apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

The cabinets and fixtures read traditional and the table/chairs are sharp edged modern. Not sure what you like?

Can you share an inspiration picture?

Right now you could go ANYWHERE with such a clean slate.

That towel is too big for a bathroom but if you love that pattern you could stencil it onto a wall. Dark is fine for spare bathrooms becuase you're going for flattering light not acurate light.

Maybe hang a ring towel holder next to the sink to make it easier to dry off. Some storage somewhere to put feminine products etc for guests. Behind the door perhaps?

I'd also reccomend an oval mirror but i realized you JUST moved in.

You really need some art or accents on the wall and I agree with Dahila that the towel is too big for the space. Other than that the room has really clean bones to work with. Have fun with the space.

Small half bath is a great place to try a dark paint color or a bold wallpaper- experiment with something you would be afraid to try in a larger living area!

Paint! Rugs! Color! And that dining room table screams "bachelor pad" and looks...out of place.

1) Choose an accent color. Use it as an accent in your kitchen and as wall color in your bath.

2) Hang art above your toilet.

3) I like your kitchen table, but I would switch out the chairs and use ones with a wood element to work with your cabinetry. The chair legs seem like they may be a tripping hazard too.

Personally, I'd paint the bathroom a deep, saturated jewel tone -- like peacock bluish-green maybe. I'd replace the mirror with something that has a substantial ebony wood frame...and then stick with black and white accents. i agree that towel is too big -- you don't need a full size towel in a half bath -- so replace it with some lush white hand towels.

In the kitchen, that table needs to go away. I'd replace is with a large, counter height stainless steel restaurant prep table. It will increase your prep space and you can put stools around it for informal dining. Most of these type tables have an shelf, I'd put large bamboo baskets there for storage and to add texture. Some pendant lights would really anchor it in the room.

The place is pretty stark right now. You need to add more texture and softness. Curtains framing the kitchen window and rattan blinds to filter the light would help...and maybe a soft jute rug in the bathroom.

Looks that the place has good bones -- just need to inject some personality. Good luck :)

I agree with other posters' advice that deep or rich tones generally work well in a small powder room like this. However, if we assume that the commode and pedestal sink will remain porcelain white as they are, and the floor will retain its sandy beige tile, I think a dark or saturated colour will be too contrasty.

The existing fixtures (if they are staying) are rather traditional, so I'd choose a more traditional (but non-pastel) powder room colour like Ralph Lauren Duchess of Windsor Pink (which is actually a pinkish tan). Paint the ceiling the same colour. Then exchange the over mirror light fixture for two lower wattage sconces on either side. You will get more flattering light and the overall effect of a deep colour without making the white porcelain stand out against a dark background. Match your white trim to the shade of the porcelain. Towels and rugs in espresso or rust will keep the pink from going over as 'frou frou.' A grouping of framed prints over the toilet (try to avoid children, flowers, and clowns) and a framed mirror will add finish.

I'd say you definitely need some colour in that kitchen. Find a glass or ceramic tile that you love for the backsplash/under cabinets area and key your decor colours to that. You could go vibrant quiet as you like, since there is not much colour in the room as is - I like the amber and sandstone colours here http://glasstile.com/default2.aspx?flashAutoMode=C_1&initPage=product_intro.html .

I'd also suggest you replace the table with a counter height island with room for working, storage and dining. Your kitchen is quite large, but the floor space seems not well-used.

I too had one of those bathrooms in my former house. You don't mention your budget but a coat of paint and less than $200 in accessories can go far.

(1) Use a large round or oval mirror for the wall instead of the standard rectangle. It helps de-emphasize the small, boxed in feeling of tiny 1/2 baths. For the frame, I'd go frameless or stainless/brushed nickel. Make sure the miror is as wide as the sink.

(2) Add color to those walls as a contrast to the black and blond of the kitchen. Pick up the other accent color used in the next closest room. That said, don't go with a dark color. While I have seen some stunning dark 1/2 baths, the white fixtures will really jump out.

(3) As for the light fixture, towel rods, etc., pick something with cleaner lines - nothing scrolled or etched.

Good luck and please show us the final design.

I think a powder room is the perfect place to go crazy. In one of my favorites: the homeowner covered the walls in all sizes of antique framed photographs that she bought in junk and antique stores. Not enough humidity to damage the photos, and it made the little room amazingly interesting. The walls were painted a sort of old gold color. The frames were mostly gold, black, or wooden. The key is to cluster them tightly but at random. She used white linens monogrammed in gold,

In the powder room I'd love to see a dark color on the walls and maybe one wall in a fun graphic wallpaper. Another fun option would be to do a magnetic chair rail and use it to post photos, artwork, messages.

I can't tell if the kitchen has a backsplash but if it doesn't I would add one. If your style is modern I'd try one of the stainless options at modwalls.com. If you like more traditional then perhaps simple white subway tiles.

I agree with most of the others...the half bath is the perfect place to try something really bold you wouldn't try anywhere else...a huge graphic wallpaper especially. Something that really just envelopes the person when they pop in.

You could add character in the bathroom in the following ways:

1. Go traditional with wainscoting ($8 a sheet at Home Depot) and a chair rail. Paint the wainscoting a crisp shade of white and the walls above any color you choose. A gorgeous light-tish shade of blue would be nice. But you could also do wallpaper, painted stripes, just about anything.

2. Replace boring mirror with something funky and original from Anthropologie or a vintage store. The effect of a fabulous mirror in that bathroom will be like wearing a simple H&M dress but carrying a $2,000 designer bag. You could also get an ornate mirror from a junk shop and paint it shiny black.

3. To tie in the mirror, add a grouping of black-framed white-&-black photos over the bathroom toilet. Stick with an odd number of frames.

4. Get that gorgeous towel in a hand towel.

5. A fluffy white rug will tie it all in together.

And I agree, nix that dining room table for an island if you can. The table is jarring in that space.

Good luck!

A mirror like this one is what I'm talking about:

http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=67413&navAction=jump&search=true

Get the same effect with a can of glossy paint and an old ornate mirror.

Dark Grey in the bath. Like a very soft charcoal. Lighter grey hand towels