apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I moved into a place with a teal tub and matching sink and toilet. I ended up ripping out the sink and toilet because they were also cracked but the tub was in great shape and so I had it refinished. You would never know what was underneath it now! Also, aren't pedestal sinks relatively cheap? I bet if you cleaned that grout the tile would look great, I'd definitely keep it and try and spruce it up, I think the black and white looks cool!

You could have the tub and sink reglazed. Would probably be well under $1000, done in one day and much easier than ripping everything out.

my biggest problem is that there is a white toilet while the other two things match. maybe you could get a white sink so that it matches with the toilet and i'm sure the white shower curtain would cover up the tub. then, it would be like a little pop of green with the tub.

I think your bathroom is GREAT! Go with it. If you paint the walls (and radiator pole) bright white and maybe regrout you'll be surprised with how fresh the bathroom could look. Then maybe a crisp white shower curtain / bathmat / towels will be all you need. I have the same color tub and sink and it sold me on my apartment.

I like Maxwell's suggestions.

I would definitely keep the tile. It's vintage and looks great! I agree with Anniva's comments just have the tub and sink reglazed white to match the rest of the tile / toilet.

Removing and replacing the tub and sink are too expensive and HEAVY. Those vintage tubs and sinks are typically significantly heavier than newer models.

Add color by painting the walls and shower curtain.

Last suggestion - purchase a curved shower curtain. It will create room for you when you shower.

Send us a picture of your final decision:)

oops.. I meant to suggest a curved shower rod...not curved shower curtain:)

I agree with everything that Maxwell said.

I have a similar kind of bathroom, except that all my fixtures are a pinky-peach and my tiles are peach and black, and I love it.

If this is an apartment building there's a good chance that yours is one among many in your building that are like this. So, I'd be tempted to ask your super if there are any green toilets like this that people took out and which are in good shape and being stored in the basement or something, and then I'd try to ask for it to be changed out, so you all three could be green.

If you simply can't bear the green, let's face it, a tub is a very expensive thing to change out, because sometimes they were kind of built into the floors, and the co-op board probably wouldn't let you get rid of it. So, you could just have the tub re-glazed white and then you'd only have to change the sink out so that it's an authentic white piece, and if you wanted it to be a similar style to the one you have, period-wise, that would very easy to find.

If you leave all the fixtures, as-is, I think I'd be tempted to find a toilet seat that's green, but only if it really matches and definitely the kind with the metal hinges and certainly not the puffy foam kind -- those are just horrid.

But for the shower curtain, I think I'd try to find one that incorporates a lot of black and white, with touches of the dark green, and perhaps some of the light green that your walls could get, so that you tie it all together.

Oh, I also see a pipe on the far left. For those, I like to mix high-heat aluminum radiator paint with high-heat black radiator paint to end up with sort of a gun-metal color and paint the pipe that color.

You can definitely make this work. The black and white is classic. I agree with Maxwell on the wall color. I would work that green into the shower curtain with some bold graphic pattern and add balance by a rug that picks up the same color. Then I would add some art that is black and white maybe something with calligraphy. Though you are a minimalist, Faith, I think you should go big in this bathroom. I think the bathroom could be a respite from whatever modern/minimilast stuff is going on in the rest of your apartment.

I like the green pieces! If it were me, I'd use mexican tile colors as inspiration and bring more color into the room - perhaps a mustardy yellow on the walls, and red and bright blue accent pieces. If you really want to stay with minimal color, I think Maxwell's suggestions are great.

yea, the real problem is the sink.

if you buy a new white pedestal sink, then paint the walls a very light minty color, it would look like you planned it that way.

your b&w tiles are to die for... i wish my bathroom had half as much style.

Maxwell nailed it. You've got to have some more green in there, so the sink and tub don't stand out so much. The walls are probably the best place to start.

I LOVE THE MINT GREEN!

There, now I've gotten that off my chest. Let's play it up.

Get rid of the black tiles that are framing the otherwise fine white tiles. Replace with mint or butter cream yellow...or white.

