Easy Bathroom Upgrades

Matcha Pink Drink

F O R G R O W N - U P S Mix together 1 tsp. granulated sugar and 1/4 tsp. matcha powder on a small plate. Dip the rim of a mug into water, then into the sugar-matcha mixture. Set aside. Bring ½ cup water to a boil in a small saucepan. Pour into prepared mug and stir in 1 Tbs. whole milk and ½ tsp. matcha powder. In the same saucepan, whisk together 1/4 cup whole milk, 2 Tbs. heavy cream, and 1 tsp. granulated sugar until warm and sugar is dissolved, about 2 minutes. Add milk mixture to a high-powered blender along with 2 medium or 3 small strawberries, and blend until smooth. Pour strawberry milk over top of matcha mixture to create two distinct layers. Top with a strawberry slice on the rim. Makes 1 drink.

Snickerdoodle Crème

Heat 1 cup whole milk, 2 tsp. maple syrup, and a pinch of ground cinnamon in a small saucepan over medium-low heat, whisking, until small bubbles form, about 4 minutes (do not let boil). Stir in 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract. Process with a milk frother until frothy, about 30 seconds. (Alternatively, transfer milk mixture to a 16-oz. Mason jar with a lid; shake until frothy, about 4 minutes.) Pour into a mug, spooning froth over the drink, and serve, topped with a decorative sprinkle of cinnamon (use a heart stencil made out of parchment paper, if you like). Makes 1 drink.

S’more Milk, Please!

Cut 2 large marshmallows into quarters. Heat 1 cup whole milk and marshmallows in a small saucepan over medium heat, whisking, until marshmallows are melted, 5 to 7 minutes (do not let boil). Pour into a mug and serve, topped with a dollop of marshmallow topping (such as Fluff), a sprinkle of graham cracker crumbs, and a drizzle of chocolate sauce. Makes 1 drink.

Mixes Well

Ea sy Bath room Upg rade s

Bath toys and toddler toothbrushes make this space a challenge. But a few decorating projects that are easy on parents’ jam-packed schedules (and budgets) can help beautify things.

by B E T S Y G O L D B E R G

Play W ith Wallpaper

Given a bathroom’s small size, it’s an ideal place to try a bold pattern. And because you won’t need a lot of paper, you’ll save on effort and expense. A fun design can inject personality and a sense of surprise: “It’s like an ‘aha’ moment” when kids open the door, says Kesha Franklin, a designer in Green Brook , New Jersey .

Peel-and-stick and Sure Strip versions are fairly foolproof for DIYers. These papers adhere smoothly and won’t damage walls on removal. Chasing Paper, Tempaper, and Target are favorite sources of Los Angeles–based designer Sabrina Soto. Look for waterresistant, laminated PVC or vinyl, which will withstand your kid’s bathtub sloshing. And a word to the wise: Installation is generally a two-person task.

Franklin recently wallpapered one bathroom in an oversize floral pattern and another in a mid-century modern geometric print. Atlanta-based designer Vern Yip leans toward animal patterns—“Tigers are trending right now,” he says—and wallpaper with a textured effect. “A hammered metallic look is really elegant.”

While it can be tempting to cover just one wall, decorators favor papering them all, ceiling too. “Bathrooms already look chopped up,” Franklin says. Wallpapering everything keeps it unified and cohesive.

Paint the Vanit y

This project is simplest when the piece is made of real wood, which is easier to sand down and prep than particleboard or other materials. To start, remove the drawers, doors, and hardware, labeling the knobs and pulls in baggies so you’ll know exactly where to put