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My Powder Rooms’ Makeovers!

Jun 22, 2015

I am so sorry that I haven’t updated you on our house renovations! It just seemed as though stacks of furniture were moving from room to room, dust was flying, and the decision-making was never-ending!!

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But we have made progress thanks to Goodchild Builders!!!! With things being put back in order, I want to share how a specific project has evolved! Today — a tale of my two powder rooms!

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This was my front powder before, which we redid about 17 years ago. At that time, I had so much fun designing this French scene.  If  you look in the top left corner of the door you will see two of the three cherubs that represent my children! Although this is beautiful, I was ready for a change: a cleaner, cooler and a bit more contemporary look!!

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The first change was to replace the carpet in the small hall and the inlaid floors in the powder with these wonderful reclaimed marble French floors from Chateau Domingue!! I plastered the walls a soft gray-blue to blend with the new floor’s veining.

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Loving all today’s hand-screened wall coverings, I used them as inspiration to paint a mural with the subtle gradations of the floor’s colorations. I am really please with this look!

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I love the way hand-painting looks over a plaster wall.  Unlike paint, the plaster allows the mural painting to recede into the plaster rather than lay flat on top — creating the most amazing shadowing effects!

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What the original picture of the bathroom doesn’t show is the pink stained glass window which was installed in the room during  our first renovation 28 years ago. In high school, I apprenticed at a stained glass company and they made that  window for me which I built into the house. At this time, I just still am not ready to part with it….

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So, I taped off the clear glass and the lead dividers and primed and painted the pink to white!! It always makes me so happy when I can refurbish a memory, making it work with a room’s new design!! Note: The clear glass stayed clear — the blue you see in the photograph is just the night sky outside!!

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Although I loved the room’s progress, something was still missing!! I wanted to try a new twist on this chinoiserie-style mural — and stencil on top of it!  This was risky even for me!!  If it didn’t work, I could not repair the plaster or the mural!  It would be a total redo!!  I found this geometric stencil that had a bamboo edge to it and thought it would be perfect — perfect to layer onto the mural and perfect to tie in the stained glass window.

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Testing the idea behind where the mirror would hang, Alex — Segreto’s stenciling master — applied a sample with a white pearl metallic paint. We thinned the paint so it would remain transparent!!

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Look! I was so happy with how it was turning out!!

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Well, you know how one thing leads to another!! Next I decided the counters and sink no longer work!

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I headed to Sweeny Marble Co. here in Houston to see if they had a remnant I could use — saving me of buying a full slab of marble for such a little space!! This is such an amazing place; most of their work is still done by hand.  It is a family-owned business that was handed down from father to son, and now his son is working there!!

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I fell in love with the old grinders that they still use that are stored on the wall!! They look like sculpture to me!!

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I choose a honed Bianco Bella marble piece for the countertop! As you can see, the cabinet got a makeover as well complete with silver leaf details!! This is such an easy paint treatment to do; it adds a bit of glamor to any space!! I also changed the hardware to crystal knobs from Acero Bella (so many pretties from which to choose)!!

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While shopping for hardware, I also picked up this wonderful facet and simple sink!  I love that the faucet is just one piece — leaving more space on the vanity for soaps towels and candles!!

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Now for lighting!  The ‘old’ powder bath had a gold and crystal fixture which I purchased in France. I replaced it with this reasonably priced, clean-lined glass fixture from Circa Lighting. The beautiful French fixture was successfully relocated to my closet!!

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To finish things off, I stopped by my favorite bath accessory and bedding store, Longoria Collection, to find the perfect hand towels, candle and soaps!! I find that Longoria has the best home selection in Houston. I happened to find the Lucite towel holder and the white linen like disposable towels on Amazon Prime!!  I’m in love with that site.  With unlimited selections and all products listed with reviews, it is a great place to pick up many items at good prices!!

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Now, step to another part of my home: This is my back powder 12 years ago. I still love the plaster walls and the ceiling painted to replicate the tile in the shower! So, I just wanted a simple update!

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Here is a detail of the beautiful design in the skylight; it is painted to look like the real tile in the shower!!

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Here is how I approached my easy update: I painted the stained cabinet and the French fixtures with a gray paint from the paint line Fine Paints of Europe.  It has a super shiny lacquer-looking sheen, but it is an oil-based product and is so much easier to use! I purchased the paint from Moxie ! I rounded out the update by adding white accessories  and towels(from Amazon Prime; shipped the next day)!! Both powder rooms were fun projects and both results have a new and fresh feel!!

In closing, a quick reminder if you are at the Dallas Market on Friday, June 26 between noon and 3 pm, please do come by the beautiful Aidan Gray showroom. I will be there singing my Segreto Series books (the first two of three). It would be so much fun to be able to say Hi! to you. Thanks so much!!

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28 Comments
  • The Enchanted Home
    Posted at 04:37h, 22 June Reply

    Fabulous job Leslie, the before was gorgeous too…but i totally know the feeling of wanting to change/update things……well done!

    • Leslie
      Posted at 04:53h, 22 June Reply

      Hi Tina!! Thanks! It is hard to change all the paint treatments which I loved so much, but change is good!! Hope you have a wonderful week!!

