Powder Room Refresh

6 years ago

Our 1st-floor powder room could probably happily remain boring and neutral in all of its beige glory. But, I want to make it more dramatic and colorful, so I bought a lovely peel-and-stick wallpaper for the wall behind the toilet, opposite the sink. It's a custom size, so it will fill the entire wall perfectly.

The wallpaper is my starting point, and I'd love some feedback on the rest of the elements, specifically painting the vanity a bold blue to match the peacock, swapping out the sink and faucet, and replacing the nickel-colored knobs on the vanity with these exquisite brass and shell knobs. We've removed the window blinds and added a decorative window cling to the bottom half of the window so that we can have both privacy and natural light.

The wallpaper only cost ~$120, so it won't be an issue to remove it once I get tired of it, and paint is relatively cheap for a project of that size. The new sink is less than $130, but the gorgeous knobs cost more than I ever thought I'd be tempted to spend ($120/each x 4 knobs).

I'd love some feedback on the following:

First, overall impressions. I love the wallpaper and have already ordered it, so no need to try to talk me out of it.
Feedback on vanity + knobs +sink; I'd move the knobs from the center of the doors to the edge. The doors are so awkward to open with the knobs in the middle, but they were like that when we bought the house. Suggestions for more economical knobs that would work?
Paint color suggestions for the walls. I'm OK leaving them the current color if it works.
Opinion about whether the pendant lights should stay or be replaced.
Suggestions about the faucet color for the new sink; it will need to be purchased separately.
Opinion about the countertop--is it OK to stay?

I'm treating this as a redecorating project, so no new flooring (yet) and no new vanity.

I've attached a few pictures of the powder room from the house listing in 2016, a picture of the window cling (from online) and a mood board I've created with the different elements.

Thanks!

Featured Answer

freedomplace1

6 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

Have you considered doing the wallpaper on the wall behind vanity/mirror? And then maybe a grass cloth type paper along these lines for rest of bathroom.

I agree with @Muriel Thompson, in terms of letting your wallpaper be the star of the show. Simpler window film is a great idea. I think I would actually keep the wood vanity as is, and also go with a white sink basin, maybe larger and or a different shape. And yes, simple, but 'statement' style hardware, in silver or gold, and I would probably go for the gold. New pendants and mirror.

The wallpaper you've chosen is nice. I had to chime in here, because I love peacocks! :). Fabulous.

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Comments (8)

Muriel Thompson
6 years ago
My hot take: the wallpaper is awesome. Go with it. But then let it be the star. The knobs will be too busy. Look at something simpler, maybe brass? Replace the pendant, for sure. Maybe also something in brass. I like the idea of the window film, but choose something without a pattern so it doesn’t fight with the wallpaper. A bright vanity seems like a great idea, but I don’t see why you need a new sink basin. The mirror could use a refresh. The arched, frameless mirror should be replaced with something round or rectangular and framed. Have fun.
Basil
Original Author
6 years ago
@Muriel Thompson, thank you so much for your detailed response! I hadn't considered brass pendants--I'll have to do some research.

We have 2.5 bathrooms, and all three have the same style sink basin. We don't really like them, and the plain white seems too boring for the powder room, which is what all of our post-COVID guests will use. Perhaps the sink I posted is too busy?
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Muriel Thompson
6 years ago
If you love the sink go with it, I think it works with your wallpaper. I think your vanity paint should play more nicely with the sink, something with some more peacock/teal sorts of colors and less royal. The underside of the sink could guide you on color selection for pulls and pendant.
everdebz
6 years ago
Often, usually? the focal part is the vanity/ mirror wall. If you post opposite wall it might help. And what does the room measure? I'm not sure about toilet having the only wp.
everdebz
6 years ago
Sink has handmade artist look. The paper doesn't. They can abide together. What binds your items seems mostly the color, and as has been said, that's ok, but I'd probably skip the sink.
Basil
Original Author
5 years ago
@everdebz, thank you for your replies! The room measures approximately 5' (toilet and vanity opposite each other) x 6' (door and window opposite each other). Therefore, the wall behind the toilet is the only wall that is entirely free and allows for the 5' x 8' rectangular mural to be hung in a solid piece without any cutouts or odd angles. The toilet will only block the bottom right corner of the mural and won't require it to be cut to be hung. Even though it's a more typical placement, the mirror wall doesn't provide enough wall space to showcase the mural--I would have needed to pick a different pattern.

I went through the motions of a typical bathroom visit, and there were at least 3 times when I'd directly face the mural, and its reflection would be clearly visible when sitting on the toilet and standing at the vanity washing my hands. :-)
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MARGARITA BRAVO
5 years ago
We wanted to share some powder rooms we have done with you. Please notice the wallpaper, tiles, and other decor we used.
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