High/low: Bright, pretty powder room

Can you tell the high from the low?

Low: $2,142

1 Laundry Studio Diamante wallpaper in Turquoise, Hygge & West, $140 US per double roll. 2 UberHaus metal Naples sconces with fabric shade and faux crystals (removed), RONA, $32 each. 3 Aluminum-bordered Ronglan mirror, 32", IKEA, $119. 4 Town Square widespread cast-brass faucet in Polished Chrome, American Standard, $460. 5 Fitzgerald 3-hole fireclay pedestal sink in Canvas White, 24", DXV, $520. 6 Ceramic Hexagon floor tiles in White and Black, 1", Saltillo Imports, $5 per sq. ft. each. 7 Cotton terry cloth Linen-edged bath towel in White,Anthropologie, $48 US. 8 Vintage monogrammed linen hand towel, Putti Fine Furnishings, $25. 9 Moen Iso steel towel bar, 18", RONA, $43. 10 Illume poured candle in glass vessel, Indigo, $18.

High: $5,947

1 Paper & Ink Coastal Chic Lace Doily wallpaper in CO10412, through designers, Crown Wallpaper & Fabrics, $159 per double roll. 2 Hudson Valley Lighting 1-light brass Sanford sconces in Polished Nickel with silk shade, Sescolite, $551 each. 3 Mother of Pearl mirror, 30", Cocoon Furnishings, $1,046. 4 Keefe widespread cast-brass faucet in Polished Chrome, DXV, $680. 5 Town Square 3-hole fireclay pedetsal sink, 24", American Standard, $705. 6 Enamelled-glass mosaic Hexagon floor tiles in White, Cobalt Blue and Light Blue, 2", Saltillo Imports, $19 per sq. ft. each. 7 Cotton terry cloth bath towel in Off-white with linen border in Natural, per pair, Zara Home, $50. 8 Embroidered-linen Honeycomb hand towel in White & Silver, Au Lit Fine Linens, $48. 9 Valsan brass Porto towel bar in Chrome, 20", Upper Canada Specialty Hardware, $129. 10 Tom Dixon poured Eclectic candle in brass vessel with marble lid, Medulla & Co., $95.

Keep it light

Simple sconces against patterned wallpaper will brighten up any powder room, especially when framing the mirror over the sink.   Low (left): UberHaus metal Naples sconces with fabric shade and faux crystals (removed), RONA, $32 each. High (right): Hudson Valley Lighting 1-light brass Sanford sconces in Polished Nickel with silk shade, Sescolite, $551 each.

Deco divas

The stars of our high and low powder rooms are the statuesque art deco-inspired pedestal sinks (these gals have got some gams!). Though their silhouettes are quite different, each embodies the celebrated glamour of old Hollywood and makes for one lavish lavatory.   Low (left): Fitzgerald 3-hole fireclay pedestal sink in Canvas White, 24", DXV, $520. High (right): Town Square 3-hole fireclay pedestal sink, 24", American Standard, $705.

Bar aware

Racks and hooks are great hanging options, but consider a towel bar, whatever your price point. It allows plenty of ventilation for speedy drying, so your towels stay fresh. Low (left): Moen Iso steel towel bar, 18", RONA, $43. High (right): Valsan brass Porto towel bar in Chrome, 20", Upper Canada Specialty Hardware, $129.

Mosaic muse

When the first residential bathrooms began appearing around the turn of the last century, the floor covering of choice was mosaic tile. The diminutive size of the tiles – an inch or so wide – suited the scale of the generally cramped spaces and allowed for a wide variety of patterns, which ranged from simple to intricate. To lend our powder rooms that signature old-world charm, we recreated the look by installing hexagonal tiles in a scattered flower motif. The Low features basic one-inch black and white tiles, while the High comprises bolder two-inch white, navy and powder blue ones. We combined segments from single-colour mesh sheets, but you can buy a sheet with a preset pattern for easy installation. The options are as pleasantly plentiful as ever.   Low (left): Ceramic Hexagon floor tiles in White and Black, 1", Saltillo Imports, $5 per sq. ft. each. High (right): Enamelled-glass mosaic Hexagon floor tiles in White, Cobalt Blue and Light Blue, 2", Saltillo Imports, $19 per sq. ft. each.

An elegant freshness

If you're going to add a softly-scented candle into your powder room, you might as well make sure it stays with the glam look of the room by placing it in a gold candle holder.   Low (left): Illume poured candle in glass vessel, Indigo, $18. High (right): Tom Dixon poured Eclectic candle in brass vessel with marble lid, Medulla & Co., $95.

Small but important

Faucets are never a bathroom item to overlook. They are the element of the powder room that will pull the sink, mirror, sconces and added accessories together so choose wisely.   Low (left): Town Square widespread cast-brass faucet in Polished Chrome, American Standard, $460. High (right): Keefe widespread cast-brass faucet in Polished Chrome, DXV, $680.

Hotel worthy hospitality

Anticipate your guests’ needs with a toiletry essentials kit. Stock basic hair, nail and dental care products, as well as common medicines. Toss large items, such as dry shampoo, right in, but corral small bits like bobby pins in mini envelopes.   Brass and glass Callie box, Pottery Barn, $104. Large cotton Fouta bath towel, Au Lit Fine Linens, $98.

Anything but dry

For a special touch, layer hand towels in various materials and textures with unique details, such as pleats, fringes or embroidery. Stick to a single palette for uniformity.   1 Cotton terry cloth Heather Fringed in Oatmeal, Pottery Barn, $24. 2 Cotton terry cloth in Off-white with linen border in Natural, Zara Home, $20 per pair. 3 Cotton terry cloth Linen- edged in White, Anthropologie, $28 US. 4 Fringed-cotton honeycomb-woven Fouta in Powder Blue, Putti Fine Furnishings, $22. 5 Vintage linen with crocheted edge, Putti Fine Furnishings, $295. 6 Antique-French-linen with vintage-linen pleated edge, Putti Fine Furnishings, $80. 7 Vintage monogrammed linen, Putti Fine Furnishings, $30. 8 Embroidered-linen Tangier in Oat & White, Au Lit Fine Linens, $48. 9 Cotton terry cloth jacquard Isaac Floral Sculpted in White, Pottery Barn, $30. 10 Cotton terry cloth jacquard, Zara Home, $14 per pair.