apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

"So, with this in mind, should we tile the walls or paint them?"

If you have the budget for it - I'd consider running tile floor to ceiling throughtout the bathroom for a true vintage effect - or at least run the tile as wainscoting throughout the room @ 4' high.

However, I would lean towards a vintage-style console sink w/ a heavy chrome base rather than your modern-European style cantilevered vanity for a more cohesive and classic appearance.

I did some of those things in my bathroom reno last year (http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/chicago/flickr-finds/flickr-finds-kathryns-bathroom-renovation-032309).

I love the vanity you selected and think it will look great with those tiles. I would second the idea of tiling the walls rather than painting them.

I think hanging pendant lamps would take up a lot of space versus something mounted directed on the wall (like a sconce lamp). Regardless, I would make sure that you consider the wattage to make sure you get adequate light in the bathroom.

I love where you are going with this.

A couple of baby/child thoughts. Do you have a location for baby/toddler's toys and accessories (ie creams, shampoos)? I found there was (and continues to be) a constant parade of toys, cups etc in our bathroom.

Best of luck with your remodel!

(BTW, baby and mom baths are the BEST) ;->

I love the look you're putting together. I'm with bepsf on the tile wainscoting, but I think you should keep it at about sink height. I think tiling the whole wall will make it feel like a white tomb. If it stops about 4 inches above the top of your floating vanity, you'll end up with a handy backsplash. I would put a trim (like a cornice moulding) around the top in the yellow/gold color of the floor tiles (gorgeous, by the way). This same trim would look great running up the side of the shower tile.

As far the walls, go with something with a slight sheen to it so that they're easy to clean and reflect as much light as possible in the little bath. And go for color! I would do the upper walls and ceiling in a light blue to compliment the blue of the tiles. I think it's really important in a small space to maintain a tight color scheme. Since your tile has so much going on, everything else should refer to it.

I do have one question for you: what are your plans for the cute window in the shower? I can see it's got a strange relationship with the current tile (is it overlapping?? Yikes!). I think that it has a lot of charm potential- especially trimmed out in the same moulding.

Hope this helps!

Care to share sources for what you've found so far? I like that vanity.

The floating vanity is lovely, but for a bathroom with three people? You'll REALLY miss the storage space.

I know, because I live with a renovated bathroom where the previous owner removed the under-sink vanities in favor of floating ones. I curse him every day.

A medicine cabinet just won't hold all the everyday stuff you need unless you're an amazing minimalist or keep your blow dryer and toilet paper in another room.

So far, I'm loving the input on this!

The light blue paint suggestion is right in line with what we were thinking, though it hadn't even crossed my mind to do a colored trim on the tile - that could be fabulous!

The window in the shower, sadly, is currently overlapped by tile. We're planning to tile to the ceiling in the shower enclosure (we're in southern california and have moisture problems, so are thinking that full tile in the shower enclosure is the way to go), but I'm liking the idea of framing out the window with a colored border...

srw, so far, we got the vanity here:
http://www.surplusdecor.com/product_p/favonian%20teak.htm

Tiles are coming from a local supplier:
http://www.tierrayfuego.com/FloorPavers/index-barcelona-decorative-cement-floor-tile.htm
It was really hard choosing a pattern from what they've got there. All of their patterns are amazing.

Medicine cabinet came from Lowe's.

Not pictured, but we found an amazing deal on a modern shower/tub assembly here:
http://www.buyplumbing.net/index.html?pg=pd&_i=6614305BN &_x=6614305_bn_brizo_quiessence_tub_and_shower_trim_brushed_nickel
It just arrived yesterday and we were a little shocked at how upscale it is!

re: pendant lights vs. sconce lights - I'm worried that if we go with sconces, the surface-mounted medicine cabinet will block a lot of the light. I'm leaning toward pendants in a 2-3" diameter so that we can set them out from the wall just a bit and get their full light. We're doing small can lights in the ceiling, too, to keep the ambient lighting in the room up.