Replace the toilet with a butter cream/yellow one. Or keep the white and get a funky seat in that mint shade (there's a site online that sells JUST vintage toilet seats and tank toppers in all manner of colors...).

Paint the walls (not the tiles!) either butter cream yellow (are you seeing a pattern?) or white.

Find a groovy shower curtain with mint, white, black and butter cream yellow...or make a striped one with fabric (use a liner).

I LOVE your bathroom! But then again I'm an art deco loving fool.

I agree that changing out the sink to white is the most cost effective way to tone down the green. Don't throw it out though, there's probably someone out there that would LOVE to have that piece of vintage goodness!

You didn't say what your budget is but if you're handy you might want to think seriously about a gut-remodel. That room is way, way outdated and is *screaming* for a remodel. You can add resale value by modernizing it. If you go for a gut remodel, demo it yourself. It's easy and you'll save a lot of money on labor that way.

This would also be a good time to address the wall damage above the tile. Might was well replace the damaged drywall with modern mold resistant cementious drywall, and you can most likely do that yourself too. Chances are high that you have mold issues in those walls anyway since there is missing tile or sealant around the top of the tub.

Refinish the tub, if you keep it. You can have it refinished any color you want and it's cheaper than replacing it.

You can still go with black and white, but in a more modern, way more sophisticated look than what's there now.

For example :

http://www.homemag.com/article.asp?section_id=26&article_id=731

http://www.homemag.com/article.asp?section_id=25&article_id=732

http://www.homemag.com/article.asp?section_id=26&article_id=752

http://www.mosaictilemarket.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=605


Of course this would be a great time to just trash the tub altogether and put in a modern tiled walk-in shower instead and go all out with a "rain" shower head system. When you go to resell, your bathroom would then be a major selling point.

Replace the sink. It's not worth the money to do anything with that one. They're super easy to remove with basic tools that any homeowner should have already. And believe it or not someone will even come and pick it up if you list it on Craigslist, saving you the hassle of trashing it.

When you do replace the sink, if you opt for another pedestal sink, try and find one drilled for 4" hardware. Otherwise, if you go with one drilled for a "wide-spread" faucet set you'll pay more for the faucet than the sink. No joke - you can get a nice Pegasus sink for $169 at Home Depot that looks every bit as nice as a $400 Kohler one, but a decent faucet will set you back $200.

As always check my favorite store *first*. Craigslist rocks. You can find brand new sinks and vanities on there all the time. I got a brand new modern vanity/faucet/vessel sink for $350 on Craigslist when I remodeled my bathroom.

jeez, i'd love to have your problems...

the only thing that's jarring to me in your bathroom is the white toilet--but if you brought in other elements i don't think you'd notice it any more.

I'd just play up the whole art deco feel, possibly with mirror-edge tiles or fantastic vintage-y wallpaper (waterproof, of course) ...get an awesome art-deco hanging lamp/sconces that pick up the green, the black and the white...a la the lights from schoolhouse electric:
http://www.schoolhouseelectric.com/fixtures-detail.asp?FixtureID=31

I absolutely love that bathroom, including the tub and sink. If they're in good shape, I'd do the curved shower rod thing as suggested above, leave the white toilet (there's no hard rule that all three fixtures have to match in color), and paint a complementary color that brings the green into bold harmony -- if it's a pastel green, then consider electro-pastel (not drab, muddy, or earthy) pink, coral, blue, etc.

However, I'd kill myself right away if I had to deal with non-mixer taps. I wonder if you can retrofit the existing sink with a one-hole single-lever ("stick shift") faucet on one side, and a soap pump on the other???

Also, if that's the kind of toothbrush holder that doesn't fit today's fatter toothbrushes, maybe kill off it and the soap or cup holder and replace with a frosted glass shelf in a complementary pastel color.

Can anyone recommend a source for reglazing a tub? We have a tub that is Pepto pink. It just ain't working for us...

