Cabinet of curiosity
Q: My husband and I recently purchased a Victorian house that was renovated in the late 1980s. Needless to say, the kitchen and bathrooms need updating. On the main floor there is a narrow powder room with a toilet and sink. Both need replacing.
I would like to know if you have any ideas for a small powder room that would give character to a great old house that just needs some tender loving care.
A: I have a fondness for majestic old Victorian homes. To me, that type of home stands proud, exuding elegance like grand old dames of a bygone era. Lucky you.
My inspiration for your powder room actually comes from a design firm from another area with a heavy concentration of Victorian homes: San Francisco. Olive Juice Designs (olivejuicedesigns.com) designed the narrow powder room pictured here for clients transplanted from New York City.
I spoke with design principle Lisa Konjicek-Segundo, who told me this powder room is tucked away at the back of the house and her clients like that it’s a surprising gem when guests open the door.
Lisa sourced the New York subway platform image (the couple appreciates the hometown tribute) from Dreamstime.com and had it printed in a wallpaper format to precise measurements through Megaprint.com. There are a number of companies that have thousands of stock photos you can choose from if you like this idea, and you can probably find one that could use a favourite photo you’ve taken.
Lisa’s image works perfectly to provide the bathroom a visual depth that could not otherwise be achieved with paint or two-dimensional wallpaper. The commode looks as if it’s sitting on the platform; it’s a cheeky detail that gets guests talking.
If a photo mural is not the look you’re after, consider an elegant wallpaper, or do as I once did for a client and paste the pages of a book onto your bathroom wall.
I think these images would work perfectly for your period home but you may have an idea better suited to your tastes.