New This Week: 3 Powder Rooms With Smile-Inducing Walls
Looking for a happy place in your home? Let these walls speak to you
There’s an old saying that goes, “Tame in the living room. Wild in the powder room.” OK, I just made that up. But it hits on something that many designers and homeowners swear by: that powder rooms are spaces where, no matter how subdued the style is in the rest of your home, you can really let your freak flag fly. And the best way to do that is with a show-stopping wall treatment. These three powder rooms show us how it’s done.
1. Get Your Citron
Designer: Alison Damonte of Alison Damonte Design
Location: Berkeley, California
Homeowners’ request: They wanted to carry a midcentury modern vibe from the rest of the house into the powder room without having it come off as dated or clichéd. “Most of the house had white walls, and we always find that a powder room gives us an opportunity for a bold splash of color, hence the citron wallpaper,” says designer Alison Damonte.
Wallcovering: Links in Zest, Harlequin via Walnut Wallpaper
Designer secret: Damonte mimicked the geometry of the wallpaper with the shape of the mirror and pendant to create a strong relationship among the design elements in the room.
“Uh-oh” moment: “We didn’t anticipate how large the pendant was going to be, and the client was expecting something smaller,” Damonte says. “They’ve grown to love it.”
Splurges and savings: The homeowners splurged on the plumbing fixtures, and they saved on the mirror and pendant by shopping at more affordable retail sources. “It’s more important to have longevity in terms of plumbing fixtures because you are operating them every day, as opposed to mirrors and lights that aren’t going to be physically touched on a daily basis,” Damonte says.
Also on the team: David Yama of YamaMar Design (architect); Eitan Spanier of U Unlimited (contractor); Bruce Damonte (photography)
Round mirror: Hang 1, Blu Dot; pendant light: Buenos Aires, Jonathan Adler; vase: Albert in red, Tina Frey
Designer: Alison Damonte of Alison Damonte Design
Location: Berkeley, California
Homeowners’ request: They wanted to carry a midcentury modern vibe from the rest of the house into the powder room without having it come off as dated or clichéd. “Most of the house had white walls, and we always find that a powder room gives us an opportunity for a bold splash of color, hence the citron wallpaper,” says designer Alison Damonte.
Wallcovering: Links in Zest, Harlequin via Walnut Wallpaper
Designer secret: Damonte mimicked the geometry of the wallpaper with the shape of the mirror and pendant to create a strong relationship among the design elements in the room.
“Uh-oh” moment: “We didn’t anticipate how large the pendant was going to be, and the client was expecting something smaller,” Damonte says. “They’ve grown to love it.”
Splurges and savings: The homeowners splurged on the plumbing fixtures, and they saved on the mirror and pendant by shopping at more affordable retail sources. “It’s more important to have longevity in terms of plumbing fixtures because you are operating them every day, as opposed to mirrors and lights that aren’t going to be physically touched on a daily basis,” Damonte says.
Also on the team: David Yama of YamaMar Design (architect); Eitan Spanier of U Unlimited (contractor); Bruce Damonte (photography)
Round mirror: Hang 1, Blu Dot; pendant light: Buenos Aires, Jonathan Adler; vase: Albert in red, Tina Frey
2. Palm Springs Punch
Designers: Anthony Stark of Corsini Stark Architects and interior designer Sam Kivett
Location: Palm Springs, California
Size: 24 square feet (2.2 square meters); about 4½ by 5 feet
Homeowners’ request: They sought a contemporary design that recalls the midcentury origins of the house. A midcentury pattern with a contemporary color did the trick.
Wall tile: Mural collection, Heath Ceramics
Why the design works: This space was originally a tight entryway coat closet. To make the most of the layout, the design team used a wall-hung toilet and vanity. A medicine cabinet with an internally lit mirror minimizes clutter. The Palm Springs desert sky inspired the bright blue tile color.
Who uses it: This home belongs to a professional couple living in Los Angeles who use it as a vacation getaway. Later, it will become their retirement home.
Designer secret: “The bright blue Heath tile backsplash makes the space pop,” says designer Anthony Stark. “It’s visually graphic and tactile, with a handcrafted feel.”
Splurges and savings: The homeowners splurged on the Heath accent tile and balanced that with standard white rectangular tile.
Also on the team: Steve King (photography)
Countertop: Silestone; toilet: Geberit; sink: Ladena, Kohler; faucet: Hansgrohe
Designers: Anthony Stark of Corsini Stark Architects and interior designer Sam Kivett
Location: Palm Springs, California
Size: 24 square feet (2.2 square meters); about 4½ by 5 feet
Homeowners’ request: They sought a contemporary design that recalls the midcentury origins of the house. A midcentury pattern with a contemporary color did the trick.
Wall tile: Mural collection, Heath Ceramics
Why the design works: This space was originally a tight entryway coat closet. To make the most of the layout, the design team used a wall-hung toilet and vanity. A medicine cabinet with an internally lit mirror minimizes clutter. The Palm Springs desert sky inspired the bright blue tile color.
Who uses it: This home belongs to a professional couple living in Los Angeles who use it as a vacation getaway. Later, it will become their retirement home.
Designer secret: “The bright blue Heath tile backsplash makes the space pop,” says designer Anthony Stark. “It’s visually graphic and tactile, with a handcrafted feel.”
Splurges and savings: The homeowners splurged on the Heath accent tile and balanced that with standard white rectangular tile.
Also on the team: Steve King (photography)
Countertop: Silestone; toilet: Geberit; sink: Ladena, Kohler; faucet: Hansgrohe
3. Midcentury Marvel
Designer: Miranda Cullen of Duet Design Group
Location: Denver
Homeowners’ request: They wanted to add a punch of color and interest to an otherwise neutral powder room.
Wallcovering: Shanghai Peacock in Brass, Schumacher
Why the design works. Cullen wanted the space to be a departure from the neutral palette of the adjacent hallway. “The wallcovering makes a statement,” she says. “Powder rooms are the best place to do this.”
Who uses it: This is the first-floor powder room used by family members and guests.
Floating vanity: custom; countertop: marble
See the rest of this home
More: 102 Eye-Popping Powder Rooms
Designer: Miranda Cullen of Duet Design Group
Location: Denver
Homeowners’ request: They wanted to add a punch of color and interest to an otherwise neutral powder room.
Wallcovering: Shanghai Peacock in Brass, Schumacher
Why the design works. Cullen wanted the space to be a departure from the neutral palette of the adjacent hallway. “The wallcovering makes a statement,” she says. “Powder rooms are the best place to do this.”
Who uses it: This is the first-floor powder room used by family members and guests.
Floating vanity: custom; countertop: marble
See the rest of this home
More: 102 Eye-Popping Powder Rooms
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