By definition, a powder room is a small bath for guests with a sink and toilet, but not a tub or shower. My powder room has gone through the most makeovers in the house.   A tiny bath for just one person is hard to keep light and airy.  I’ve painted the walls, the ceiling, tried different art work, mirrors and finally I decided the only solution for this room was wallpaper.  And, not demure paper, but the type of wallpaper Blanche Devereaux would have (you know, the gal on Golden Girls?).

Growing up, my mother loved wallpaper.  At 4617 Meadowbrook Drive, my childhood home, we had a distinctive bamboo green and white paper in our entry way.  So it was probably imprinted on my brain since birth to have bold wallpaper in my own home.

It’s a light aqua blue, with a grass cloth texture and shimmery gold, bronze palm fronds.  I knew the minute I received the sample in the mail it was what a I wanted.

I added Mr. Bee’s collection of water color prints, each painted by his father of his childhood home in the Cotswalds of England – one large print above the toilet and four more prints on the entry wall.  I framed them in matching gold frames with a light blue mat.  It’s lovely to walk into the room and see my father-in-law’s signature on his art.

We installed a sink and cabinet from Home Depot.  A brass towel ring and toilet paper holder from Pottery Barn, a candlestick lamp, and fringe hand towels.  The mirror was Mother’s and is probably 50 years old.  I love the gold, ornate features.

But, something fun as an unexpected treat for your guests…

I placed a blue and white ginger jar on the counter and had my friend Megan Clegg calligraphy “Take One” on a tag sale sign..and when you open the lid…

A bowl of sour cherries!  One of my favorite things.  I thought it would be a nice gift for my guests – kind of like after dinner mints.  And another conversation piece…A bathroom guest book from Knock Knock — please sign in while sitting down.  My friend Terry has this book and I couldn’t wait until I got one for my powder room, too.

It’s the funniest book…guests can rate your amenities, leave comments and doodles.  After a party I love to see what messages people left.

So, that’s the powder room.   Hope you enjoyed the tour!