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Lake Tahoe Home: Treat your mountain home’s bathroom with the respect it deserves

Kristen Fencl
Have fun and take chances with your bathroom — think shower and sheek, not dull and boring.
Contributed photo: Decorating Den Interiors |

Read more in Lake Tahoe Home

This story has been adapted from the February/March edition of Lake Tahoe Home, a quarterly magazine produced by the staff at Tahoe Magazine and the Tahoe Daily Tribune, Sierra Sun and, North Lake Tahoe Bonanza and Tahoe Daily Tribune newspapers. Visit http://www.tahoedailytribunesierrasun.com to read a digital copy of the magazine, which is available now on newsstands throughout the greater Truckee-Tahoe-Truckee region.

Called all kinds of names — hall bathroom, powder room guest bath, half bath, little’s girl’s or boy’s room — it’s probably the smallest room in your home.

And, all too often, it’s the most blandly decorated room in our home. And worse still, it’s probably the room most often frequented by your guests.

So, why not let your imagination and creativity flow into overtime? Make a bold statement in the room. Work on creating a focal point. It’s not uncommon for these small room to have no window, and let’s face it, there’s not much beautiful about a toilet and vanity.



Here are a few ideas you might way to incorporate, when considering giving this room a complete makeover.

1. Start with the vanity: Replacing a plain laminate top with a beautiful granite surface might be just ticket. Or, how about considering some of the handsome furniture pieces that are not only graciously designed but fully functional as well. They are totally designed to give a small powder room a fabulous focal point.



2. Use dramatic wallpaper: It could certainly reduce the boxy feeling these small rooms are typically known for. Think about selecting something exciting and spectacular. Today’s faux finish wall coverings come complete with embedded jewels and crystals. Just think of the drama you can create.

3. Your flooring: How about replacing that vinyl with a new tile floor. Even a multi-patterned area rug might add just the right touch to this oft-used space.

So how about it? Get up right now and go and look in your powder room. Could it use a little makeover — or a large redo? If so, contact a remodeling expert to help you create a room your guests will be unable to stop raving about.

Bathroom Basics

Is your bathroom boring or minuscule? Don’t despair — colors and patterns can give a lift and fool the eye into seeing a larger space. Remember, it’s not the amount of space, but what you do with it that counts.

The first step in decorating and or remodeling your bathroom is selecting the theme or mood you want to portray. Once you’ve decided, then the creativity begins.

If you want to “open up” your bathroom, select a color scheme that is light — pale colors tend to recede and will visually expand the room. To achieve a sense of the dramatic, you may want to select rich, vibrant colors instead. Deeper colors appear to advance and the room will appear cozier.

Window treatments for bathrooms generally are required to supply function and beauty — privacy is a must. Pleated shades, vertical, cellular shades, silhouettes would all fit the privacy ticket.

All are resistant to moisture and can supply complete privacy. There are many fabric treatments to enhance your bath’s décor. Coordinating fabrics can even be used as shower curtains to complete the look.

So, what are you waiting for? If your bathroom is ho hum, wake it up with color and fabric — and who knows, maybe it will help you wake up in the morning too.

Kristen Fencl is an award winning professional interior decorator and owner of the Decorating Den Interiors located in Incline Village. Visit http://www.decdens.com/kristenf to learn more.


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