Colorful Confetti Wallpaper in a Cheerful Powder Room
A brushstroke wallcovering, a lacquered coral vanity, and touches of gold and acrylic brighten this small bathroom
Becky Harris
August 17, 2017
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
Photos by Misha Hettie
Powder Room at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple with three young children
Location: San Antonio
Size: 30 square feet (2.8 square meters)
Design team: Julie Bradshaw and Crystal Romero of Bradshaw Designs
Backstory: This Texas powder room was part of a whole-house remodel. The room was a blank canvas, but not for long — big brushstrokes were about to cover it.
Style: “We had always planned on wallpapering the walls for this room but didn’t have the selection nailed down during construction,” interior designer Crystal Romero says. “The story of the wallpaper selection is all about working on the right job at the right time. We had just received the memo of this wallpaper, and I instantly knew it belonged in this home. The homeowner has such a fun and vibrant personality and this wallpaper seemed like a perfect design match.”
The brushstroke pattern features an array of beautiful, bright colors. With the perfect paper chosen, the rest of the finishes fell into place.
Wallpaper: Arty, Pierre Frey; Camille sconces: Visual Comfort
Powder Room at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple with three young children
Location: San Antonio
Size: 30 square feet (2.8 square meters)
Design team: Julie Bradshaw and Crystal Romero of Bradshaw Designs
Backstory: This Texas powder room was part of a whole-house remodel. The room was a blank canvas, but not for long — big brushstrokes were about to cover it.
Style: “We had always planned on wallpapering the walls for this room but didn’t have the selection nailed down during construction,” interior designer Crystal Romero says. “The story of the wallpaper selection is all about working on the right job at the right time. We had just received the memo of this wallpaper, and I instantly knew it belonged in this home. The homeowner has such a fun and vibrant personality and this wallpaper seemed like a perfect design match.”
The brushstroke pattern features an array of beautiful, bright colors. With the perfect paper chosen, the rest of the finishes fell into place.
Wallpaper: Arty, Pierre Frey; Camille sconces: Visual Comfort
Before: Prior to the renovation, the powder room had dark red wallpaper, a low popcorn ceiling and a low wall-to-wall vanity a with cultured marble top.
Bright spot: The room also had a vintage Sherle Wagner sink with a gilded Greek key border that the designers believed to be original to the 1969 house. “We knew that we wanted to incorporate it in the new design,” Romero says.
Bright spot: The room also had a vintage Sherle Wagner sink with a gilded Greek key border that the designers believed to be original to the 1969 house. “We knew that we wanted to incorporate it in the new design,” Romero says.
Problems: “The existing ceiling was low because of some overhead ductwork, which was relocated in the remodel, so we were able to achieve a slightly higher ceiling,” Romero says. “Even a few inches can make a big difference!”
As with most 1960s bathroom vanities, the height of this one was low. “And the countertop extended under the window, which seemed too close to the toilet, like a shelf to lean on,” Romero says. (You can see part of the toilet seat lid at the bottom left of this photo.)
Solutions: The designers decided to ditch the wall-to-wall vanity and design a freestanding piece centered on the wall to the right of the window. “This meant that we now had less space for drawers and storage, so the solution was to add drawers directly below the sink,” Romero says. “The cabinetmaker made a U-shape drawer box that is notched around the sink drain.”
As with most 1960s bathroom vanities, the height of this one was low. “And the countertop extended under the window, which seemed too close to the toilet, like a shelf to lean on,” Romero says. (You can see part of the toilet seat lid at the bottom left of this photo.)
Solutions: The designers decided to ditch the wall-to-wall vanity and design a freestanding piece centered on the wall to the right of the window. “This meant that we now had less space for drawers and storage, so the solution was to add drawers directly below the sink,” Romero says. “The cabinetmaker made a U-shape drawer box that is notched around the sink drain.”
Countertop, sink and faucets: The designers honored the fabulous vintage sink by installing new brushed-gold faucets and a honed Calacatta Gold marble countertop and backsplash. The mitered countertop is 2½ inches thick, giving it a stronger presence. The faucet set is a wonderful match to the Greek key border and has a modern silhouette.
Mirror: “We looked at five different mirrors, including a hexagonal shape and starburst pattern, before settling on this one because of the subtlety of the Lucite frame,” Romero says.
Faucets: Purist, Kohler; countertop install: Delta Granite and Marble; brass-capped mirror: Anthropologie; see more wall mirrors
Mirror: “We looked at five different mirrors, including a hexagonal shape and starburst pattern, before settling on this one because of the subtlety of the Lucite frame,” Romero says.
Faucets: Purist, Kohler; countertop install: Delta Granite and Marble; brass-capped mirror: Anthropologie; see more wall mirrors
Vanity: Bradshaw Designs designed the custom vanity and gave the plans to its cabinetmaker. “We draft out most specifications for cabinets — in this case, the taper size and styling of the legs on the cabinet,” Romero says. She plucked the color straight from the wallpaper, choosing Benjamin Moore’s Starburst Orange in a lacquer finish.
Hardware: The hardware dresses up the cabinet even more and plays off the acrylic on the mirror and sconces. The designer found the acrylic and satin brass pulls from Etsy seller LuxHoldups.
The floor: The flooring is the same finished white oak installed throughout the house during the remodel.
The client’s great idea: “We had several options for the cabinet color, including a piano-black lacquer sample, but ultimately settled on the coral color because orange is her favorite color,” Romero says. “This homeowner is so easygoing and fun to work with. What kind of person says yes to a paint color that is more suited for nail polish? Not many people. Her willingness to take a risk with us deserves some praise!”
Trim paint: Decorator’s White, Benjamin Moore
Contractor: Mauze Construction
More
Considering Wallpaper? Here’s How to Get Started
How to Choose the Right Bathroom Sink
Browse bathroom vanities
Hardware: The hardware dresses up the cabinet even more and plays off the acrylic on the mirror and sconces. The designer found the acrylic and satin brass pulls from Etsy seller LuxHoldups.
The floor: The flooring is the same finished white oak installed throughout the house during the remodel.
The client’s great idea: “We had several options for the cabinet color, including a piano-black lacquer sample, but ultimately settled on the coral color because orange is her favorite color,” Romero says. “This homeowner is so easygoing and fun to work with. What kind of person says yes to a paint color that is more suited for nail polish? Not many people. Her willingness to take a risk with us deserves some praise!”
Trim paint: Decorator’s White, Benjamin Moore
Contractor: Mauze Construction
More
Considering Wallpaper? Here’s How to Get Started
How to Choose the Right Bathroom Sink
Browse bathroom vanities
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How can I order a sample of this wallpaper? LOVE it - great job!!
Absolutely wonderful!! I love orange and this bathroom just makes... happy!!!!
How tall is the backsplash? Usually I see splashes 4 inches but this looks a bit taller and I love it. Great job!