I did a mini remodel of my bath last year (same layout as yours, and I assume, just as tiny) For those reasons I'd echo the advice above to tile the walls vs paint. Painting in a room that small is just really difficult/annoying, so if you can afford it, tile away. Are you sure there's enough room to make pendants practical? With our square footage, I wouldn't want to lose any useable vertical space... The vanity and cabinet look nice, but really don't go with the flooring pattern. I'd do something a bit simpler to go with the classic subway tile.

You didn't ask, but...In a bathroom that small, assuming you don't need the what little storage the vanity you have chosen give you, I'd go with a white pedestal sink. Everything else in that bathroom is white and light and I think that wood vanity will stick out both physically and metaphorically.

I agree with the comments above - Personally, I would put in period "vintagey" tiles on the floor and also tiles up the wall 4', then do paint or wallpaper above. Don't do anything to garish or bold or too "period". Keep the tiles simple and classic (like Hex tiles with some colored hexes mixed in and basic coordinating subway tiles on the walls or something), as well as sticking to classics for other "big purchases" like the toilet, sink, vanity lights and tub. Because there is nothing worse than trying to sell your house and/or getting sick of the "cool moorish, sparkly glass, pink and blue 1950s or whatever" scheme mixed with the uber modern teak or bamboo wood vanity or whatever vanity you chose 10 years ago. It might have been fresh when you chose it but will be a costly thing to change in the near future when it becomes the "avocado or salmon" of its era. Also because it is your only bath, and a small one, simple things will keep it looking clean and organized and less cluttered and keep the classic design elements in the house cohesive. Know what I mean?

I would reserve the modern touches for things like the shower curtain, rug, shelves, towel bars, wallpaper, towel colors, art and overall color scheme, etc. And hey, you can always change them when you are sick of them at little cost.

But, as someone who lives with one tiny bathroom with a roommate, here are my tips:
1. Choose a vanity with storage underneath (just a nicer version of what you already have) because you will probably need the storage, unless you really want a floating one. If you do chose a floating one you could use the space underneath for colorful pails to hold kid's bath stuff. However, I do think the one you chose might be a bit trendy and quickly become dated. But I'm conservative about certain things, so follow your own muse on this one.
2. Whatever you do, make sure to get a toilet with a flat top, preferably one with a raised rim. This can become extra storage space for baskets or boxes and the flat rimmed top will keep things from falling off. Sounds like a no-brainer, but I inherited a slightly curved toiled top and it suuuucks.
3. If you can do it, consider a recessed cabinet on the wall opposite the sink. It might only be 5"-6" deep, but that's plenty of room for extra shampoos, etc and the storage you may lose from getting rid of the vanity.
4. I would NOT recommend 2 pendants on either side of the mirror. The light will not be great and will make doing make-up, shaving, plucking hairs and other practical things more difficult. You need good light. Consider a smaller lighting fixture with 3 bulbs. There's a ton of great ones out there.
5. Don't forget the vent fan! I love the panasonic super quiet ones with lights.
6. Go with lighter, brighter colors. Skip the drama in dark paint or crazy wallpaper. It's a small room and you'll be in there a lot with a baby, then toddler (ah, toilet training!). It is already going to be cramped. Don't design it to be any smaller than it already is.

Regardless, congrats on the new addition and remodel.

I agree with bepsf regarding the tile. Using the tile on the walls and shower will also make the space feel larger and more unified. But, I'd keep it REALLY simple. No contrasting tile trims or overly fancy moldings. Those will just detract from the floor tile, which should really be the star.

Also, I'd go with sconces. You don't need to worry about light being blocked by the medicine cabinet. Pendants will take up too much visual space.

I rather like your choice of floating vanity with the retro tiles. But I think a pedestal sink would be beautiful!

I chose the George Kovacs - Six Light Bath Wall Sconce to replace my own "vanity light from hell" . It's smaller but actually provides more light and the diffusion panel makes it easier to face in the morning. I highly recommend it.

http://www.allmodernlighting.com/asp/show_detail.asp?sku=gkv1314

if you tile the walls, cut into the drywall and build recessed niches in the main walls (i had one built into my shower wall for soap, shampoo etc) that can be tiled, as well.

carefully think and play with the arrangement (measuring stacks of towels, bamboo storage boxes, toiletry and toilet paper sizes) on the wall, and it can provide storage and an interesting design feature.

you could also have a storage area built into the wall over the sink, and have a mirrored hinged or sliding door placed over it.

