Home Renovation Series Part III: Lisa's Powder Room
Welcome back to our Home Renovation Series! In our last post in this series, my assistant, Tiffany, interviewed me about my kitchen renovation. For this post, she asked me questions about my powder room. It’s been a delight to look through these photos are reflect on the work and love that went behind this personal project. Before I show the final powder room reveal, I thought I’d sprinkle in some of my previous powder room projects. Enjoy!
High Style Renovation
Tiffany: Many people would love to redo their second half bathroom. It seems like a simple project because it's just a sink and toilet. Is it a simple renovation? How long did it take?
Lisa: Not really. The smaller the project sometimes the more details need to go into it. In the neighborhood I live in, the homes are 100+ years old. When they were being built, people did not have 1/2 bathrooms on their main floor, so you'll see a lot of times closets being used for powder rooms in these homes. Which brings its own challenges. For example, finding a small enough vanity for storage or sink that will fit just right in the corner. Since it’s smaller it’s always fun to add some excitement and wow to the room! I love using unexpected floor tile or wallpaper for this area.
Tiffany: What aesthetic did you have in mind when designing the concept in your head? Can you show us a sample photo you used?
Lisa: I love using a higher backsplash in kitchens and bathrooms. The marble was from a remnant that I found at a marble showroom. I fell in love with it and had to incorporate it into this room. I also loved the idea using a wall mounted faucet, as well, in this smaller space.
Tiffany: In our last interview you were candid about a choice you made with the woodwork that you wished you had done differently. It was refreshing to hear that even professionals like you at the top of their career are still sharpening their skills in each detail. Along the same lines, was there a moment during the powder room renovation when something didn't turn out the way you thought it would? If so, were you able to change it in time
Lisa: Honestly, I'm happy with the way this room turned out. I wish I had a little bit more countertop material but it was a remnant so there was nothing I could do there. I did push the contractor to make sure the soffit would go away. In the beginning, the contractor thought we would have to keep the soffit which is not the best look aesthetic pleasing option. Once we opened things up, they were able to remove that soffit which again makes the whole space feel larger.
Tiffany: Follow-up question to the last question: I'm personally worried about making a permanent decision I won't like later on. What happens when a client doesn't like something? Is the process of making decisions something you coach your clients along the way?
Lisa: In a perfect world I would love for the client to leave for 4 months and then come back once it’s all put together and done. A lot of times when a client sees something 1/3 done, or half done they still cannot see the vision. I always remind them to trust the process. Because that is exactly what it is...a process. Once the drywall goes up people get concerned that the furniture won’t fit, or once the cabinets go in they are concerned that they picked the wrong countertop selection. Its normal to have concern or worry about a decision. Ultimately I've been doing this long enough to know that these concerns are normal but remind them that it’s not complete and to wait until it’s completely done.
Tiffany: We talked about who you hired in our kitchen renovation interview. Did you hire the same people for both projects? Were they being renovated simultaneously?
Lisa: Yes everything was done at the same time.
Tiffany: Are there things about a powder room that some people don't think about but should consider?
Lisa: Where to put your accessories. Where is the towel ring going to go or the TP holder going to be installed? Storage is a conversation I like to have, too, with clients. It’s a small space but there are things that need to be stored in this space and you want to make sure you have a place for them.
Tiffany: You're famous for your powder room renovations and have a portfolio full of showcases. We sprinkled them throughout this post. Is there any powder room you've renovated that's stuck out to you? What was that experience like?
Lisa: I have a special space in my heart for all of them! Because each one is so unique and you can really have fun with powder rooms. I've done powder rooms with large print wallpaper or used shiplap and painted it a moody black.
