Stone bowl sinks
Due to the lack of components present in this cozy little space, the sink and mirror suddenly find themselves center stage, and while we generally think of mirrors as a decorative accessory dazzling visitors in a relatively new undertaking is the traditionally non-descript sink. Presently struggling to carve out its role as a focal point, this once uninspiring fixture is being thought of in a totally new perspective. Gone is the lackluster sink of the past and in it’s place has emerged an incredible work of art.

When shopping for a sink, material choices and styles abound at every turn. Your search will unearth bowls carved from blocks of granite, travertine, limestone and marble; reflecting earth tones of ocher, sienna and bone. From round and oval to rectangle and square, shapes will vary from the traditional to the exotic and from the primitive to the ornate. Rising to take its place as one of the most beautiful design elements within the bathroom is the vessel sink. These functional pieces of sculpture are captivating when set on pedestals or floated above jagged slabs of stone. Reminiscent of your grandmother’s washbasin, they are capable of successfully achieving numerous and diverse images. Placed atop a reflective sheet of glass, they appear to hover in space; the juxtaposition of new and old blending to create a unique dimension. Resting upon a ledge of weathered stone, they capture the primordial feeling of ancient Rome. An isolated sink of hand- carved granite positioned upon a floating vanity of slate will envelop your guests with a Zen-like serenity.

Cladding the wall
Because you may be able to afford a few little extras in this bath, you may want to consider treating all of the surfaces with stone tile. Walls can receive a chest-high wainscoting topped with an intricately carved rope trim or be completely encased from baseboard to crown molding. When cladding the entire wall surface in stone, visual interest can be added by breaking up the pattern through the use of dimensional trims or strips of contrasting stone. If you are setting the lower portion of your wall tile on a 90-degree angle, switch to a brick pattern or 45-degree angle above the break point for added diversity

Final thoughts
Due to its small nature, the powder bath gives you the opportunity to stretch your imagination without stretching your budget. This may be your only opportunity to incorporate those high-end specialty tiles you’ve been drooling over without breaking the bank. If there was something that you were forced to eliminate from the master bath due to budget constraints, reexamine using it on a smaller scale in the powder room. Remember, through the simple addition of upgraded or wall mounted faucets, decorative inserts, mosaics or clever pattern arrangements a rich and lavish feeling can be instilled within the room.