You know my love for chinoiserie mural wallpaper by now, right? I have used it in many many china cabinets and I have been wanting to use one in my house.
You won’t believe that the last four years of my life, in the year 2025, I was living with red walls from 1990’s! Yes, the main 1/2 bath that was closest to the living room and kitchen had RED walls.
The red walls of the 1990’s were living fearlessly and openly in MY house. MY HOUSE!
The red powder room wasn’t just this ugly 90’s red, it also had this ornate, ugly dark brown vanity with black granite (of course, why not?) and brown mirror.
Just layers of dark, dated colors and orange brown floors to boot.
I disliked this bathroom so much that I avoided going in 100% of the time. So, I happily took the additional steps to the full bathroom on the other side of the house when I needed to.
I have never not thought of redoing that bathroom when I stepped into it. Yet, I lived with it from 2021 through 2024 and almost into 2025.
Finally, we committed to redoing the whole space so I can have a home office/4th bedroom. The first order of business was to redo the powder room and bring it into 21st century.
Inspiration For The Powder Room
This beautiful powder room by Bitty Bromley was my primary inspiration for mine.
The paper she chose with pops of orange, the black and white floors, brass accents – everything was just perfection.
I was in love with the flooring selection, so I copied it, but the rest of the design elements are much different.
I have wild colors and quirky chandelier in mine, hers is much more sophisticated, mine is more playful.
Her paper is hand-painted by DeGourney – The OG of hand painted chinoiserie wallpaper mural. I wanted this, on a budget.
Choosing The chinoiserie Mural
When buying a chinoiserie mural paper, there are many many options, but I wanted grasscloth and there aren’t as many options when it comes to murals in grasscloth.
My wishlist included –
- A grasscloth that wasn’t too warm – no vanilla ice cream, please.
- Lots of open spaces because I was working with such a small room.
- Pops of color in the paper to pull from so I could add a colorful vanity.
This Daisy Bennett wallpaper checked all the boxes.
I chose the silver. Even though it’s called silver, this paper has just enough warmth to not be cold. In fact the paper is a perfect compliment to my favorite white – Ben Moore White Dove.
Cost – $670 X 2 =$1340
Link to buy – https://liketk.it/52fJC
Black & White Marble Flooring
I chose this mosaic marble tiles from Etsy. I loved the octagon shape. The “brass” elements are anodized aluminum, not real brass.
What that means is that it will eventually wear-off with a lot of foot traffic. Hence the flooring was ideal for a small, less traveled powder room. I would not recommend it in a bathroom with a shower.
We installed our tiles right over our orangey brown wood floors. Because? The tile was super thin and our flooring was solid – with no movement, bounce or squeaking.
The existing flooring was just as sturdy as a subfloor would’ve been. So we just proceeded with tiles right over it.
Cost – $27.75 X 24 = $667, but a box of 10 saves $$ so it was around $612 with taxes etc.
Link for the floor tile – https://tidd.ly/4g0O7nB
The Vanity
We crafted (and now offer) this vanity on the website for sale, specially for this project. It wasn’t the original plan. I thought I could use our 24″ demilune vanity for this project, but it was too deep and too wide for such a small bathroom.
The whole space was looking so crowded and crammed that we had no choice to find something else.
So the trusty old husband whipped me up a vanity.
Cost – Free for me because it was prototype.
I was IN LOVE with this console vanity, but my Rohl faucet base was too large for it. The faucet was a done deal so the vanity had to be custom made.
Link to buy – https://theresplendentcrow.com/products/bathroom-vanity-painted
Cost – $3075 on our website. Does not include counters and plumbing.
Sink, Misc Fixtures and stone top
I bought a small Kohler sink from Amazon without giving much thought to the looks. I needed it to be small and I wanted it to be square.
Cost $183
Link to buy – https://amzn.to/4gRnQJG
Since all my pipes were going to be exposed, I needed them to become brass/gold.
Part of the pipe that came from Rohl was stainless steel. I spray painted it.
