Wallpapering a really small bathroom. Suggestions re pattern?

[Anonymous]

There's a small half-bath off the living room, it actually stands just inside the kitchen area. The flooring in both the kitchen and the bathroom is a marvelous slate grey, very earthy. The kitchen is a bold eggplant color and the appliances are all stainless steel.

The bathroom was painted a blue that turned out to be too, too dark. There are no windows. It's a disaster. There's a bright decorative silvertone mirror with a bohemian sensibility, stainless steel accessories, and grey towels.

There are also three shelves high on the wall above the toilet, where I store large art books. They are generally out-of-reach and packed in so tight that no one can make use of them, which I consider a good thing. Storage is an issue in the house, so I'm happy to have this small bathroom serve as a library, with the books as nothing more than decoration.

I want to do something fun (fun, fun, fun!!) in this little space. The rest of the house is jewel-toned or neutral, with leather sofas, African masks, a piano,...ethnic, polished comfort.

I'm tempted by a black/white/grey bohemian pattern with a Venetian mirror to bring space and light to that little room. I'm not sure how the books would play though. It might read as clutter, which I'd like to avoid. My mother is pushing a blue/yellow/green floral that I feel would be a bit dated.

I want to maintain a bit of consistency in terms of the design, but would like people to smile. I want a bit of lift, of fun. Our children's room is the most adult little space. My brother's whole house is robustly child-friendly, whereas our place registers a seriousness that I don't entirely mind but would like to avoid repeating here, if possible.

Any suggestions would be most welcome. Thanks!!

[Anonymous]

http://www.insidefabric.com/p-754821-inside-out-cs-by-cole-sons.aspx

[Anonymous]

Wallpaper is such a pain. Have you thought about just painting instead and using fun wall hangings or art to liven the place up?

[Anonymous]

Is there any remote chance you'll move in 2-3 years? If so, I would hesitate to wallpaper at all, it is a HUGE turn off to a lot of people.

[Anonymous]

"Painted wallpaper," which is really stenciling - tough work but you can do it for a small space. Or, painted black and white vertical stripes- that can look great if done right.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"Painted wallpaper," which is really stenciling - tough work but you can do it for a small space. Or, painted black and white vertical stripes- that can look great if done right.

NP here. I like the stripe idea-- but make it bold, stripes that are maybe 1.5 inches wide. The wider stripe would give it a funky rather than a classic or boring look.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"Painted wallpaper," which is really stenciling - tough work but you can do it for a small space. Or, painted black and white vertical stripes- that can look great if done right.

NP here. I like the stripe idea-- but make it bold, stripes that are maybe 1.5 inches wide. The wider stripe would give it a funky rather than a classic or boring look.

If you make the stripe the width of the tape that would be easy. A lighter 1.5 stripe flat paint with the body in gloss. this farrow & Ball suggestion for a stripe around the room along woodwork is interesting.
http://us.farrow-ball.com/inspirational-ideas/content/fcp-content

There also could be a wide stripe horizontally cruising at toilet height. We also have a very tiny PR and I painted it a color that well, would not use any where else. Another idea is a light off white wall and light grey glossy ceiling. PR's are fun to play with paint. I'd stay away from wallpaper since OP might have kids or guests whose aim might be off.

[Anonymous]

If you had a wallpaper you loved I might do it, but I think wallpaper in bathrooms is almost always a bad idea. Mold grows in the wallpaper paste from the dampness. Having stripped wallpaper in a couple of bathrooms and seen black mold underneath, I would really not do it.

[Anonymous]

I really like the idea of painting your own stripes whether they be verticle or horizontal. You wouldn't even have to do the whole bathroom. Maybe just pick a wall that is the most visible or open.

http://www.bhg.com/decorating/paint/decorative-painting/tips-for-painting-stripes/

[Anonymous]

Just saw tons of fun wallpaper at a design show in NYC. I listed links to all of the companies here:

http://www.babiesdesignfood.com/2011/05/icff-2011-wallpaper-part-ii.html

One was TEMPAPER, self adhesive, repositionable, temporary wallpaper. Hope my list of sources helps you!