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One decorative aspect of this charming Powder Room, besides the pretty celadon green striped wallpaper by Brunschwig & Fils, is the artwork. I have admired this Powder Room, which belongs to dear friends, because it is adorned with art that is meaningful to them. The medley of assorted silhouettes and miniatures, collected in London by their family years ago, adds to the charm of the room. The history of each piece has been dutifully recorded on the backside, which is a clever idea to remember. The two watercolors that hang over the linen guest towels were painted by a family member. The two seashell gouaches are by John Gould, who is considered the “Audubon of Australia.”
Add even more charm to your Powder Room with lovely artwork!
Typically, most guests do not expect to discover important artwork in a Powder Room! While silver picture frames, replete with meaningful photographs, can pique the curiosity of your guests in other rooms, pretty Powder Rooms can be the perfect backdrop to display some of your most alluring artwork for guests to admire unexpectedly... albeit privately!
Both photographs and artwork are what I refer to as “subtle bragging rights,” where nothing is overtly prominent but instead, discreetly intriguing to others. Photographs in your house offer a peek at important moments. Artwork, especially when displayed in a Powder Room, can be a surprise, revealing your interests, your family background, or personal stories.
A Powder Room is intended for guests. This is where ladies powder their noses and apply pink lipstick in private! Think of the walls as premium space to be clever and reveal your treasures, whether lavish or simply what you hold dear. Typically, Powder Rooms do not have a shower or tub, hence artwork will not be at risk from an abundance of moisture. A well-appointed Powder Room can easily be transformed into a “gem box,” a private art gallery, where one can stop to admire artwork up close, without being nosy.
A peek at some of the silhouettes from London.
Here is my story, a case in point! While attending a lovely dinner party at a distinguished historic house, which has belonged to the same family for over 300 years, a stunning discovery was made. During cocktail hour, the Director of a prestigious art museum returned from the Powder Room and asked the host what he knew about the watercolor hanging near the sink. “Yes, it was purchased by my grandfather years ago on his travels,” he responded. The signature was diminutive and hard to decipher. The Director recognized the artwork, which was painted by a world-famous artist and was exceptionally valuable. Now, this is another reason to hang artwork in your Powder Room. It may be discovered as being more prized than you ever imagined… wishful thinking, but amusing to ponder, right?!
Powder Rooms tend to be rather feminine in decor, but not ours! Because Fox Hall, our c. 1803 house, was built before indoor plumbing, our Powder Room was cleverly slipped in under the main staircase. The door leading into it is part of the Hunt Room bookcase, so the dark green Scalamandre wallpaper with Jack Russell terriers seemed fitting to complement the burgundy walls and horsey theme in our adjoining Hunt Room. Each piece of the artwork displayed has an intriguing story on how and why we collected it.
The art you display will create a brief and unique experience for your guests to relish and remember. Your choice of an exceptional mirror and soft lighting in the Powder Room will contribute to the sparkle of your guests and the art too!
The pilot episode for my public television series, You Are Cordially Invited, was filmed at a grand house, Eyrie Knoll, in West Hartford, Connecticut. The owner's attention to detail in every room was beyond exemplary, along with their distinguished collections of art and porcelain (an exhibit at The Metropolitan Museum featured their exceptional collection of du Paquier porcelain, Vienna 1719). I chose to include this Powder Room in the episode because when Julia Child was their dinner guest, she exclaimed that it was the most beautifully well-appointed Powder Room she had ever visited… a stunning compliment that the hostess reveled in, and rightfully so! Note the elegant hand-painted design on the wood floor and cabinet, the attractive mirror, and shaded electric candlelights.
Grandmillennial Tip:
Keep in mind the paint or wallpaper colors in your Powder Room to complement the artwork, creating a calm but captivating oasis for your guests.
Whether you do indeed have a collection of museum-worthy artwork, or simply hang a multitude of porcelain birds on wall brackets, framed children’s artwork, black and white fashion photographs, a medley of paintings, or a collection of something meaningful, consider salon-style hanging as an option, where the sky's the limit and the walls can be embellished top to bottom.
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