We also didn't do tile b/c of the cost. I do love the look. There are many other options: Just plain painted walls, beadboard, tongue and grove, chair rail and use 2 different color paint, wood paneling, wallpaper... Here's what we did: Here are a few inspiration pics I saved from houzz [traditional bathroom design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-bathroom-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_712~s_2107) by san francisco architect Doma Architects, Inc. [traditional bathroom design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-bathroom-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_712~s_2107) by new york architect Reginald L. Thomas Architect LLC. [traditional bathroom design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-bathroom-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_712~s_2107) by seattle architect Bosworth Hoedemaker [traditional bathroom design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-bathroom-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_712~s_2107) by san francisco James Madson [traditional bathroom design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-bathroom-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_712~s_2107) by phoenix interior designer VM Concept Interior Design Studio

Hi Sochi and Kristin, gorgeous wallpaper projects! I am in correspondence with several Italian fiber glass wallpaper suppliers now and all of them have different waterproofing methods. The main issue I am finding is that the substrate needs to be white in color and smooth. Sochi mentioned the contractor used Schluter KERDI-BOARD but it is orange, so how did you eventually get it white? Krisitin what did your contractor do for substrate? What products were used to waterproof the wall before the application of the glue, wallpaper and sealants? My other concern is that the drywall or cement board (depending on what to use) has to sit on top of my shower pan so I fear it will absorb water is not properly waterproofed. Any guidelines and suggestions will be highly appreciated. Alex

Imp1959, I got the towel bars, sconces and faucets on Amazon. I can try to get some links up tomorrow. I will show some shower pics after I clean it. We turned off the water at the street to change the valves under the sink and the damned valve knob at the street seized up, the broke off. so now we have no water and they wont come after hours to fix it since we are the ones who turned it off. So I will clean the shower tomorrow and take pictures.

I also grew up in NYC in a building complex built in the late 1920s. No central air and there was no vent in the bathroom, just a small window in the shower we would crack open for ventilation. My mother wallpapered the bathroom and it lasted many years but eventually began to peel at the edges. I do not know how she installed it but since she's an artist and the type to do everything correctly, I suspect she used the right techniques. The room definitely got steamy and moist on a daily basis as it was the primary bathroom for two teens.