powder rooms = jewelry boxes

A few months ago - on a very rainy SF day - two of best girlfriends and I ventured off to the Legion of Honor to drool and faint over the Cartier and America exhibit.

While there were many delicious pieces to covet, one in particular rocked my world; a kokoshnik-shaped gemset platinum mounted blackened steel tiara.  The metal band was bordered with calibré-cut rubies, set with a band of old-mine diamonds above and rose-cut diamonds below…the icing on the cake? thirteen pear-shaped diamonds within calibré-cut ruby-set frames alternating with pairs of collet-set circular-cut diamonds.  Really?  Can I just put it on my sad, I’m-not-worthy, head for 2 seconds?!?   Sigh…..

In relation to a home’s interior, jewels always make me think of the Powder Room.  The Powder Room (lets call it the “PR” from here on out, cool?) has TONS of potential.  It is the jewel box of all rooms. when your guests come to your casa, it’s a sure stop for them – here is your place to shine…..to throw out some tricks (wallpaper, really great lighting, tile, stone, etc.) and not have to worry about being too committed to it.  It’s a small space that can pack quite the punch.

PR Rules:

1.    wall treatments – since you are usually dealing with a pretty modest space why not go for that wall-covering or tile that you DREAM about?  Less material = less expensive. 

2.    lighting – gosh, I love sultry, sexy lighting.  I also love my makeup.  Make sure your guests can really see themselves.  If you’re going to do sconces and an overhead (love) then switch them separately.  That gives your guests the control to go from mood to functional if need be.

3.    mirrors – make it fabulous.  That’s all.

4.    accessories – I’m a fan of NO towel bars if possible in the PR.  A chic tray to house cute paper hand towels is the way to go. 

5.    self-grooming products – DON’T DO IT. 

6.    TP – hide it in something cute if you don’t have a cabinet.

7.    art – put great pieces here…a piece(s) that will start a conversation. A small collection could find the perfect home in the PR.

I don’t have a PR by the way, but if I did, I may just model it after my favorite Cartier piece:

here a a few inspirational PRs:

brown design

david klienberg design - new york

joe serrins

lori erenberg design

manuel canovas wallpaper....

miles redd

monique lhuillier's los angeles powder room

nancy corzine's powder room (note: leave the lid down)

loving this wallpaper and duravit pillbox toilet

rebecca bradley interior design - country house chic

steven gamble - botanic beauty!

steven volpe's paris PR - simple and perfect.

If the Cartier and America show hits your neck of the woods, i highly recommend checking it out:

gloria swanson

grace kelly

liz

yes, please.

Soundtrack?  Diamonds Are a Girls Best Friend, of course.