LOVE the floor tiles! And really most of your ideas... i would tile part way up the walls with the white subway tile and do a matching blue tile trim (the rounded skinny edge pieces like you see in old bathrooms) all the way around the top and window would look great. I also like the floating vanity you picked out it brings a little warmth to the white tiles i like the slightly wider shape, but you should get a medicine cabinet with a wider mirror same width as the vanity. You can use the pendant lighting with the can lights, I think the light quality will be great. Try small white cones kinda retro-mod shape hang them wide as the vanity and a little high and they wont take up visual space at all. Google searching bathroom pendant lights proves this. I also liked the idea of using the space under the floating vanity for kids toy storage in coordinating colored plastic tubs! As to the wall color above the tile I'd probably go with a semi gloss bright white just to show off the tile work and not make the patterned floor over whelming, but you can defintely try a nice blue paint and see how you like it. Good luck!

We did 2 major bathroom renos jut recently, and so feel I have some insight...

Pendants will not provide you with enough light -- go with 2 sconces on the side, preferably 2-or more bulb light bars.

http://www.ylighting.com/ie-elf2.html
http://www.ylighting.com/ie-elf3.html

We used a similar medicine cabinet, but ours did not have a bevelled edge, and was framed into the wall (i.e., did not project). Don't remember who makes it, but it is Italian, and we bought it online from one of those bathroom/home reno discounters.

Your picks are great -- especially love the encaustic tile.
The one I am aching to install somewhere is this (it is a patchwork -- maybe a bit fashion-forward):

http://www.emeryetcie.com/en/what/tiles/cement/models/patchwork/rule/index.htm

Since it is a small space, Tiling all the walls (if you can afford it) is the best option. In order to keep with your vintage meets modern theme, instead of a running bond, lay the subway tiles one on top of the other for a more modern look, as in this bathroom:

http://www.designspongeonline.com/2008/11/modern-bathroom-reno.html

No coloured trim or other decorative details, since it is a small room, and there is already so much going on with the floor. That will keep it modern.

Actually, I think this bathroom has some great pointers for you, such as making the room a "wet room" with a drain in the middle, and splitting the bathing area into a shower area and a Japanese ofuro (there are many acrylic and wood version available).


If an ofuro is not your thing, you can still get a deeper European tub (European bathrooms are quite small, and so are their tubs, but they are still deep, which makes for great bubble baths!)

We went with a Kaldwei tub:
http://www.kaldewei.com/en/produkte/baden/form.php?type=2&me=mm&format=1&form=154

The accessories which make or break the bathroom, that give it a good feel, are the taps. I'm pretty partial to single lever taps (especially with young children), particularly Vola.

http://www.homeannex.com/prodView.asp?idProduct=206010&Sku=FRB1US&Title=Vola-Pilar-Tap-W/-Fixed-Spout--Chrome

The other Vola accessories are cool, if pricey.

I too recommend an inset cabinet across from the sink for greater storage -- towels, shampoos, etc.
this one is pretty small

Oh. One more thing: Don't use wall mounted taps if you have small children on the way. They wont be able to turn the water on themselves until they're six or seven -- you'll basically have to wash their hands and rinse their toothbrushes until 2015.

You may not be able to go longer on the tub but you can go deeper. If either of you take baths I highly recommend a soaker tub.

mschatelaine - I LOVE that you linked me to that particular remodel! That one was Brasil-inspired, and we were inspired to go with the encaustic tile after our honeymoon in Argentina. I've been oogling patchwork layouts myself, but my other half is a little worried (and rightly so) about whether we'll tire of patchwork tiles in a few years. At least with the all-one-pattern approach, there's a little historical background (we live in southern California, and encaustic tiles were all the rage here in the 20s and 30s).

I've been liking the idea of some sort of toy storage under the sink eventually, myself. Maybe a big oval galvanized tub on casters or something of the like.

