Bathroom of the Week: Moody Yet Playful Style for a Powder Room
A designer captures her clients’ fun personalities with an updated take on traditional
Becky Harris
July 12, 2022
Houzz Contributor. Hi there! I live in a 1940s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe as "collected."
I got into design via Landscape Architecture, which I studied at the University of Virginia.
Houzz Contributor. Hi there! I live in a 1940s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe... More
The design of this powder room was inspired by the young family of five that lives here. “This family is playful and I wanted that playfulness to shine through in the design,” interior designer Stephanie Frees says. “We chose to add a fun, moody vibe to this room by using dark wallpaper.” At the same time, she wanted to give the room an updated version of traditional style that would be timeless.
Photos by Marina Storm of Picture Perfect House
Bathroom of the Week
Who lives here: A family of five
Location: Hinsdale, Illinois
Size: 25 square feet (2.3 square meters)
Designer: Stephanie Frees of Plain & Posh
The jumping-off point was Benjamin Moore’s Van Courtland Blue paint. “The powder room is located off a hallway that leads to an office painted this beautiful shade of blue,” Frees says. “The office is also within view of the kitchen and family room through French doors, so I wanted to tie the powder room to the office.”
With the blue paint color for the door and trim determined, her client chose Farrow & Ball’s Lotus wallpaper. “She has such an amazing eye and she’s also not afraid of color or taking a leap of faith. We collaborated really well together on this project,” the designer says. The bathroom measures 5 by 5 feet and is a great example of how well a large-scale pattern can work in a small space.
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Bathroom of the Week
Who lives here: A family of five
Location: Hinsdale, Illinois
Size: 25 square feet (2.3 square meters)
Designer: Stephanie Frees of Plain & Posh
The jumping-off point was Benjamin Moore’s Van Courtland Blue paint. “The powder room is located off a hallway that leads to an office painted this beautiful shade of blue,” Frees says. “The office is also within view of the kitchen and family room through French doors, so I wanted to tie the powder room to the office.”
With the blue paint color for the door and trim determined, her client chose Farrow & Ball’s Lotus wallpaper. “She has such an amazing eye and she’s also not afraid of color or taking a leap of faith. We collaborated really well together on this project,” the designer says. The bathroom measures 5 by 5 feet and is a great example of how well a large-scale pattern can work in a small space.
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With the bold black-and-blue wallpaper in place, Frees got to work on the other elements in the small space. The hexagonal marble floor tiles have a nice variety of gray and white tones. The pedestal sink and toilet both have classic traditional lines.
“These days it’s possible to have a really pretty toilet brush,” Frees says with a laugh. This one is housed in a shiny geometric canister.
Toilet: Memoirs two-piece elongated, Kohler
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“These days it’s possible to have a really pretty toilet brush,” Frees says with a laugh. This one is housed in a shiny geometric canister.
Toilet: Memoirs two-piece elongated, Kohler
Find a local wallpaper installer on Houzz
The artwork seen in the mirror’s reflection shows the homeowners’ love of bold and playful things. The mirror itself is a simple oval shape framed in slim black metal. Along with the vintage modern sconce, it brings a modern element into the room.
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“We went a few rounds trying to find just the right faucet for the space, and this one is perfect,” Frees says. The simple silhouettes of the spout and handles lean modern, while the polished nickel finish is classic.
“I think there’s a new type of traditional these days — it’s for people who want timeless style but don’t necessarily want their grandmother’s heavy mahogany furniture,” the designer says. “And I love doing fun things in powder rooms — you can add a lot of drama to a room where you don’t spend a lot of time.”
Faucet: Levoir, Brizo; sink: Memoirs 27-inch pedestal, Kohler
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“I think there’s a new type of traditional these days — it’s for people who want timeless style but don’t necessarily want their grandmother’s heavy mahogany furniture,” the designer says. “And I love doing fun things in powder rooms — you can add a lot of drama to a room where you don’t spend a lot of time.”
Faucet: Levoir, Brizo; sink: Memoirs 27-inch pedestal, Kohler
More on Houzz
Read more bathroom stories
Browse bathroom photos
Find a bathroom designer
Shop for your bathroom
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The wallpaper and tile textures are sharp! We have been having fun with wall textures and tile designs making their way back into powder rooms.
I appreciate the thoughtful way the wallpaper pattern was centered on the sink and light fixture.
This was beautifully designed. The colors, the wallpaper, each selection complemented the next. I wonder if the homeowners would share images of the adjoining rooms so we could see how this all fits together?