaper:

{{!gwi}}

You can't tell in the photo but the background is a very subtle metallic. Since the paper is very neutral, I think I can add pretty much any color as an accent. Being able to change color accents on a whim really appeals to me! But, I'm stumped on accessorizing this tiny room. There are no windows. What can I use to add color other than the towels? I would have room for a very small flower arrangement on the vanity. I would like to add pictures but what do you put on top of damask that doesn't look too busy?

Comments (24)

  • 17 years ago

    Maybe black and white photos, matted with white or cream, framed in thick silver (or even silverish-goldish) frames. You could do wrought-iron sconces with candleholders.... a flower arrangement would be lovely. I have a small, simple rounded glass vase in my bathroom with about 5 deep red roses, finished off with cream-colored ribbon tied in a bow. I think you could do red accents (towels) and maybe chocolate brown.

  • 17 years ago

    Anything! Here's ours

  • 17 years ago

    Eliza, I love the idea of the deep red and chocolate brown. I have rusty red accents in my LR, which is close to this powder room.

    Pattiem: I love your powder room. I think I saw it in another thread and it inspired me to go with damask. I love the way you have accessorized it.

  • 17 years ago

    What great wallpaper you and pattiem have each chosen.
    Artlover- I maybe crazy but tiffany blue popped into my mind when I was looking at your wallpaper.
    Pattiem- Wow I am saving your photos.

  • 17 years ago

    Please forgive my grammar and spelling this Saturday a.m. Need more coffee!

  • 17 years ago

    Pattiem - WOW

    I LOVE your room. If you had described it (as opposed to showing us pics), I would have thought it would be too *busy*. Your vignettes play off each other and create a SMASHING good room. Did I say I love it??

  • 17 years ago

    Pattiem, excuse my ignorance, but is the hand towel on the ring used with the cord and tassel in place? I notice there is another towel on the vanity. I've seen others tie their towels like this or with ribbons and I think it's lovely. I would have to re-educate my DH if I did this. LOL

  • 17 years ago

    i love the idea of a beautiful mirror on this wallpaper..also consider a lot of white lace as an option? Rue de France has beautiful polyester lace that washes up white as snow.

  • 17 years ago

    Pattiem, wherever did you find that absolutely divine silver mirror? I love it! Your whole bath looks just wonderful.

  • 17 years ago

    Thank you all so much1 I had fun with that room. For those of you that didn't see the thread where I originally posted it, I got the wallpaper when Lowes had their clearance-that powder room cost 3 dollars to paper! Hubby did the wainscot for me and the accessories are things that are important to me. The bottom shelf holds a pic of my grandmother and some of her belongings-an old rattan type purse, and a hatpin. The art was all found at yard sales, flea markets, etc.. -just like almost everything else in my house!
    Artlover, I had to laugh at your comment. I do have another towel on the sink which is meant to be used on a daily basis, but you KNOW which one my kids and hubby use, don't you??! Oh, well-it's easy to untie the tassel and throw it in the wash. I have to choose my battles. LOL
    Oceanna, that mirror is actually an antique solid brass I got at an estate sale for almost nothing. It weighs a TON and I do love it. Thank you

  • 17 years ago

    this is the "Rules" that hang in the room. I really have to change the frame, but this has hung since my oldest was a baby in each of our homes and holds alot of memories

    {{!gwi}}

  • 17 years ago

    I like the idea of bringing the color from the next room in to the bathroom and you can do that will wall art and a few interesting pieces. On the other hand, I'd like the juxtaposition of brushed nickel and glass with that paper. It would give it a more current look with the old and then new together. If you could show us a picture, it would help.

  • 17 years ago

    Artlover, I really like your wallpaper choice! It reminds me a lot of the fabric we're using to upholster our parsons armchairs, by Robert Allen. See below.

    I think accents of silver would look great with your wallpaper. Maybe even a mirror with antiqued mirror inserts, and a silver frame with a hint of warmth. Then you can punch it up with any colour that you feel like - lavendars, teal blue, pinky reds, celadon green...you can go crazy but don't have to commit!

