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The question

I have a big, empty wall in my bathroom and would like to fill the space with a piece of art. But there's a baseboard heater at the bottom of it. What kind of art can stand up to steam?

The answer

Big, empty walls are a dream come true for any architect, as all they (i.e., I) want to do is articulate and fill. If you have proper ventilation in a bathroom, steam should not be an issue; if the steam doesn't dissipate and lingers, however, not only will art such as paintings and drawings wilt, but the drywall will also grow mould.

So good ventilation is key, as is making sure that any wall art is framed and protected behind a sheet of glass. (As for that baseboard heater, cover it with trim and metal mesh so you don't see it or burn your feet!) Personally, I enjoy photography and have a fabulous Lillian Bassman fashion shot hanging behind glass in my ensuite. Taken in the 1950s, it conjures days of yesteryear and hasn't aged at all. Sadly, the same can't be said about me.

Follow architect and interior designer Dee Dee Taylor Eustace on Twitter: @ddtaylorddd. Have a design dilemma? E-mail style@globeandmail.com.

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