apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Change the paint.
We had the same problem!
We opted for a night light blue with white linens, which makes everything look and feel cleaner.. without the dingy tile being as noticeable.

thats the best advice i can give!

can you paint a different color than the white? I know it's a bummer, but maybe pick a really light green or blue that might make the tiles look more like a cream color than dingy ole tiles.

Perhaps this is a bad suggestion seeing as you just painted, but it seems to me the easiest solution would to re-paint in a color that doesn't make the tile seem dingy. A chocolate brown would be classy and still neutral or you could brighten without white in a fresh green.

Have you considered painting the white that you just painted a different color? A darker color might make the tiles look less dingy.

I'm too early! wanted to see what others would say. That's a stumper.
A thought: because it's a bathroom I would hesitate before covering the tile up with a panel or anything (humidity, mould etc. could really dig in to a situation like that)... the color LOOKS dingy in contrast with the white... how about some frames, objects etc in the bathroom to match that "dirty" white, which might transform it to a "butter" or "cream" white... see where I'm going with this? The tile is old, that can assert its charm if it's backed up with say, an ostrich egg on a stand (ooh "eggshell"!)

bottom line: get a mix of whites going in the bathroom.

I know you just painted, but the best way to make the tile not look yellow is to pick a white paint that matches the tile itself.

The other thing you could do, which probably doesn't sound very enticing either, is to re-grout the tile with some fresh bright white grout so that it matches the new white above.

that narrow strip of wood above the tiles might be your salvation: paint it a fun color that will alter the contrast of the two whites, a bridge color!

Yup. Sadly, the best solution here, I think, is to paint again. Try a shade like the ones suggested that, next to a dingy white tile will make it look like "cream" rather than dingy white.

I'd vote for a fresh green like suggested.

A friend of mine painted her grout around her kitchen tile and it came out great. What about bright-white grout? I found this how-to link: http://www.ehow.com/how_2078917_paint-old-tile-grout.html

besides painting again, first you can try changing the lighting? you can't change the lighting fixtures, maybe just changing the kind of bulb the fixtures take... so the lighting is softer and not so dirty-hospital looking... and maybe some art on the walls? preferably with the accent color of yellow in it, so go with the dirty-yellow looking tiles??

just some thoughts :)

oooh I change my answer. I agree with Philip- just paint the wood strip! Waaaay less work and problem solved!

I don't see the problem - The tile clearly isn't white: it's creamy/beige.

If you hate the contrast, just repaint the upper walls the same color.

Please, don't go with green -- it will make your skin look horrible every time you look in the mirror. Go with a soft blue-gray that will make the dingy tile look creamy.

I agree with everyone else - either repaint everything, or repaint the molding. If it fits your style, painting the molding a nice shiny black could look really sharp!

Agree with Philip Littell, paint the wood strip. Maybe a soft gray? Or a dark brown?

Not to nitpick, but...

OK, OK, to nitpick: Is that tile actually called wainscoting? I thought wainscoting was wood paneling.

Hey there... if you're into the whole "retro" type look, I suggest painting the border black. Then the yellow/cream tile will look a bit more like subway tile. Then put up simple photography with thick black frames and you're good to go.

I would try a portable steam cleaner. Tape off the wooden strip though. Then a good grout cleaner. That should do help quite a bit.

Paint the border/trim a nice high gloss black or brown.

I was also thinking that you should paint the trim black, get some pictures with black frames some cream mats some white mats and possibly all white linens. Maybe pick one accent color and sprinkle it throughout for some punch?

First, try bleaching the tiles and grout -- perhaps with bleach gel or maybe some kind of peroxide-based gel?

You can find grout whitening pens for about $50. I haven't used them but people online seem to give them good reviews.

@see - I'm sure you must mean $5 for the grout whitening pen. I have one by clorox that cost about that. It kind of works.

I love the look of mixed whites, so I might vote for white and cream towels and putting some cream accessories on the white wall. Maybe bring in some darker 'whites', too. Metallic, mirrors, glass and other reflective accents look nice with whites, as do green plants, baskets and other natural elements.

If you do decide to paint, try painting just the wood strip first and see if that's enough.

Repaint with a beautiful teal green, which would really enrich the color of the tiles. You could add burgandy or red accents ... one of my favorite color combinations with cream.

I know you rent, if you can get your landlord to go for it home depot sells a tile refinishing kit now that's pretty inexpensive( i think around 30 dollars). If you did the tiles white it would freshen them up so much and since its the same color you'd be helping our landlord out. If not I say change the paint color. Good luck!

Always use Eddie Bauer Home – American Bungalow – Craft White EB25-4 paint instead of white-white paint. Craft white gives the look of aged oil based paint and will complement old tile or anything else in an old home.

Spencer
www.ArchitecturalAntiqueReview.com

Paint the trim piece between the wall and the tile a shade (or half a shade) deeper than the tile. If you love it, paint the rest of the wall that color. Try Ralph Lauren "Canvas" in semigloss.

I'd definitely paint the wood trim with your accent colour for that bathroom and then clean the grout.

Put up some wooden shelving and paint the shelves with an exact or a little deeper match with the tile. Use some fabric with a print with the exact matching color to the tile

If you match the tile color and spread it around the room with accessories it will work. The trick is to make an exact match or slightly darker to the tile.

Your tile is clearly cream; it was never white or dingy white. They are antique tile, so please don't alter them permanently. Many people will love the color. Additionally, white and cream is a classic combination. But if the combination is not for you, then try gray wall paint in the same intensity or shade as the cream tile. Gray and cream is also a classic combination and it will be so classy!

One more suggestion... don't add many white accessories near the cream tile. Many cream colors look white until they are compared to pure white.

Actually my last suggestion brought up another idea. You could also take the cream tile color, lighten it up to a very pale cream, and paint your walls that color. You will have shades of the same color, and the cream tile will blend.