Miscellaneous
Welcome to the Interior Design Today radio show with Mary Knackstedt.In our 26th episode, Mary talks about powder rooms.Powder rooms are quite different from bathrooms. They can be fun. They're something that we use occasionally and we always have them ready for our guests. We can incorporate some fine art into our "surprise" space. Powder rooms can be in many parts of your building, but one of the things I try to be careful of is that I never want them close to an area we are using for conversation or other purposes. I always like to tuck them around the corner or have them out of the main trafficked areas. We really consider their function a bit more private.When you open the door of that powder room, let's make sure it makes a statement. Let's make it fun. We don't need to worry about the light for shaving or doing cosmetics, and we don't have to worry about showering or bathing issues. This is strictly a space we use for a few minutes. We can make it a surprise so that when your guests return from the powder room, they're smiling because they've seen something artistic, fun, and beautiful.At one point, I had my most valuable painting in my powder room. It was really perfect there, and also it was rather protected, away from a great deal of light. I thought it really could be appreciated in that environment where it was a single object which we could really concentrate when viewing.What does your powder room look like? Is it really convenient? Do we have the little things that make it practical? Is it large? Is it small? Normally they are not terribly large, but very often we can incorporate a nice piece of furniture, a special vanity or chair, where one might put on boots or adjust a garment. More than that, look at the mirror, the lighting, and the artistry. This is a chance to really incorporate something that is exciting. One of the bathrooms we did which was not terribly large, we incorporated a sizable mirror. We didn't want lighting fixtures exposed, so we used fiber optic, and the light spotted through crystals on the mirror. It was very dramatic and very artistic. Yet, it made the space look much larger and very contemporary. I also love to light a powder room in different ways. One that we're working on now has a raised vanity with just a small amount of light peeking from the base of the vanity. This could be left on when you're not using the room to make it easy for guests to find the space.Look at your lighting. What is it doing? Is there flexibility? Is there a way that I can leave a small amount of light on when we're not using it, but yet, let guests see that it's available? If someone chooses to fix a contact or touch up their cosmetics, they can illuminate the room at a brighter intensity and take care of whatever that need might be.Your powder room should fit the spirit of your house and look like it belongs there, but also it is a space that we can do something that is a real surprise. Make your powder room fun, enjoyable, and spirited.Please subscribe to the video or audio version of the radio show via iTunes or listen to it at http://interiordesigntodaypodcast.blogger.com via the following MP3 Link.