Cost – $250
Link to buy – https://amzn.to/40wqq1H
As someone who has never purchased custom vanity top, this process was intimidating. It ended up being super easy, to be honest.
We just showed up at Stone Fabricators in Olivette and Genny Hass held our hand through it. We chose a marble remnant for this project.
Honestly, I wasn’t too picky about it. It was small little countertop in a small little powder room with many other important design elements, so this one wasn’t as important.
The cost for the custom stone countertop – $450
House Of rohl Faucet In Un-lacquered Brass
My Rohl faucet was an absolute splurge. This one is from there apothecary line so the faucet base is shaped like a perfume bottle. I can’t tell you how much I adore it.
I was able to get mine as an open box item on eBay but they are available on Wayfair.
Cost – Open box from eBay for $638 including taxes. You can buy it off of Wayfair (not for an open box price though) where all different finish options are available.
It’s around $1000. Yikes!! But it is so so beautiful and so well crafted.
Link to buy – https://liketk.it/52fKY
Friedman Brother’s Mirror
This was a FaceBook Marketplace was a $200 score. I got really lucky, mainly because it had a few missing pieces on the top. It doesn’t bother me and you don’t even notice it on the bird paper.
The mirror is absolute perfection in the bathroom with the blooms arched over like real life flowers would be.
Cost – $200
If you look on Etsy or eBay, you will find many options that are just as beautiful and in near perfect condition.
Here is one that is stunning. Yes, it is $1000 but I am sure the seller will negotiate.
Mirror Alternative – https://tidd.ly/4hwK03M
Kate Spade Light Fixture
For the lighting, I needed something that had more than one light bulb, preferably 3 as I was going to lose the light fixture over the mirror.
This Kate Spade fixture has been on my radar for YEARS! I have looked at it, loved it and wanted it, but didn’t have a project for it.
Fast forward to this bathroom redo and it was a perfect choice for it.
It is brass, it has translucent pink flowers and it has 3 light bulbs. Say no more!
I truly love it because it has a bit of a quirky vibe to it and it was much needed in a fancy bathroom.
Cost – $811.21
Link to buy – https://liketk.it/52fKk
Integrated Fan Cover
I am so happy that I stumbled upon this product because my eyes were hurting looking at this cheap plastic vent fan cover right next to my Kate Spade beauty.
Enter Envisivent fan cover. Yes, it does require way more work and some skills to install it, but it was absolutely worth the extra work. It’s flush with the ceiling, it’s paintable to it’s the same color as the ceiling so it takes the back seat.
Cost – $78
Light Switch
I really wanted the un-lacqured brass plate from Rejuvenation, but it was on back order till March. There was no way I was going to wait till March. I ordered this one from Lumens. Brushed brass is good enough for me for such a small design element.
Cost $124.
Link to buy – https://rstyle.me/+cuHvIAJWaPrUb0zwOt28Eg
Pop-Up Plug
I bought this pop-up GFCI outlet, of course, more brass elements and even though it’s not shiny and fancy like I wanted, it will do the job of eradicating generic, white ones.
I really like the look of it being enclosed when not in use.
Cost : $85
Link to buy – https://amzn.to/3PyaFBc
Door Hinges & Handle
I had to replace the hinges on the door because the original one was oil rubbed bronze. I splurged with solid brass Emtek hinges, but to be honest, I would get something that’s not going to patina.
These ones from Lowe’s are fabulous.
Link to buy – https://rstyle.me/+A4CBDRVSboOei2O2wD6ZnA
Same with the door handle. The old one had to go. I would recommend something that’s coated brass so it doesn’t start to look aged.
Link to buy – https://rstyle.me/+w_qB0AUyWZLe6eizn6fhxA
Toilet Paper Holder
Initially I bought a standalone toilet paper holder with a shelf and storage for extra rolls. Great concept! In real life, the toilet paper just sitting there looks very unattractive.
I am pretty sure a stand-alone toilet paper holder without additional toilet paper storage would’ve done the job but I decided to scrap that concept altogether.
The shelf is to hold a phone while you are doing your business. But….but I thought this would save my marble countertop from coffee cup rings.