We do have some storage above the toilet (we mounted open shelving there and planned on keeping it), but I like the idea of building a recessed area into the shower wall (like the one in Kathryn's remodel). I relly like the idea of recessed storage in the rest of the bathroom, but we have lathe-and-plaster walls, and the fewer holes we have to cut into them, the better.

We're still debating the deeper tub. We saved enough on the materials for the remodel (we, too, are going the Home Depot route on the subway tiles) that we could probably afford it, but with a little one on the way, it's really tempting to just save the money, since neither of us are big bath takers, anyway.

That's an excellent tip about avoiding wall-mounted taps. We're planning on a single-handle, single hole lav faucet, and are narrowing down which one. The faucet and the lights are the only things we haven't chosen yet.

ooh i just love contemplating all the options (especially when it is someone else's budget!)

when it comes to pendants, i think west elm has some really pretty options, though i'm not sure if the scale is right for your space:

http://www.westelm.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?partNumber=WE-PRODa563&storeId=17001&langId=-1&catalogId=17002&viewSetCode=E&parentId=WE-SH1WALPEN&retainNav=true&cmsrc=WE-SH1WALPEN

http://www.westelm.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?partNumber=WE-PRODw439&storeId=17001&langId=-1&catalogId=17002&viewSetCode=E&parentId=WE-SH1WALPEN&retainNav=true&cmsrc=WE-SH1WALPEN

and as far as paint colors go, i think going darker would actually look great, especially if you tile white subway 4' high as bepsf originally suggested. any light color is really going to wash out the space, and going with a darky/dusky navy/denim blue is going to let all of wood, white and glass pop out. besides, it is a small space and make it more cozy. go with a white shower curtain, or clear.

whatever you do please post the finished results. congrats for the new baby!

Here is my $1.25:

1. GREAT ideas out there! I can't wait to solicit comments before my next remodel (as opposed to after).
2. I can't believe no one mentioned this, but... tiling to the ceiling is a bad idea. There is no house, new or old whose ceilings and walls are plumb. Even if this isn't a DIY project, you could end up with tile slivers and grout lines which could draw attention to them. There are ways around this but you'd need a great tile guy.
3. I agree with Lisa from Montreal if for a different reason. Wall mounted taps mean that if there is ever a problem, you not only have to deal with a plumbing issue, but a drywall issue as well. (God forbid its plaster.)

My two cents.

As an alternative to tiling to the ceiling or stopping the tile at the 4' mark I think it looks beautiful to tile 16-18" from the ceiling and cap the tile with the same casing you're using around your door. You can then paint the ceiling and top bits of wall a complimentary color from the cement tile. I've done this in my own home and on a couple of jobs now and it looks stunning.

As tempting as having a casing around the window might be, that window should really be replaced, a proper membrane wrapped over the sill and sides and fully tiled.

I personally would try to find a medicine cabinet or small shelf to match the vanity so it doesn't seem like a solitary lonely piece of wood. If your budget allows you could incorporate a curved beam into the walls that hides your curtain rod and have it laminated in the same veneer as your vanity.

Depending on your wall space a large mirror on the wall opposite your vanity would reflect back a lot of the light from your pendants or sconces and brighten the room a great deal.

dampness problems wallpaper = trouble

Great idea, By the way you might find some interesting tiles design ideas here:

http://www.sainttropezboutique.us/products/tiles/mediterranean-tiles.aspx

Cheers,

Sandra,

i love that floating vanity, and i have the same medicine cabinet - the inner mirror is great when the outer fogs up

i'd do the walls in slightly off-white subway tile, about 4' high all - keep it simple - it'll look great with that floor

and check out ikea lighting before you spend more anywhere else..

Don't make the mistake I did when I remodeled a bathroom before having a baby -- I made the sink vanity too deep so it's a little awkward when bathing my son to turn off and on the water. I wish I had done a sleeker sink and vanity to give me more room to sit next to the tub. But once you have your baby you'll be so happy you have a nice, little apartment bath. It's perfect for toddlers!

Best of luck!

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