I would consider the space and the use of the bathroom as to what I need. If there is no shower or bath, than a towel circle or hook works if the space is tight for a hand towel to be hung on (ie a powder room where handwashing is about all that's doen). If space is an issue in a shower or tub room, consider a couple of towel hooks verses a bar. We have a combo of both, (one towel bar over the tub since it's high up...32" deep thing) and for our daily use we have one hook with a double rung (two towels can hang) right outside of the shower and then we have a train wreck (rack...it's a family joke) with towel hooks on it that is hung high over the toilet. As to toilet paper...if space is really tight there are great (and period) holders that recess half way into the wall and then what i have in my powder room...the ultimate on tight storage, is a toilet paper roll that's on a stand which I have sitting in front of the toilet, next to the sink, (which is close enough to the toilet to reach easily). I have a pocket door in one side so I can't use that, and the other is an outside wall, and the cabinet opens on the wall side so TP was an issue. The single roll holder is also period (isn't your house?) in feel so it would work well if you don't want to poke holes in the wall or cabinet.

I just bought a short free standing TP holder for the counter top. I haven't received it yet. I am really hoping I like it as well as I liked the function of my paper towel holder that I was using. My bathroom set up remodel was ill planned for TP holder, my issue that I couldn't get figured out, so gave up. I just posted this on the other thread about TP and the dog. But you can see that my counter on the right is a pretty good location for my short stand. To the other side of the toilet I put the holder in the side of the cupboard. I knew it would be a difficult reach but wanted to try it first. I hate the location. The counter the right also has a pull out that conveniently houses personal hygiene supplies. I love the location of that roll out. In fact, I will plan something similar to this with the next remodel. But with the next remodel there will be a TP holder spot on the wall in a functional location, but I don't know where to put the towel bars :/

I would do what ever you need to do to insure an adiquate location for the TP. Whether you build a pony wall or have a free standing holder is up to you. But I vote for installation on a wall if at all able. The function of the pony wall can be improved by adding a pullout in the end, for storage. I've linked a thread with an example of Mongoct's pony wall with pullout. Here is a link that might be useful: Mongoct example of a beautiful pony wall w/pullout & TP.

vineyard: We're on about the same timetable as you, depending on--well, everything. The garage was full before we started this venture, although I do reserve enough space for 1 car in it. I have recently resigned myself to being in moving-mode from now till whenever it is. My great room currently has a sink base cabinet DH made. Not boxed up, so I have wrapped Christmas presents stored inside. I can only access them through the cabinet doors, however. Because there's an ottoman, upside down on top of the cabinet. And for now, on top of the ottoman are wood pieces for the new coffee table DH is working on. The wood has to acclimate to indoor humidity levels or something. Are we having fun yet?