This picture is blurry but I think that’s appropriate. Debra titled it “Strong Thighs” and it depicts what is sometimes not-so-affectionately referred to as a “squatter.” This one is in Hong Kong in a public restroom. Hence, its cleanliness. Most of Hong Kong’s public face (including, startlingly, its subway stations) is spotless. But clean or not, aren’t we glad that squatters are not de rigueur in the good ol’ US of A? Which brings us back to the SoMoToHo powder bath.

When last we visited, I showed you some of the inspiration pieces that Debra was considering for the powder. Here is another:

Debra thought that this small room needed some bling and that lighting was the way to accomplish that. This was especially true considering that she chose Benjamin Moore Day’s End for the paint. As the pic below illustrates, the light from the cans in the ceiling gets sucked up by the walls pretty quickly. You’ll see at the end of the post how she solved the problem.

You may recall that this is the same shade that we used for the connecting door between the kitchen and the laundry room, and for the kitchen side of the double doors that lead to the entry hall (and, coincidentally, the powder). It also echoes the tones of the entry hall, itself, and the library, which is just across the entry hall from the powder. Thus, there is some continuity to the choice; it connects the whole front section of the house.

You can see how the contrast of the rich, dark walls with the wood flooring creates a palate for some sparkle and, perhaps, a touch of the exotic.

Keeping the trim the same color as the walls serves to de-emphasize the woodwork and keep the small space from becoming too busy.

Clean white really was the only appropriate option for the fixtures. And the pharmacy-style sink appears substantial without taking up too much visual space. (A shout out to Joe with Mike Creager’s Service Company Plumbing for perfect service – particularly with the sink installation.)

The Lucite and chrome door handle by Emtek continues the sparkly but airy theme. And the rug from West Elm – the rug grounds the whole space with color that plays wonderfully off of the dark walls.

Lucite is repeated for the towel bar and the toilet paper holder. Add cut-glass globe pendants for the lighting bling, a mirror with bevels and angles to reflect that light in different directions, grey plugs and switches with brushed-nickle plates, and artwork on the walls and it’s finished.

This room came together very quickly – less than 10 days. A thank you to Pierce Decorative Hardware and Plumbing for being there and being great.

And I think that those of you who were enamored of the padded paisley walls will at least admit that this look is cleaner and more in keeping with the rest of the SoMoToHo. Take a look back at some of the previous posts. You agree, don’t you?

Many thanks for sharing the revitalization of the powder. We have 3 more bathrooms – full ones – to redo in the SoMoToHo. But I suspect that the next installment will deal with giving the upstairs fireplace a face lift. I hope you’ll follow that procedure with us.

Thanks, again, for reading!