We called in one of our favorite designers to answer some of your burning bathroom questions, and the answers are in! We are so grateful to Clary for taking over our Instagram and lending her expertise to these spaces. Keep reading to hear all of Clary’s tips and answers (she might have even answered yours!)
Question (via @lucyhporter): What finish do you prefer in bathrooms? Are brass fixtures practical? Will the finish hold up? Favorite source for fixtures?
Clary’s Answer: I prefer polished nickel in primary and secondary bathrooms. To make a powder room a jewel box, I will incorporate unlacquered brass fixtures. I prefer Rohl or Waterworks. Unlacquered brass will patina, if you do not care for that, then polished brass is better for you :)
Clary’s Fixture Picks:
Question (via @rockinrobinb): Where do I find bathroom mirrors?! Do you have a go-to source? Can you pick your top 5 favorites go-to's?
Clary’s Answer: I source mirrors from all over, it really depends what type of bathroom it is! I like to find antiques or have mirrors made at a frame shop or online. Great online resources are Ballard, Pottery Barn, Serena and Lily, and Overstock.com.
Question (via @alisson.boyd): I’m worried I made the wrong choice going with the acrylic legs on the sink and that it’s leaning a little too Art Deco. Would love wallpaper suggestions to tie it all together and tone it down. Also, is that lighting fixture working or do I need sconces or something else?!
Clary’s Answer: Love your choices. I just think the bathroom needs some color. Wallpaper is always a great addition to such a small space. Here are some options…
Clary’s Wallpaper Picks:
- Schumacher Versailles Blue Wallpaper
- Schumacher Annabelle Vine Porcelain Wallpaper
- Schumacher Endimone Leaf Wallpaper
Question (via @byholley): Should my powder room marble counter have a backsplash?Also, tips for cleaning marble tile? And towel ring recommendation, please!
Clary’s Answer: For this kind of vanity a marble backsplash is not necessary especially with the subway tile behind it. Mild soap and water is the best way to clean marble. I would match your towel ring to the finish of your faucet. Here is one…
Clary’s Towel Ring Pick: Kohler Kelston 8” Towel Ring
Question (via Kendall): Can you help me pick towels for my downstairs bathroom?
Clary’s Answer: Love the wallpaper! Weezie towels of course. I would do a Green Piped Starter Pack with a matching Hudson monogram.
Question (via Jaclyn): We just wallpapered our powder bath and now I need help with a new light fixture and if I should hang anything on the wall behind the toilet. We have Weezie hand towels on the way with French blue trim and Perry embroidery. Thank you!
Clary’s Answer: Love the following light fixture– with fun paper, mirror, and vanity, it should be kept simple.
Clary’s Light Fixture Pick: Serena & Lily Everett Two Arm sconce in antiqued brass
Question (via Tempe): We're getting ready to put our house on the market and I'm looking for a rug/runner and garden stool for the remodeled primary bath - that we could take with us. Any suggestions? I was thinking of adding a window treatment but it seems silly to do that right before we sell - what do you think? Thanks!
Clary’s Answer: What a beautiful bathroom! I do not care for rugs in a primary bathroom– I think it takes away from the beauty of all the marble. Window treatments can be super costly, so I would let the new homeowner pick one that suits their style. To style for showings, I would hang a Weezie towel over the tub and lay pretty towels on the vanity. Make the style look warm and inviting that way. For garden seats, how about this one…
Clary’s Garden Stool Pick: One Kings Lane Nola Garden Stool
Question (via Jilly): Clary, we are painting our guest rooms a hint of green to match our guest towels. What color should we paint? Or a wallpaper accent might be fun too!!
Clary’s Answer: A couple of ideas! How about either of these?
Clary’s Wallpaper Picks:
- Brunschwig & Fils Les Touches in green
- A classic stripe like this one
Question (via Sarahbeth): My three children (2 girls and 1 boy) share a bathroom. I’m trying to decide on the trim, monogram font, color, and text so it’s suitable for multiple family members both girls and boys. Help, please!
Clary’s Answers: I love blue and think that is a very unisex color. The French blue Weezie trim is beautiful and the Hudson font is perfect. For the monogram, maybe a last initial?
Question (via Abigial): Our new apartment has a powder room with a dark slate sink. What are some interesting peel and stick or pre-pasted wallpapers that might work?
Clary’s Answer: Why not make it a jewel box?! I love these options.
Clary’s Wallpaper Picks:
- York Juniper Forest Wallpaper
- Seabrook Paisley Trail Blue Bell Wallpaper
- Magnolia Home Heirloom Rose Wallpaper
Thank you to Clary for sharing all of her tips with us! If you want to see more of Clary’s work, check out her recent Bathroom Diaries feature.
