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32 | Kitchen & Bath Design News | November 2015 By Kim Berndtson Fall Bath Remodeling Report P owder rooms are unlike any other room in the house, with their small footprint being both a plus and a minus when it comes to design. Although necessi - ties are minimal – only requiring a sink, toilet and nominal storage – fnding enough space for even a few items can be challenging. But since its footprint is small, people are oftentimes willing to go all out, splurging on more expen- sive products and stepping outside of their comfort zone. This month we asked several designers to share some powder room projects that show how they've showcased the pluses and overcome the minuses of these small but beautiful spaces. Thyme & Place Design LLC; Wyckoff, NJ Aside from its small footprint, what are the biggest chal- lenges in designing a powder room? "If a powder room with an especially small footprint has a very tall ceiling, it can be challenging to balance the proportions. And, some- times powder rooms in older homes can be located in odd places. Recently, I had one that opened up into the family room and kitchen. To create some privacy, I took a small portion of the powder room to create a small foyer." What is most exciting about designing a powder room? "Powder rooms are like getting dressed up…they are like jewelry. Very rarely will someone come into a home and use the master bath. Instead, they will use the powder room, so it should never be neglected. "A powder room is one place where a client can be whim- sical or fanciful. It can refect their personality, and its style doesn't have to match the rest of the home. Someone can live in a Tudor and have a totally funky powder room and no one would give it a second thought. I encourage clients to do something they wouldn't do elsewhere…to have some fun with the design, and not be afraid." What is your favorite design tip for powder rooms? "Make sure you have really good lighting, especially if there is no natural light source. I frequently use difused glass doors to allow more light into the space." What are some 'must-have' elements for any powder room? "There should be good lighting, easy-to-fnd neces- sities and great art. Great art elevates the powder room from being a utilitarian place. Because there is no shower or tub, you don't have to worry about humidity and you can include items you wouldn't put in other baths. Pay attention to ventilation. Oftentimes there is no heat or air condition- ing source in a powder room." Powder room baths can provide a unique opportunity for designers to get creative with eye-catching materials, interesting product applications and designs that take them out of their comfort zone. Sharon Sherman designed this powder room for her client's billiard room. It features a bow sided Wenge vanity with stainless steel- tipped feet, a mirror backed custom glass counter and a white bronze free-form vessel bowl. This powder room is part of the 2015 Designer Show House of New Jersey. Sharon Sherman combined new with old to create the beautifully soft and soothing space. The repurposed vanity cabinet features a new furniture base with plinth moulding. "The patchwork mirror adds a vintage feel, and although it doesn't provide a perfect refection, it's a fun piece that does ofer enough to put on lipstick and fx one's hair. The textured wall covering with a subtle sparkle shines like little stars." Photo: Peter Rymwid Photo: Marco Ricca