Designer: Amanda Digman and Crystal Gonzales of Carla Royder Designs & Co.
Location: Hollywood Park, Texas
Size: 42 square feet (3.9 square meters); 6 by 7 feet
Homeowners’ request. “It was a new build, and because this space is for an outdoor pool bath, the homeowners just wanted it to be fun and functional,” designer Amanda Digman says.
Special features. “The jumping-off point was definitely the wallpaper,” designer Crystal Gonzales says. “Once that was chosen, everything fell into place around it. The floating sink makes a real statement, but also the Sherwin-Williams Charming Pink paint shiplap color was also picked with the wallpaper in mind.”
Designer tip. “Big impact, smaller investments,” Digman says. “With a smaller space, always go out of your comfort zone and make a statement.”
3. Teal Tile and Patterned Flooring
Designer: Laurie Montour Design
Location: Dove Canyon, California
Size: 42 square feet (3.9 square meters); 6 by 7 feet
Homeowners request. “This was a dream client, she just kept saying, ‘I trust you, do whatever you want,’” designer Laurie Montour says. “We did a large-scale remodel while she was living in New York City. Everything was approved by photos and samples.”
Special features. “We wanted to create an impactful space with an odd sloped ceiling and asymmetry,” Montour says. “We used a teal green tile wall to repeat some of the colors of the entire home and give the powder bath some color while keeping everything else neutral. The fun patterned tile floors with the hanging pendant light give this room so much personality.”
Designer tip. “Hanging pendant lighting in a bathroom is a fun way to use lighting,” Montour says. “I always recommend recessed overhead lighting along with pendants to ensure adequate lighting.”
Floor tile: Ann Sacks; pendant light: Limoges, Visual Comfort; wall paint: Simply White, Benjamin Moore
Designer: Lauren Rubin Architecture
Location: New York
Size: 25 square feet (2.3 square meters); 4½ by 5½ feet
Homeowner’s request. “The client preferred a dramatic and unique design for the powder room,” designer Lauren Rubin says. “She favored rich materials and textures.”
Special features. “Nero Marquina marble worked both on the walls and floors for the drama she was looking for,” Rubin says. “Marquina Nero marble has beautiful white veining with depth and richness. The large tiled walls play off of the small herringbone marble floors.”
Designer tip. “Changing texture and tile size instead of tile color creates the image of a larger room,” Rubin says. “The floor, ceiling and walls merge into one. The change of tile size and shape adds another layer of design.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “Our ‘uh-oh’ moment was how to handle the color of the plumbing fixtures,” Rubin says. “We found a great gray concrete vanity but were left with a white toilet. The bright white porcelain became the focus of the bathroom. We decided the balance between a white porcelain sink with a white porcelain toilet would balance the wall so that neither piece became the center of attention.”
Sink: Scarabeo, Nameeks
Designer: Erica Burns Interiors
Builder: Natelli Homes
Location: Bethany Beach, Delaware
Homeowners’ request. “This is off of a game room and a beach house, so the clients wanted something fun and whimsical,” designer Erica Burns says.
Special features. “We did not have lots of space, so we opted for a wall-hung sink console made out of a stained concrete by Concretti Designs,” Burns says. “Due to high traffic, we opted for a wood wainscoting to keep things durable. The wallpaper is a faux bois paper in a bright blue. It gives the room enough pattern and fun without being overwhelming and it ties in nicely with the color of the sink.”
Designer tip. “In a small space, keep the elements light and airy,” Burns says. “And have fun with it. Powder rooms are great areas to add a little whimsy since they are contained and can be an experience for guests.”
Wainscoting paint: Chantilly Lace, Benjamin Moore
6. Black Vanity and Light Wallcovering
Designer: Kathy Hoskins and Haley Carter of Hoskins Interior Design
Location: Fishers, Indiana
Size: 25 square feet (2.3 square meters); 5 by 5 feet
Homeowner’s request. “Although the footprint was very small and did not present a lot of options, the homeowner wanted a more modern and interesting version of the dated powder bath in her newly purchased condo,” designer Kathy Hoskins says.
Special features. “We gave this tired bath more personality by replacing the wall-mounted cabinetry with a freestanding piece,” Hoskins says. “The black finish adds contrast and holds its own on the hardwood flooring that we brought into this bath from the main hall. Also important is the large-scale Promenade Linen wallcovering from Thibaut over a custom-designed, painted wood wainscot.”
Designer tip. “When we are presented with a square box of a room to design, we often add architectural interest like the wood wainscot here,” Hoskins says. “Another way to add interest to a small space is a large-scale wallcovering.”
Designer: Laura Irion and Laura Peacock of Laura Design
Location: Western Springs, Illinois
Size: 35 square feet (3.3 square meters); 5 by 7 feet
Homeowners’ request. “The homeowners knew they wanted a green scheme with tonal tile and wallpaper,” designer Laura Irion says.
Special features. “We fell in love with a bamboo paper from Rose Tarlow and coordinated the tile from there,” Irion says. “To complete the monochromatic look, we painted the trim and door a deep green as well. The console sink is really a showstopper and a favorite element. We love how this has wood legs to add warmth in the room, with luxe polished chrome accents. A heavily veined marble remnant was sourced for the top to further add drama and a one-of-a-kind feel.”
Project photos: Emily Kennedy Photography