thanks kudzu! i guess i thought that was why i see photos of bathrooms with backsplash tile or countertops that wrap up the back and side walls. to be honest, i've never paid attention to whether or not my family makes much splash around the sink. i'm assuming powder rooms tend not to get as much water splashing since most people don't use powder rooms to wash their face or brush their teeth, but this guest bathroom will be a full bath. that's good to know that you think it won't be a problem. good point about having a fan.

I love wallpaper and have it in most of the rooms in my house. Some of it has been there for decades and is still in excellent condition. Having said this, I have told my children that when they haul me out of here, dead or alive, to remove all the wallpaper before putting the house up for sale. People are terrified of removing wallpaper - think it will destroy the walls (if drywall and not properly primed, it might!), or will cost a fortune to remove. So I told them to only leave the wallpaper in two bathrooms - both are done in a Farrow & Ball strie paper and they make the two baths. As to wallpaper and using it in a bath or kitchen. One is no longer limited to "kitchen/bath vinyl wallpaper. I chose a gorgeous french documentary paper for my kitchen when we were moving here in 1984. I was worried about using it as a backsplash in my kitchen (which is what one did in those days), and a rep in the Brunschwig & Fils showroom in LA, told me to just send it to ResistFlame in Cincinnati. They would coat it with vinyl and I'd be good to go. I did this and have done it many times since. One has a choice of matte finish (my choice) or glossy, and it can be single/double/triple coated depending on the wear/tear one expects it to have to endure. I've always done single coating and that has been fine. It is totally wipeable/scrubable with a Dobie pad. The company is so easy to work with - I usually just have the paper drop-shipped directly to them. They coat the paper and then ship it to me. It's really quite reasonably priced.

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.

Was your house built in the 1940's or thereabouts? I'd spend the money on a better light and mirror, toilet holder, floor register. The last 2 may seem unimportant but these elements are registered in the periphery and help to enhance the overall feel of a bathroom. At least to me. Some suggestions if cost is an issue-- Main Bathroom: -If this is a main bathroom and makeup is applied in here, I would keep the walls white/cream to avoid casting weird colors on skin. No matter what color skin is involved. -Install a simple woven wooden/bamboo blind for the texture and feel that only wood can offer. -Get some inexpensive wooden frames and find old horticultural or birding books, tear out a page and place in the frame. Instant art. Mount on the wall above the toilet, wrap the framed montage over onto the wall by the window. - Work on finding a nice light and mirror. -You can also mount a wall hook to hold a plant or two, or suspend a glass terrarium above the tub, high enough that no one hits their head climbing out of the tub. Guest Bath: -Go crazy with wall color. I painted my guest bath Poseidon by Behr, couldn't be happier. I would lean toward blue or green. Blue and white are classic for bathrooms. I had a lovely light Aqua color in the guest bath for 15 years but I just needed a change. Paint is the least expensive way to update a space. -Same suggestions as above This is my guest bathroom. Read up on budget bathroom remodels, this site has good examples that can spark an idea: https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/bathroom-makeovers-20-great-before-after-transformations-for-every-budget-204360 You have a blank slate, so easy to let your imagination run wild. Have you looked at floor pops or adhesive floor tiles? I installed them for my MIL in her laundry room, shockingly easy and pretty inexpensive. https://www.thespruce.com/transform-bathroom-with-self-adhesive-tiles-1314779 https://www.wallpops.com/peel-and-stick-vinyl-floor-tiles-overview