  • Carol
    Posted at 06:36h, 22 June Reply

    Lovely changes. Would you please share the source for the one piece faucet? I am in the initial stages of a powder room redesign and would love to use one. Thank you.

    • Leslie
      Posted at 05:55h, 23 June Reply

      Hi Carol! I got the faucets at Acera Bella in Houston. I fell in love with it the moment I saw it! Happy shopping!!
      Beth Bryan Maley

      8560 Katy Freeway, Ste. 160
      Houston, Texas 77024
      713-465-4800 (O)
      713-465-4801 (F)

  • cindy hattersley
    Posted at 10:04h, 22 June Reply

    Just lovely Leslie!!

  • Olivia
    Posted at 11:27h, 22 June Reply

    Leslie your home is so beautiful. That French scene was beautiful too. The changes that you have made are wonderful as well. I can’t get enough of finishes. If only we had access to classes that teach in your style closer to where I live. I live in Alaska, a long haul to anywhere. I have a talented friend that paints and fauxs in the Baton Rouge | New Orleans areas. She is my other faux hero. Ya’ll would get along so well. I enjoy your pictures and blog posts so much.

    Thank you for sharing beauty.
    Olivia

    • Leslie
      Posted at 05:53h, 23 June Reply

      Hi Olivia! Alaska is so beautiful! I went there as a graduation trip when I finished college! New Orleans has such great artists! I bet I would love her!! I am glad you like the blog–I really have fun sharing–xo Leslie

    • Tonya
      Posted at 07:24h, 21 July Reply

      Olivia, I’m looking for someone in the Baton Rouge area to do this type of technique. Can you share the person’s name?

      • Leslie
        Posted at 08:12h, 23 July Reply

        Hi Tonya!! I am so glad you like it! Unfortunately I don’t know any artisans in your area. I am so sorry I couldn’t help! xo

  • Karena
    Posted at 17:43h, 22 June Reply

    Leslie I am stunned by the beauty of you first powder room especially! The Chinoiserie is just gorgeous and so unique!

    xoxo
    Karena
    The Arts by Karena

    • Leslie
      Posted at 05:51h, 23 June Reply

      Hi Miss Karena!!It was so fun to do! I love layering finishes! I hope all is well with you sweet friend! xo

  • DEBRA @ 5TH AND STATE
    Posted at 21:17h, 22 June Reply

    oh my oh my!!!!!
    leslie i love your transformation and the brilliant effect of the stencil over the mural. can only imagine how gorgeous it is in person
    debra

    • Leslie
      Posted at 05:42h, 23 June Reply

      Debra! Thank you so much! You are so sweet! Always the hardest doing your own home!! xo

  • Design Chic
    Posted at 19:26h, 23 June Reply

    Stunning as always, Leslie. You never cease to amaze us with your gorgeous work…love all of the details!

    • Leslie Sinclair
      Posted at 05:42h, 29 June Reply

      Thank you!! Wish I could give you the personal tour!!!

  • Shirley@Housepitality Designs1
    Posted at 21:39h, 23 June Reply

    Must say that I did love the gorgeous vanity before; however, the changes you made are quite exquisite too…the wall is just amazing…such a most gorgeous transformation…

    • Leslie Sinclair
      Posted at 11:12h, 07 July Reply

      Hi Shirley!! It is fun to change for sure! I miss our Monday morning chats!!! This new website works differently! Hope all is well with you and yours!! xo Leslie

  • Kate
    Posted at 08:00h, 24 June Reply

    STUNNING. Thank you for sharing your inspiration, talent and finished results with us! It was a lovely start to my morning.

    • Leslie
      Posted at 06:48h, 25 June Reply

      Thank you Kate! You now made my morning! have a great day!!! Leslie

  • Cathy Zimmermann
    Posted at 19:42h, 26 June Reply

    Hello Leslie,
    Would you mind sharing what brand of White Metallic Paint your person, Alex used to Stencil your bathroom? My husband did a Metallic ceiling in our bedroom, but it looks streaky.
    I just love the stenciling in your bathroom and all of your other updates
    Thank you,
    Cathy Zimmermann

    • Leslie
      Posted at 04:54h, 15 July Reply

      Hi Cathy! I used Modern Masters. I have found when painting a ceiling solid with metallic paint is will streak unless you can spray it–It also can require up to 5 or 5 coats. You might faux on top of the ceiling to break up the lines–Hoper this helps!!!

  • Taylor Greenwalt
    Posted at 08:59h, 27 June Reply

    Oh my gosh…so pretty!

  • Kim
    Posted at 21:29h, 28 June Reply

    Love the stencil over the hand painting. Just fabulous. Love all the details in that space. Both bathrooms are just lovely.

    • Leslie Sinclair
      Posted at 05:44h, 29 June Reply

      Thank you Kim!! I have so much fun trying new things at my home. I still love paint and plaster now as much as I did when I first started!!

  • michele@hellolovelystudio
    Posted at 22:14h, 18 July Reply

    love these peeks at your powder rooms, leslie! and love your fearless spirit in acknowledging how your tastes have evolved and creatively responding. the mural work is stunning, and i love the grey you chose for the other vanity. bravo, friend.

    • Leslie
      Posted at 08:27h, 23 July Reply

      I was trying to make it lovely like you!!! I remember your post whenever I am working on things!!! xo to you and all the inspiration you give! xo

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