Everyone loves my over-the-top, monkey decor powder room — or, at least that’s what they all tell me! First-time guests are always taken by surprise by the dramatic, black wallpaper.
It’s still in the mid-eighties to ninety degrees here in now “tropical” Pittsburgh. Sure doesn’t feel at all like fall ya all! I’m skeptical we are going to enjoy any fall foliage display this year.
So, I’ve lacked motivation to bring out fall or Halloween seasonal decor. Temperatures are supposed to break by the weekend. That’s when I’ll send Mr. Buzz up into the attic to haul down decorations. As you may recall from the Not-So-Scary Halloween Decor Home Tour and Shop, Pack and Store Holiday Decorations, Tableware, I have a lot of stuff!
In the meantime, I’ve decided to show you more of the first floor of our home. Actually, it’s at Myrna’s urging; a loyal follower. I’ve been reluctant to post about the monkey decor bathroom, because it’s really difficult to take photographs in such a tight area. Calling it a room “tour” is also stretch — it’s really just standing in one spot and turning around 360 degrees!
Hopefully, you’ll find some inspiration or ideas to go big when decorating a small room.
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Kitchen Remodel Domino Effect
I’ve already taken you on a Remodeled Kitchen Design & Layout Tour; part of a three-part series. To make extra space — within the home’s original footprint — the laundry room was eliminated and relocated to the second floor. 
By removing the wall separating the two spaces, we were able to push the kitchen back about four feet, while adding another eight foot run of appliances, cabinetry and counter.
To the right you can see a section of the expanded kitchen space from Breakfast at Tiffanys Theme Brunch.
There was also a very short hallway in the original layout, with the laundry to the right and powder room to the left. Eliminating the mini hallway added space for relocating the refrigerator. It also necessitated a new entry to the bathroom.
Our kitchen designer cleverly put the powder room door at an angle. This eliminated the hallway, while adding some much-needed floor space to the bathroom. Previously, it was more like a small closet!
Adding Space & Drama
Now, for a look behind the door…surprise! Coming off of the neutral kitchen, I’ll bet it wasn’t quite what you were expecting, huh?
Photography Note: There is no window or natural light in the powder room, and a pair of sconces creates lots of glare on the reflective surfaces.
Sure, it’s still a small powder room, but that extra bit of space and angled door made an outsized improvement. Neither of the bathroom fixtures needed repositioned (saving a lot in plumbing costs). Although, we did replace the original commode and pedestal sink.
But, with the added space, there’s room to move around a bit. And, you no longer feel squeezed in with your back or knees against the wall or door, LOL!
The new configuration also provided room for a tall corner cabinet — in what use to be the short hallway.
Much-need storage is in the lower cabinet, with display space on the shelves above.
Big & Bold Statement Wallpaper
While I was preoccupied with the kitchen remodel, I went to a furniture store looking for bar stools and a round glass table. The decorator there asked if she could stop by the house to take a look around.
When she saw all the black decor accents throughout the first floor, she suggested we go with a dramatic black wallpaper in the powder room. Say what? I would never come up with this on my own.
And, when she returned with the large 21″ repeat pattern I was skeptical it was too much for such a small space. But, in truth, I loved the monkey decor print immediately. Surprisingly, so did hubby!
There are two different monkeys depicted in the wallpaper pattern.
Burgundy, yellow and sage green colors in the wallpaper print are also used to accent the kitchen and family room decor, window treatments, and upholstery.
Because of the tight space and cost of the high-end Schumacher wallpaper, we decided to hire a professional installer. I also wanted to ensure the seams fit without exposing the white walls underneath.
He suggested we wrap the monkey decor wallpaper over the bulkhead, and paint the ceiling and fan fixture a flat black.
Those techniques give the room an “infinity” look upwards. It also creates the illusion that our home’s 7 1/2 foot ceilings are higher than they are.
Ornate Mirror Dresses Up Space
Such a dramatic wallpaper required more than the original mirror and medicine cabinet combo.
I love all the ornate, classical details in the beveled mirror; including a lovely pediment top.
Two built-in sconces on either side of the mirror replaced an ugly fluorescent overhead light.
Although it’s hard to tell in these pictures, the shades on the candlesticks help to soften the lighting and create a nice warm glow.
Queen of Theme Decorating Too
My tendency to stick to, or play up a theme also applies to my interior decorating, LOL! 
You might recall seeing the peacock accents in the living and dining rooms?
There are peacock or feathers in the wallpaper, accent pillows, paintings, wall mural and figurine seen in, Exotic Peacock Tablescape.
Peacocks even carry over into how I decorate the front of the house at Christmas. See, Decorating with a Peacock Theme and Peacock Ornaments Decorate Chandelier.
So, is it much of a surprise that the monkey decor wallpaper established an interior design theme in the remodeled powder room? Have you decorated any room or rooms in your home around a theme?
Monkeying Around
First thing I found was this exotic, vintage-inspired jungle print of a monkey. It has an outer, silk burgundy mat that compliments the flowers in the wallpaper print.
I’ve taken the picture at an angle so you don’t catch the sconce light or my reflection in the glass.
Nearby is a heavy brass, palm tree candlestick; holding two burgundy candles.
Next to the candlestick, is a matched cup and soap dispenser set depicting a monkey climbing a palm tree.
Sage green in the stripes and palm tree match the foliage color in the wallpaper.
On the other side of the pedestal sink is a set of burgundy guest towels embroidered with another monkey climbing a palm tree. Give me a theme, and I just can’t bee stopped, LOL!
Sitting underneath is a metal trash can depicting a palm tree.
In the corner, on top of the cupboard, is a monkey planter filled with a faux fern.
Decorating the shelves of the glass-fronted upper cabinet are a number of monkey decor pieces, including this leaf plate.
