Perfect Powder Rooms
When I am faced with designing a very small space, for example a powder room, I see a wealth of opportunity before me. Maybe it’s because I grew up in New England, where real estate is at a premium and historic houses with smaller, well-curated rooms are the norm. As opposed to new construction houses that often feature an open-concept layout bathed in natural light and featuring soaring ceilings, many traditional New England homes are more segmented with petite rooms and low ceilings.
And let me tell you- with a little bit of Yankee ingenuity, us New Englanders know how to make the best of any space in order to make it shine! Instead of tearing down walls and completely reconfiguring the interior bones of these historic homes, I prefer to embrace the natural oddities and flow of these traditional structures that have withstood centuries, rooted in our beloved rocky New England soil.
Clockwise from top left: Farrow & Ball Brinjal, Farrow & Ball Railings, Sherwin Williams Dark Night, Behr Citronette, PPG Egyptian Violet, Farrow & Ball Oasis Blue
Is this my dream powder room? It very well may be. I wish I knew who designed it so I could give them credit! When was the last time you went to Home Depot, or your local paint store, and left with a truly delicious midnight black shade? I’m not talking about charcoal grey, or inky navy, but a sublimely dark true black. Probably never, huh? While painting a room black may seem intimidating at first, notice how the dark tone provides a richness, mystique, and depth that simply can’t be achieved with other colors.
When considering paint colors, select a shade of black that is matte or slightly lacquered. Bonus points for pairing your black walls with white accents and brass finishes, creating a supremely chic and utterly timeless combination. A powder room such as this one would fit in seamlessly in an urban apartment, a country estate, or a stunning early 20th century hotel all the same, as it’s a completely chameleon space.
Clockwise from left to right: Sherwin Williams Caviar, PPG Black Magic, Farrow & Ball Pitch Black, Glidden Onyx Black
Go for broke with boldly patterned wallpaper in an eye catching color. Sometimes (many times), more really is more. A powder room is an optimal space within which to try a maximalist look. Select a wallpaper with a larger pattern, which will pack a real punch without making your eyes hurt- am I the only one who can’t look at small, repeating patterns for very long? Keep the rest of the finishes in the space somewhat neutral and streamlined in shades of gold or bronze, letting the wallpaper shine as the overall deliciously juicy focal point of the room.
Right now lots of people are taking on DIY home improvement projects, and a powder room is a great place to start! The small space and relative simplicity of a powder room makes a wonderful canvas upon which to try your hand at interior design.