You see, Eric likes to go in this bathroom with his coffee cup (and his phone) in the morning. If I have a shelf for his coffee cup, maybe my marble will be spared.
That’s the idea.
Cost – $53
Link to buy https://amzn.to/40VmLuO
Additional Storage & Accesorries
I added this little storage basket to store the paper.
Cost $30
Link to buy – https://amzn.to/4gncbRO
I also found a little milk glass mallard duck container to store toothpicks.
I floss fairly regularly, believe it or not, so having those handy is essential.
This soap dispenser was an Amazon find and I love how vintage it looks. It’s vintage, it’s brassy and it’s perfect.
Cost – $15
Link to buy – https://amzn.to/42yfaDE
Baseboards Crown & Door Trim
I decided to repaint the baseboards and the door trim in White Dove like the rest of the baseboards and door trim in the house.
We added this Home Depot crown – also painted in White Dove.
Honestly, you start running into decision making fatigue and just revert to the default setting.
My default setting is Ben Moore White Dove.
Link to purchase – https://rstyle.me/+qrbnTlpb1Ap1B51YX_lLlA
Cost -$0 for the baseboards and trim. $80 for the crown.
She Is a Beauty
I am so excited about this makeover. Truly thrilled at the results. It exceeded my wildest expectations.
I am linking all the resources for you to click and buy. Let me know if you have any questions!
All Resources and Links
Paper $1340 – https://liketk.it/52fJC
Flooring From Etsy $612 – https://tidd.ly/4g0O7nB
Vanity We Made $3075 – https://theresplendentcrow.com/products/bathroom-vanity-painted
Vanity Alternative $900 – https://rstyle.me/+v4e_EC447oQldlRZY49xoQ
Brass Plumbing $250 – https://amzn.to/40wqq1H
Sink $183 – https://amzn.to/4gRnQJG
Stone Countertop $450 – No link. Custom made locally
Faucet $638 https://liketk.it/52fKY
Mirror $200 – No link. FB find
Mirror Alternative – https://tidd.ly/4hwK03M
Pop-up Outlet Cover $85 – https://amzn.to/3PyaFBc
Vintage Looking Brass Switch-plate $124 – https://rstyle.me/+cuHvIAJWaPrUb0zwOt28Eg
Kate Spade Chandelier $811 – https://liketk.it/52fKk
Flush Mount Vent Cover $78 – https://www.envisivent.com/collections/exhaust-fan-cover
Hinges $84 – Hinges Link From My Knobs
Hinges Alternative – https://rstyle.me/+A4CBDRVSboOei2O2wD6ZnA
Door Knob $141 – https://rstyle.me/+w_qB0AUyWZLe6eizn6fhxA
Toilet Paper Holder $53 – https://amzn.to/40VmLuO
Storage Basket $29 – https://amzn.to/4gncbRO
Crown From Home Depot $80 – https://rstyle.me/+qrbnTlpb1Ap1B51YX_lLlA
Vintage Looking Soap Dispenser $15 – https://amzn.to/40VmLuO
Final Cost
It’s no surprise that the Chinoiserie mural wallpaper was the most expensive element in the bathroom. The faucet and flooring was next.
Total cost minus the vanity – $5173
Had it not been for my Rohl faucet blocking my metal console vanity purchase, I would’ve went with this one from Wayfair for about $800 and saved on the cost of sink and marble top brining the grand total to $5340.
Final Thoughts
If I had all the decisions made ahead of time and everything ordered, this would’ve been a weekend project. Maybe a holiday weekend project, but not more than that.
It took us two months to get it done because I was making decisions on the fly and changing my mind. Then we had a snow storm which delayed deliveries. So there was that.
Honestly, the vanity not fitting and not having any ready to ship options threw a wrench in our plans, but that’s life.
I have remodeled zero bathrooms so I am a new at this.
Now I want more chinoiserie mural wallpaper in my house, in a room, on all the walls. I will have to be strategic so it doesn’t look overdone.
On to the next thing!