Powder Room Makeover

I've been wanting to change up my powder room for a while but a renovation was not in the budget - the tiny pedestal sink and toilet were staying, so this was purely a decorating gig.

I knew I wanted a gray/black/white colour scheme with some pop of colour (the colour to be determined at some point later on).  Given that I had very dramatic red & gold walls for the last 9 years, it was time to head in the opposite direction with something more soothing and refined, so I chose Benjamin Moore's Stonington Gray.

Here are some of the inspiration shots for the space:

Fornasetti Wallpaper 

Traditional Home

Roman Bath Center

Just Kidding!

Artistic Tile

It started with this light fixture which I found on sale at a local hardware store when I wasn't even looking for it.  However, when we pulled down the old ugly light track we found that the builder did not include a light box behind the drywall which is both unsafe and inconvenient for me.  I sent the hubs out to Home Depot to purchase said light box and proceed to install it (when he felt like it) before I could continue my work!

Before the pretty could begin, my work included learning how to cover up the holes... my first patch job, a new skill for my resume.

Back to the pretty... I wanted to match the deco vibe of the light fixture with the faucet and found this perfect little number the Dryden faucet from Delta - with similar clean lines and great shape it was a fantastic jewel for my tiny pedestal sink.  I love the sleek handles and curved spout...so modern.

Next came the mirror - when I stumbled upon this little number at one of my wholesale shops I knew it had to come home with me (even though it made me think of my friend @GlamaMama).  It's black velvet with chunky crystals encrusted all around - so luxe!

Then I found a sweet little capiz shell fixture and knew they were a match made in heaven - she had to come join her friend, the luxe mirror, in my petite WC.

Once the necessities were in place all I needed was some art.  I'm a big fan of art in bathrooms because even the tiniest rooms need some drama.  I knew I was going for black & white images and found one beautiful print on Etsy (center wall below) called Dreamscape by Imaginestudio.  The other items were two small art tiles (top)  from a 2008 Paris trip, a couple of canvases covered in floral wallpaper samples, and various photos/prints I had stashed in my office waiting for the perfect frame to adorn them.  A collage was born...

Dreamscape #2 by Imaginestudio on Etsy
Love it!!

Lastly, for the sake of coordinating, I had to change the towel bar and paper holder, which then meant changing out the light & electrical switch plates and floor vent cover too!  Lastly, I added a vintage wrought iron magazine rack to store extra TP and a couple of decor mags, of course.

So much for a budget makeover!  But, as far as makeovers go a powder room is a reasonable spend, albeit still a lot of sourcing to get it just right, and... I loved every minute of it.  Now the ensuite bath is calling...yikes!

What do you think?

Fun Colour Scheme: Living Room

As much as I love neutrals when decorating a space, like taupe and grey, I still think that every room needs some hits of colour to bring it to life.  Even with the most muted colour schemes its the accents of colour that make a statement whether through art, accessories, accent pieces, or even flowers.

Lately I've been enamoured with the combination of grey as a supporting colour with the drama of fuchsia and purple.  Here's a fun colour scheme for a casual and stylish living room.

Sofa fabric: Robert Allen Canasta;  chairs: Schumacher Tangier; wallpaper: Cole & Son, pillows: Designer Fabrics; rug: Hellenic, shades: Tonic Living Windswept

Although there are several patterns in this space, the "weight" of the patterns is equal and the neutral fabric on the sofa, which is the largest piece in the room, helps balance them.  I love the drama that a graphic wallpaper brings to a room and this one is soft yet makes a statement.

Painting out the back of a bookshelf is another great way to bring in hits of colour, which I also featured here.   I generally like to have the accent colour splashed around the space in about 30% of the room or in 3-4 different places so that it relates to something else in the room. I know it seems technical, but the formula works to make the space feel pulled together.

What do you think?
Would you be daring enough to mix up this much colour and pattern in your living room?