Bold design in a powder room: Great things come in small packages

In the world of design, size is not a limitation to creating impact. A prime example is this 1950s-era powder room, reborn after a burst pipe necessitated a renovation. The result? A bold, conversation-starting space that combines meticulous craftsmanship with fearless design.

At the heart of this striking renovation is a crocodile-skin etched granite slab, a statement piece that set the tone for the room’s adventurous theme. Achieving perfection required professional expertise. Designers spent hours painstakingly aligning the intricate texture and lines of the slab with the countertop return to ensure symmetrical precision. This attention to detail was essential to creating the cohesive crocodile/SOS theme.

The design team, Alicia Savin by Design, sourced complementary materials to tie the room together, including crocodile-skin textured wallpaper echoing the granite’s pattern. A secondary wallpaper, featuring brass and black crocodiles forming abstract fleur-de-lis motifs, paid homage to the home’s mid-century roots. Professionals meticulously planned the wallpaper placement to position the crocodile elements at eye level, maximizing its visual impact.

Details make this room unforgettable, with experienced designers ensuring no element was overlooked. Brass and emerald cabinet hardware added luxury, while nodding to crocodile hues. Coordinated brass fixtures, including a rain shower head, faucet, and even a specially sourced toilet lever, created a unified look. The tactile appeal of ASMR-inducing brass light switches added a sensory element, while a decorative brass axe on the wall reinforced the playful SOS theme.

Maximizing space while maintaining functionality required expert collaboration with Lower Coast Building Group. A frameless corner shower visually expanded the room, with black tiles featuring a subtle gradient texture that mimics crocodile skin. Grout lines aligned perfectly with the custom black-and-brass cross-pattern floor tiles, which were laid to appear effortlessly random. Even the floor vents were seamlessly inset into the tiles, disappearing from view.

This transformation highlights the importance of working with design professionals and builders capable of bringing a vision to life. Their expertise in materials, precise planning, and the ability to blend bold ideas with practical solutions were crucial to the room’s success.

The result is a stunning space where every detail works in harmony, proving that even small rooms can deliver big style when guided by professional expertise.

To view this project and other HAVAN Award-winning homes, visit havan.ca/awards.