There’s something special about a powder bath done right. Though often tiny, it’s one space in a home where guests pause and notice the details. And unlike other rooms where function often takes precedence, a powder bath is an opportunity to create an experience—a compact moment of calm where every material can shine.
When we began planning our Zuma Beach House renovation, I knew our powder bath was really small. But I’m always excited by an opportunity to create something that feels special within a minimal footprint. My design philosophy is that size doesn’t determine impact—intention does. And in a space this intimate, every surface, every texture, and every detail matters.
The Challenge: Making 20 Square Feet Feel Luxurious
Let’s be honest—powder baths often get the leftover budget and “builder’s choice” treatment. After all, it can seem like just a basic utilitarian space. But to me, small spaces are where you get to be bold, where you can invest in those dream materials that might feel overwhelming (and be too pricey) in a larger room.
Size doesn’t determine impact—intention does.
The footprint we’re working with is tight, but that constraint became our creative catalyst. Instead of trying to make the space feel bigger, we decided to lean into its intimacy and make it feel rich, layered, and textural.
Zellige That Makes a Statement
The star of this space is absolutely the backsplash. We’re using this gorgeous, unglazed natural trapezoid zellige tile from Zia Tile that runs all the way from the vanity to the ceiling.
What I love about this tile isn’t just the warm, earthy tone—it’s the unexpected shape. While most people think of zellige as those classic subway or square tiles, these trapezoids create this incredible geometric pattern that feels both timeless and completely fresh. The handmade quality means each tile is slightly different, creating subtle variations in color and texture that make the wall feel alive.
Running it floor-to-ceiling was an intentional choice to create maximum impact. In a small space, you want the eye to travel vertically to create the illusion of height, and this dramatic backdrop transforms what could have been a forgettable powder bath into something memorable.
Lighting That Feels Like Sculpture
Over the mirror, we’re hanging this striking black pendant from Lightology. It’s a bold choice, but I love the sculptural quality it brings to the space.
The black finish will create beautiful contrast against the warm zellige and brass accents, giving the space a modern, organic quality that I’m completely obsessed with.
Brass That Tells a Story
Like throughout the rest of the house, we’re using unlacquered brass fixtures—specifically the same faucet from Kallista’s One collection that we chose for our primary and guest bathrooms.
I love that unlacquered brass develops character over time. Each fingerprint, each water spot becomes part of its patina and story. In a powder bath that will see lots of different hands over the years, I can already imagine how beautifully it will age.
The round brass mirror from Rejuvenation echoes this warm metal tone while keeping the lines clean and simple. The round shape softens all the geometric angles of the trapezoid tile, creating a perfect balance.
Walls Like a Soft Embrace
For the walls, we’re using the same Patagonia Roman Clay from Portola Paints that we’ve chosen throughout the house. This soft, warm neutral has become our signature finish—it adds texture and depth while maintaining the serene, spa-like quality we want in every space.
In such a small room, the Roman Clay creates this cocoon-like feeling. The handcrafted texture catches light beautifully and adds so much more interest than regular paint ever could.
Embrace Contrast: Rustic Meets Refined
On the countertops, we’re using Caesarstone in Marenstone—a stunning quartz surface with subtle veining that feels like natural stone but with unparalleled durability and consistency. The sleek, minimalist design of the Caesarstone creates this beautiful juxtaposition against the organic textures throughout the room, especially the reclaimed wood floating below it.
We’re incorporating a reclaimed wood shelf below the countertop, which will be a beautifully rustic foil against the sleek lines of the Caesarstone. I love adding at least one reclaimed touch to every room, to bring warmth and history into what could otherwise feel too precious or polished.
This tension between refined and rustic has become a signature in all my designs—the handmade imperfection of old wood against the precision of the zellige and brass. It’s these unexpected combinations that make a space feel collected rather than decorated, lived-in rather than staged.
On the floors we’re using Stuga wood floors in “Ingrid”—a beautiful, natural wood tone that grounds the entire palette and connects back to the organic materials throughout the rest of the house.
Yes, I’m In Love With This Toilet
We’re putting the same gorgeous ME by Starck Wall Mounted Toilet from Duravit in here that we chose for our other bathrooms, and I can’t tell you how much a well-designed toilet elevates a bathroom. It’s really a design detail worth paying attention to, and this one is sleek, minimal, and (dare I say) beautiful.
Small Space, Major Statement
What I hope this powder bath conveys is that square footage doesn’t dictate intentional design. When you take time to choose materials you love, and bring attention to every detail, even the tiniest spaces can feel luxurious.
This room is all about the power of beautiful materials. From the geometric drama of the zellige to the living finish of the brass, every element works together to create something that feels both timeless and completely fresh.
My dream for this space: when guests step into it, they take that momentary pause that happens when you encounter something unexpectedly beautiful. That’s the feeling I’m designing for, and I can’t wait to see it come to life.
