Powder Room Panache

Bold color and antique finds make a big splash in any bath.

Cabinetry, doors, windows, faucets-modern building materials too often lack artful craftsmanship. Put them together in a little powder room, and the look is rather drab.

Michael Lyons knew he wanted something different when he designed his home in Dallas. "I like to break out and do something fun," he says. As an architect, Michael gets tired of the standard, narrow bath with boring features. "You can get really creative and still do a room tastefully," he says.

Breaking the Rules

Dark paint in small spaces is typically avoided, but not in this unique 6- x 6-foot square bath. Teal blue walls with red trim add a cozy Americana charm. To keep the space from feeling closed in, Michael designed a tall pyramid-shaped ceiling. Cheery butterscotch-colored ceramic tile flooring and a matching painted ceiling enhance the spacious feel.

Fabulous Effects

For unusual fixtures, look beyond the local hardware store. Michael found an Eastern European antique dressing table at a nearby shop and had it transformed into a stunning vanity. This marble-top bureau needed only a stainless steel sink and a little plumbing to make a dramatic statement. The dark wood finish helps the large piece recede, preventing its size from making the space feel cramped.

"The entire bath is over the top," Michael says. "It's the kind of space you walk into and say, 'Wow, this is wild.'"

ANN E. STRATTON

WHAT A GREAT DOOR

This antique once stood at an English bank. The cutout detailing looks like metal but is actually wood. Michael painted the frame red and added frosted glass and new hardware. The result is a grand entrance for a small bath that radiates with eclectic style.

Copyright Southern Progress Corporation Sep 2005
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