apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

My thought exactly, get some nice drawer pulls, some plush towels in a colour you love, throw a beautiful vase of flowers on the counter and call it day. Not sure if you're able to find the same tiles, but I think it would look great if you extended the mini tiles in the shower up to the ceiling. Small pet peeve of mine.

i agree--if you can afford it rip out and replace the vanity, sink faucet etc
you can get an inexpensive double vanity at home depot in a neutral white--or ikea has some great pieces too---
there is a site ikeafans.com
everyone is really helpful if you want help designing the room

My feeling is it just needs a bit of color, personality, and humor. This space is awesome! I guess everyone has their own vision. Maybe you just need little bit of help getting unstuck - pick up domino, O home, Metropolitan Home, etc. Great Bathroom!

I would suggest changing the handles on the vanity and getting new sinks and faucets. New sinks and faucets would make a huge difference without having to spend too much.

I think it's almost perfect as-is! You just need to add some nice paint and replace the faucets and cabinet hardware. Add a modern bench or table and some objets, and you've got a winner.

If the lights are on in the above pic, try replacing the lightbulbs with a much higher wattage - seems very dark in there right now. With the amount of space you have (and as a New Yorker, I hate you for it!) you can accomplish a lot with some brightly colored lucite pieces (e.g., a Ghost chair). I would also try using some Chilewich mats to cover up some of the tile, the indoor/outdoor rugs would be fine in this application and come in lots of great colors.

i agree that adorning the space well will vastly improve it.

but if i were to do a major change without spending too much... the vanity. the look of the sink gives me the idea that removing a sink would likely mean having to redo the counters. if you were to take out the whole thing, i'd replace it with something in a light wood that was perhaps mounted on the wall so that there is a greater airyness to it. nice off white or stone type sinks would make it feel spa-ish and luxurious.

Hey Everyone!

Thanks for the encouragement. As a New Yorker myself it truly is a fabulous space! We like the porcelein sinks and would keep them but definitely going to change up the hardware.

Any suggestions for what a good paint color to go with grey would be?

Your bathroom already feels glamorous. What about going for a lighter or darker gray paint? then play off the yellow sink with a sexy rug/mat. Maybe paint the door bright loud yellow or another loud color to compliment the sink...
gray color inspiration:
http://www.style-files.com/2007/09/17/trend-color-grey/

the Goth Glam bathroom on Desire to Inspire is extreme but inspiring.

http://desiretoinspire.blogspot.com/2007/03/my-newly-redone-gothglam-bathroom.html

Oh the sinks are white by the way! I think it's just the bad lighting in the picture.

Thanks daniele for the links, i really like your ideas!! Bring on the glamour!

Are the sinks truly yellowish, or is the color a result of the lighting? Here's a second to the change-the-lighting idea. What about lighting options other than the ceiling? Finding my own bathroom lighting somewhat harsh at 5 in the morning, I've been very happy with either a candle or a desk lamp on the countertop.

Purple presents itself as a good color to go with the grey... perhaps a light purple paint for the walls (and I've heard light shades of yellow or pink will be flattering in a bathroom), and some deep purple accessories? I would think purple would go with the grey, softening it while not being too frilly. Just try and find a bluish purple and not a pinkish purple. Of course, if the sinks are truly yellow, I'd go that route instead.

what a great big airy bathroom. but yea, it does look bit outdated.

i think you should leave the tiles alone for now. they're expensive, and these are a nice neutral gray...

i do think you need to rip out that vanity asap and replace with 2 separate vanities (like the ikea ones for a reasonable budget). and instead of that big, empty mirror, maybe get 2 decorative mirrors with frames to soften all the hard lines.

some window treatments... maybe something organic like grass roman shades.

replace door with a frosted glass-paned door?

and of course, paint some colors on the walls! good luck and have fun!

that bath is rockin', looks like it was a quality job. I like it and wouldnt change a thing... Only thing I can see would be to change the counter from Laminate to a really vibrantly patterned marble... I think this would cost less than 3k...

I would paint it light pink. Maybe you could get a fun tray or 2 to set on the counter between the sinks - to add some color and give you a place to put the crap that always accumulates around bathroom sinks. I like how your window is recessed to give you a ledge - I would paint it (the recessed wall part all around the window) gray and see if there are other places in the room you could paint some grey details. Maybe paint the door grey. Or get some grey wall decals for on the pink paint. My next choice after pink paint would be pale, bright green. Or a combo of pink and green.

By the way, I think it would be great for people to send in photos after they submit these things for input. AT could offer some sort of incentive for people to submit "afters" to their "befores". Or maybe this already happens, I'm new.

I agree with Taracakes. Take out that vanity, faucets and large mirror. Ikea has some great options in white, or even a free standing sink with a separate piece of furniture for your
towels etc. Find a mirror with some personality; add some color accents. Grey works with just about anything really. I would not feel the need to touch the tiles. I would also get one of those large platter shaped shower heads instead of the hotel issue type you have now.

i really just think if you changed the vanity to something all white and either painted the walls or left them white (might look a little less heavy and lighter if you left them, but i don' tknow) it would look MUCH better.

Wow! What a space! I don't mind the gray as a starting point at all, and, contrary to previous opinions, the drawer pulls have a simplicity that I find appealing. My first inclination would be to start with the lighting. Maybe it's just the shot, but that space, brightened up a bit, seems like a darn good start. Maybe a splash of color with either accessories or paint?

I also don't mind (but don't love) the sinks, though the faucets could use a switch. And if you're going big, the countertop in a brighter color might help. Either way, looks like a great starting point!

new faucets and new sinks will make all the difference. the cabinetry appears well-made and custom, i'd keep it. a pair of shallow, squarish farmshouse-style sinks would instantly improve this already nice bathroom.