Bigger, bolder is better in bath

I receive many questions regarding decorating small bathrooms and powder rooms. At first you might think that this tiny space — awkward to work in and not in view — doesn’t really require much. The opposite is true. A powder room is scrutinized by everyone who uses it. Your guests are on their own in there and can be as curious as a small child in a candy store. This is the place for imaginative wallcoverings and finishes or a punchy color. Splurge on taps, soaps and towels. Really strut your stuff.

Here’s what I did in my tiny main-floor powder room. For several years it had been decorated to replicate the look of a brightly colored Moroccan tent with an eye-catching blue-green-and-gold-painted pattern covering the ceiling and walls. I loved it, but it was time for a change.

This time I turned my attention to wallpaper — in particular, the popular large-print paper designs. Also, I wanted to go black-and-white, a classic combination that is timeless and will suit a modern condo or loft as perfectly as it will my Victorian bathroom. I discovered a company online that had an exciting collection of papers that would offer me that big design look. Ferm Living wallpapers (www.fermlivingshop.us) are almost all designed in Denmark and show a beautiful assortment of bold graphics historically rooted but with a modern edge. Ferm also has developed a custom wallpaper line called WallCollection, which will soon be available online.

For my powder room I designed my own pattern, a swirly damask, and Ferm blew it up, worked out the repeat pattern for me and turned my pattern into my own wallpaper. Today’s technology never ceases to amaze me. You can do your own customized papers from a vacation photo or a shot of your dog.

An alternate method of applying large designs that you can do yourself is to design and cut out your own large stencils. Photocopy your chosen image and enlarge it to the size you want. Then trace it onto a piece of mylar (stencilers’ plastic found in craft stores) and cut it out with an Xacto knife. Make two or three so that you can move along quickly.

The sink and toilet are designed by Toto. Their modern, bold shape balances perfectly with the delicate, yellow mosaic tile floor and the black-and-white oversize wallpaper. The effect of this tiny room is stunning. It now puts the rest of the house to shame! That’s the problem with decorating. It’s never-ending.

DEAR DEBBIE: My half-bath is very outdated. Two walls have dark paneling and two are wallpapered; the moldings and the cabinet (which I must keep) under the sink are dark wood. The tile, sink and commode are flesh color, and the countertop white Formica. Could you please help me with ideas for paint color and a new countertop? — Elizabeth.

DEAR ELIZABETH: The dark-color wood tones are drowning out the pale-pink sink and tiles. Remove the wallpaper and apply a good-quality high-hide primer to the panels and cabinet. The change will be remarkable. Now choose from a light palette that complements the pink. A mossy green will freshen it up with a slight retro flair.

I would choose a white solid-surface countertop. There is such a huge range of options, and it’s best to select this before your paint.

Debbie Travis is a columnist for King Features Syndicate. E-mail questions to her at house2home@debbietravis.com.