Tranqui moments powder rooms by Wilson Kelsey Design

As a private room most often used by guests, a powder room presents interior designers with an opportunity to make an individualistic decor statement. However, effective design can be as much about what is left out as what is included.

The powder rooms on these pages are by interior designers Sally Wilson and John Kelsey. While they belong to two different houses, these spaces share some elements that work well in these niche areas, says Sally Wilson.

"We wanted these rooms to feel special for guests and part of this is keeping them simple and uncluttered, with just a washbasin, mirror and toilet," says Sally Wilson. "This gives them an appropriately serene, relaxing ambience.

"Instead of including a lot of unnecessary features, we prefer to use high-end finishes, materials and fixtures to create a refined air."

Gestalt, or a concept of wholeness, drives most of the duo's designs and played a key part in both of these projects, says John Kelsey.

"The first powder room is in a 1920 house remodeled to combine classic lines with a vibrant, youthful aesthetic the owners were former city-dwellers who had moved to the suburbs and this room echoes that fusion."

A floral English wallpaper above the chair rail gives way to pale blue walls below and echoes the use of patterned fabrics elsewhere in the expansive residence.

"The floor is in rich, veined Emperador marble with a contrasting Calacatta Gold border. The cool, dark stone complements the polished wood vanity which conceals plumbing, and is fitted with an open shelf below to maintain the sense of simplicity while offering casual storage," Kelsey says. "Sconces with crystal elements add a jewel-like twinkle here."

The powder room left and above forms part of a much older, 200 years-plus home, with a more detailed classical sensibility.

"For this space we used a more traditional Brunschwig & Fils wallpaper," says Wilson.

"We discovered a solid curved cabinet with an antique feel and painted this a dark tone matching the Negro Marquina marble border floor tiles, then found the basin and faucetry to accompany it. The cabinet's petite dimensions are in keeping with the room's modest scale."

Story by: Trendsideas