  • 17 years ago

    Artlover just wanted to chime in that I have towels that are tied with tassels and ribbon and no one uses them. I have a towel tray that is set on the counter. I go to the party store periodically and get the big dinner napkins in colors that compliment my decor and everyone uses the paper napkins. I do admit I put the fear of g*d into my family not to use the decorative towels. Whenever we have company I always crumple one napkin into the wastebasket as a "hint" just in case so people know to use the paper napkins.

  • 17 years ago

    Deborah, I had to laugh! I do the same thing. I buy the paper hand towels at BB&B or the Dollar Store. So one day my ditzy SIL was over for a cookout and used the powder room. She came out holding the tray of paper hand towels and asked where I got the pretty "napkins"-she had, of course, wiped her hands (think barbecue sauce) on the cream colored decorative towels

  • 17 years ago

    Whenever I'm getting dressed to go out with hubby for dinner and a movie, he'll see me fussing over earrings and necklaces and will say, "We're not going to meet the Queen of England." I can just here the comments now when I add tassels and cords to the towels. LOL

  • 17 years ago

    Artlover - I have to admit, I was skeptical when I saw your paper, until I saw Pattiem's gorgeous bath. Clearly, you can make it fabulous!

    As you say, the entire color palette is open to you.
    What color would YOU like to bring in?

    If it were me, I could see a Tiffany blue, hyacinth, lavender, orchid, black & gold, deep carnelian red, coral, cobalt & white --
    A 'clear' color with some transluscence -- nothing 'muddy' or complex.

    But I'm dying to see what you come up with!

  • 17 years ago

    Sweeby, I totally agree-those choices sound GORGEOUS!! And thank you :)

  • 17 years ago

    Pattiem, ouch! Artlover, I forgot to mention that I love the wallpaper and actually had something similar in gold in my own home. Like Pattiem, I would go rich looking and formal and far as color I like Sweeby's idea. I think it would be scrumptious.

  • 17 years ago

    Beautiful silvery wallpaper!

    I would love to see lots of silver accessories (maybe silverplate ones?) and crystal ones too!

    How about painting the ceiling in silver -- maybe high gloss?

    How about a white silk orchid in a pretty silver pot?

    Found some art prints -- would look wonderful with damask!

    Jan at Rosemary Cottage

    Here is a link that might be useful: art.com -- PERFECT with the silver wallpaper!

  • 17 years ago

    Where are you Artlover?
    We need more input here! --

  • 17 years ago

    Thanks EVERYONE for all your great ideas. I ordered my wallpaper last night. I am going to do a mini budget make-over on this little room, and I KNOW I will have lots of questions (and pictures) later. I'm refacing the vanity, adding a new smooth ceiling with crown molding, and new lights and faucet. This is going to be my spring break project.

    It really helped to hear all your inspiring ideas about decorating around this paper. I have to have a vision to get me through all the work of actually getting to the dedorating part.

    I think I'm going to try to stay on the simple side of traditional, since this will go better with the rest of my home. I love the idea of adding jewel tone accents in there. I think several people suggested that. I may try to pull in the coral/terracotta from the dining room, which is just across the hall.

  • 17 years ago

    Yes, keep it simple. In a little room, a monochromatic scheme is more likely to make it seem spacious. I would use a big vertical rectangular mirror with a simple frame that combines gold and silver leaf...the finish gives both coolness and warmth.

    I think that the effect of your wonderful wallpaper will be lost with strong colors. Think about using frosty, very light pinks or blues (I wouldn't do both), either of which could also be used with a pale, clear orchid, and white porcelain and real silver accessories...as few as you can get away with...and old linen hand towels in white (which are easy to find in flea markets and antique stores, if you don't already have them.

    Such a scheme would give you real elegance, which you have begun with that great paper. Think Dr. Zhivago and the winter palace...think Audrey Hepburn in a pale satin gown with pearls...think the powder room of a posh Paris hotel. And if you keep it uncluttered, it won't seem too dressy at all.

  • 17 years ago

    Artlover, I can't wait to see what you do with your bathroom! I think you're going to have a lot of fun with it. You can also beebop through the bathroom thread in the Gallery for ideas.