And, this adorable monkey figurine sitting on top of a book.
Going Bananas
All this heat is driving me bananas, LOL! Happily, as I publish this, it’s finally starting to cool off. None too soon either! Although I held off pulling out fall and Halloween decor, I did have to switch around my seasonal clothes, shoes and purses nearly a month ago.
It’s been impossible to figure out what to wear. Even though it’s been far from sweater and corduroy weather, white summer shorts and tropical print tops aren’t appropriate in Pittsburgh this time of year either!
Stay tuned for more seasonal posts over the next few weeks.
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I regularly participate in: Metamorphous Monday, Share Your Style, Tablescape Thursday, Thursday Favorite Things, Crafty Creators, Saturday Sparks, Happiness is Homemade, and Love Your Creativity.
Love it! That is so dramatic and bold. Your accessories fit perfectly.
Hi Peggy, so glad you stopped by and enjoyed the look!
I absolutely LOVE this monkey wallpaper!!!!!! People believe dramatic wallpapers or dark paint in small spaces doesn’t work, but the opposite is actually true…it makes small places feel elegant, yet cozy, and it’s the room that looks the best with it. All the decor pieces are right on and so cute! Hugs!
I know, right? I’ve teased my husband we can never move because there’s no way to bring the wallpaper with me and they don’t make it anymore, LOL! But, that mirror is definitely coming with me to the nursing home!
I love your monkeying around bathroom. it is dramatic and fun. I think it is cozy. So many wonderful decor items too. have a lovely weekend.
Thanks Linda. I like the elegant but whimsy vibe. It was so much fun hunting down accessories that fit the look.
I’m not much for monkey things, but your bathroom is absolutely stunning. You found wonderful accessories!
I had a black/burgundy bathroom. I painted the ceiling pink. It was more of a Victorian look. The wallpaper was on sale for about $6! So my whole update cost about $30!
I was never into monkeys either, but I feel head over heels for that wallpaper. It’s actually a reproduction of an old classic design. Oh Jeannie, I can picture Victorian look you describe — and think the pop of pink must have looked fabulous! I’d never get away with pink with three guys in the house. Just $6?! Lucky, lucky you! I was fortunate that we didn’t need a lot of wallpaper for the room, but with that large repeat there was a good amount of waste to match it up.
I know someone with a monkey chandelier in her 100 yr historic home dining room. It’s not cheesy but tastefully done. She was running around with a decorator friend who spotted the chandelier at an antique shop and suggested the purchase. Gotta watch those decorator friends!
(By the way my hubby spotted the chandelier when we attended her holiday open house and liked it immediately).
Rhonda, I’d love to see that chandelier! I didn’t realize that monkeys were a big thing in classic decor back in the mid to late 1800’s until the decorator explained my wallpaper print was a classic reproduction from that period.
Thanks for monkeying around in the bathroom to satisfy my curiosity. I love your bathroom. Actually, I think I have some fabric to match your wallpaper because I loved the colors so much. Great minds think alike.
Glad it didn’t disappoint Myrna. I love that color combo too and use it in the family room and master bedroom.
This is a smash. Absolutely gorgeous. Done good girl.
Thanks Kem. Gosh I’m glad I let that decorator visit the house!
Love it, Debbee!!
Thanks Rita! I’ve actually got two other theme rooms upstairs — a safari theme bedroom and a western, national parts office. Hope to see more updates on your new abode too.
Love, love, love the powder room! It’s the perfect space to decorate to the max because it’s not one you spend much time in, yet it’s always visited by guests. Although with so many details to enjoy they may spend more time there LOL
Sandra, totally agree that a small space is the perfect place to try something big and creative! Got a chuckle out of “spending more time there.”
Gorgeous! What a sophisticated space! I’m sure your friends are going to deluge you with little monkey trinkets after they see this room. That mirror is awesome (I have a soft spot for fancy mirrors!). If it were my room, I would need a magazine rack for an excuse to spend more time there!
That’s what I was going for, glad you think so Kathy. It’s actually looked that way for over 15 years now — can you believe it! So, in hindsight was really worth the splurge on the mirror (I have a thing for them too) and wallpaper.
I love the black patterned wallpaper and used it in the powder room of a previous house. I actually got into an argument with the wallpaper salesperson who tried to tell me I couldn’t do that with blue bathroom fixtures. The wallpaper was a gorgeous floral and looked amazing! Everyone who saw it, loved it – even the salesperson – when I brought in a picture to show her! Thank you for sharing at Party In Your PJ’s.
You know Ann, some of my favorite home decor elements are ones that “break the rules.” I was skeptical about the wallpaper, but all these years later it’s aged well and I love it every bit as much.
This is absolutely stunning! I love the impact and pow factor! This is truly gorgeous and unique, and all the accessories are perfect! It’s so gutsy – and that in itself is so refreshing! Visiting from Charming Homes & Gardens link party.
Thanks Kristine! Being homebound these days it’s sure nice to have visitors — even if virtually lol! Everything is neutral and grays these days. And, although my open kitchen is neutral, I love color and patterns. Guess that more reflective of my personality and artistic pursuits.
So sorry to read that the wallpaper was no longer available. I have been hunting and hunting to replace my current monkey and butterfly black background paper that has gotten a little tired.If you know of another that you’d recommend, I’d love to hear about it.
Omgosh!! This bathroom has my name all over it!! ? I’m a huge monkey collector, and my master bathroom is done also in a black monkey wallpaper, but a different pattern, Love Love this❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Glad you liked it so much Cyndy — it’s all about that wallpaper! Wondering if you could share the brand, name of yours for other post readers. So many people have asked me where they could get mine, but it’s been discontinued.
I want to see price per roll and where to buy the paper.
Lots of people wanted to buy it after I published the post. But, I checked and it’s no longer made.