Before we get into the reader redesign highlights, a quick Burger update. Yesterday was terrifying for us. Burger was sitting on Sherry’s lap when he jumped down excitedly, lost his footing, flipped in the air, and landed awkwardly on his back and neck. He yelped. Sherry scooped him up and checked him over; at first he seemed dazed but otherwise alert. When we set him down he couldn’t walk properly — he was unsteady, kept bumping into walls, wouldn’t put weight on his hind legs, and repeatedly fell over.
We rushed everyone into the car and called the vet on the way. While Sherry was still on the phone Burger had what appeared to be a brief seizure: he went rigid, his eyes were open but unfocused, and his body trembled violently. The episode lasted around twenty seconds. By the time we reached the clinic he was back to normal, walking and responsive. The vet ran a series of checks and found his vitals and reflexes to be normal. Their impression was that the stumble and the short seizure-like event were likely reactions to the impact and shock of the fall. They advised close monitoring for 24 hours for any signs of trouble. We’re only a few hours shy of that full period, but Burger is already acting like his usual energetic self — jumping, running, and full of personality. We are incredibly relieved and grateful that he recovered so well.
Now, back to the reader redesigns. As we shift our focus from kitchen ideas to bathroom inspiration, the submissions in our inbox have been full of smart, manageable updates. Michelle’s powder room caught our eye because, like many of our favorite makeovers, it didn’t require a complete gut renovation. Instead, a few strategic changes — paint, pattern, and molding — transformed the space dramatically. Those kinds of updates are high-impact, relatively low-cost, and ideal for homeowners who want a fresh look without a full remodel.
As fellow stenciling survivors, I thought you might enjoy our powder room makeover!
Michelle added simple molding details and used the Nova Trellis stencil from Royal Design Studios to convert a plain powder room into a quirky, stylish space. The stencil adds bold pattern without overwhelming the small footprint, and the molding anchors the look with classic structure and contrast.
The white paint is Ultra White by Valspar, and the black is Black Leather by Dutch Boy — a crisp, modern pairing that makes the pattern pop and keeps the room feeling fresh.
Michelle plans to add crown molding and wall art, and she’s considering swapping the mirror and window treatment for finishing touches. She admits this room is bolder than her usual style, but the result proves that a daring pattern in a small room can be exactly the right move — it energizes the space without feeling overdone.
We love the way this makeover uses a few focused elements to create personality and polish. Small bathrooms are perfect places to experiment: bold patterns read as intentional and stylish rather than overwhelming, and trim work instantly raises the sense of craftsmanship. In Michelle’s case, the crisp white molding creates a clean frame for the stencil work, the rich wood floors add warmth and balance, and the pedestal sink keeps the footprint airy and elegant. The stencil itself is the standout — brave, graphic, and perfectly scaled for this size of room.
Thanks for sending the photos, Michelle — this is a great example of how thoughtful paint, pattern, and molding can reinvent a space without a huge investment. If you’d like to see more details from Michelle’s project, check out her blog post linked above. Meanwhile, tell us: what appeals most to you in this makeover — the white molding, the wood floors, the pedestal sink, or the bold stencil?