The traditional powder room remains a mainstay but this expert Seattle designer also sees the ‘family powder room’ in my projects. The continuing desirability of kitchen - great room combos requires a nearby bath for children, adults and guests when everyone is gathered nearby. The more formal powder room generally is located close to living and dining areas of the home.

I recently completed a photo shoot with my favorite photographer, Roger Turk, of Northlight Photography. In this large home with a young, active family there is the ‘family powder room’ adjacent to the kitchen and great room. Notice the step stool for smaller family members and playmates. The room manages to be stylish and functional.

At the opposite end of the home is the formal powder room detailed with a unusual vessel sink.

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Why is it that the room used most frequently by guests, the powder room, is often a design challenge? In my daily design work as a Seattle interior designer, I notice that the younger members of the family frequent the powder room since is it close by. And in older homes, the designated powder room can also be the bathroom intended for the occupant of the second or third bedroom ( a teen). Keeping the powder room tidy is problematic.

Historically, the powder room either did not exist or was crammed under the stairs resulting in a tight squeeze for the user and also for all the necessary equipment. Both in new construction and remodels there is notable placement of the powder room in a convenient location. Also, since the space is confined, homeowners often take some liberties in the design using unusual sinks, colors or wall paper, lighting and art.

Browsing showhouses and stories, I was attracted to the design of the powder room by interior designer Stephanie Fillbrandt in the San Francisco Decorator Showhouse. Her challenge was a narrow space only 38″ wide by 9′6″ long with a 12′ ceiling. Talk about a tunnel! She creatively used the narrowness to design a focal point at the wall opposite the entrance. By emphasizing the opposite wall, she actually caused it to seem nearer.

One of the reasons I enjoy participating in a Designer Showhouse is precisely what Ms. Fillbrandt demonstated. A Showhouse is an opportunity to design without compromise. Observing the work of a designer you see in a Showhouse encourages you to place trust in your designer, put aside fears and allow the designer to exercise his or her creativity.

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