Make a Statement in Your Powder Bathroom
In many homes, the powder bathroom seems to be a forgotten space. We spend so much time designing our kitchen, great room and entry that we often overlook the powder bathroom. This is a small area that can create a “wow” factor for guests. You can also use this area of the home to do something entirely different from the style and décor of your home. It’s also a chance to splurge on some pricier materials you’ve always wanted and should typically be able to do in this smaller space.
Recently, we had a client in Paradise Valley that wanted to make a large statement in their powder bathroom. They host many activities throughout the year and wanted to create something unique to the style, flow, and functionality of their existing home.
Step 1 - Design
First and foremost, come up with the design and look you are hoping to achieve. Also, evaluate the size, spacing, and lighting of the existing powder bathroom. For example, when we met with our clients in Paradise Valley, we first noticed the poor lighting. It was so dark and dreary and was not inviting to guests or family members that use this space. We created a layout for new lighting in the ceiling and sconces on the walls. Second, find the focal point of the bathroom to creatively make an impact on the space.
Step 2 - Construction and Execution
In this bathroom, we removed the existing vanity, stone wainscoting, tile flooring and plumbing fixtures. We began completely from scratch with a blank palette. The home accompanied us to Telluride Natural Stone and Reclaimed Wood in Scottsdale, AZ. Here, we selected six 70-year-old wood beams that were retrieved from an old cotton barn in Arkansas. There was so much character to these beams and we just knew that this was perfect for our final design.
Our concept was to construct a custom free-floating cabinet vanity. We didn’t want it to touch the ground and wanted it to have a unique character to separate it from any other vanity in town. We contacted a custom furniture builder in Phoenix who helped us convert these beams into this wonderful custom cabinet vanity. We then installed the proper backing to hold the weight and installed our reclaimed wood beams. The same wood material was used to create a custom wood backsplash for the new wall mount faucet. A custom concrete tile floor was added and the entire bathroom was repainted off-white. This new paint color and the new finishes completely transformed the space. The white walls now reflect the lighting and space is so much more bright and inviting.
Step 3 – Completion and Feedback
We then added a custom mirror, sconces and décor to accentuate the space. Although the design of this powder bathroom is vastly different from the style of the home, the final product speaks for itself. The “wow” factor is captured the moment you open the door to this unexpected jewel. Everyone who visits this bathroom loves the detail and character of the wood vanity and countertop. It’s not too often you wash your hands over 70-year-old custom beams from Arkansas.