I love your black and white tile--I'm with the reglaze tub and sink crowd. But try Maxwell's solution first, you might just find you love the vintage craziness and it's certainly less costly.

http://www.miraclemethod.com/

http://www.bathtubdoctor.com/

Dear Faith

as someone who likes her bathroom to have a clean, minimalist and calm character, I'd

-- clean up the grout (has been said above),
-- paint the wall shiny white and, if you can, the black tile border as well,
-- remove all accessories (hooks, towel rods, etc),
-- replace them where necessary with chrome accessories .... I would try to stick to hooks on the inside of the door ... and have a towel rod which is as long as the part of the wall you're mounting it on,
-- have two frameless oversized mirrors (a pain to clean, I know), one above the sink, sink-edge to ceiling (as wide as the sink), one one the wall opposite the toilet, floor to ceiling,
-- have a luxurious white shower curtain (Restoration Hardware, for instance) and bath mat,

If you wanted unobtrusive storage: you could move the sink away from the wall (appr. three inches), mount the mirror flush with the back rim of the wash basin and have shelves behind it (accessible from the sides).

For lighting, I'd either go with some sort of (ceiling) chandelier or, if possible, with two wall-mounted sconces beside the mirror.

The rooms problems is, IMHO, less the color of the tub and wash basin, but the fact that the color adds to an already manifest untidiness : yellowish walls, multiple vertical lines (towel rods, tile border), floor pattern (the floor is beautiful btw, if a bit noisy in such a small room), grout etc. The solution would be to have fewer colors and materialsand more continuous lines.
Good luck!

If you were to contrast the mint with a saturated lime yellow paint on the walls, the mint would really perk up. The whole room would have a sunnier feeling. Alone with the black and white accents it looks a bit dreary. And I agree w/ all of Maxwell's "bones" advice - especially the grout and the toilet seat with metal hinges.

i LOVE this bathroom. it just looks a bit dingy. put a little elbow grease into shiny-ing it up. maybe make or buy toilet seat cover which would pull in the green, and that would make the fixtures more of a cohesive set rather than having the toilet being the odd man out. seriously, i think give the existing fixtures a face lift with a good and thorough cleaning, and accent with great accessories (curtain, towels, rugs), and soften up the lighting and you have yourself a beautiful bathroom.

play it up! many of us consider you lucky!

honestly, i think if you were to add an other colors than white to that bathroom, it would really clash. i'm all for the vanity type sink with storage underneath, and you could even get a big funky mirror to hang over it - and i totally agree with chaning out all the "accessories." my mother has a bathroom a lot like this except instead of black white and green it's all pink and blue. and the sink reallly just looks too big to me. i wouldn't think that replacing the sink would cost too much money...

*anY other colors

this bathroom has CLASSIC STYLE! please don't redo it completely -- why not let the Deco style come through with a simple, modern shower curtain, new clean white walls, and a good scrubbing! you CAN give it a modern feel and still keep its classic good looks.

Just make a shower curtain that justifies the b & w and green. The other colors on the fabric will give you towel and accessorizing spin off colors.
Here is a few examples
http://www.reprodepot.com/djsnstw.html
http://www.reprodepot.com/aloha60ivory.html
http://www.reprodepot.com/floralleaf.html
http://www.reprodepot.com/upcha.html
http://www.reprodepot.com/fcfbjd.html
Have fun!
Serra

Hope we get a chance to see the finished product!

We ripped out a really bad 1980's sage green Home Depot'd bathroom and replaced it with something very similar to yours.

My .02 worth: I would switch out the sink and maybe replace it with a nicely hacked cabinet, something up on legs, so you can see under it and it won't look so "blocky". Add a drop-in porcelain basin, maybe with a white marble top and shiny chrome fixtures. The over-all effect would be similar to the pedestal sink, plus provide storage. And since it would look more like a piece of furniture, it might help bridge the clashing of the different colours and finishes of your fixtures.

This looks almost identical to the bathroom in my new apartment except the green tub and sink.

I have the exact same problem with my bathroom. I am an avowed minimalist, and my bathroom has teal and black tiles on the wall and pink, tan, and gray tiles on the floor. Its a real circus. You don't say whether you own or rent, so I don't know how much financial sense it makes to replace fixtures. I would, at the very least, reglaze the sink and tub so they are white. You may even be able to have the floor reglazed to a color you are happier with.

Ideally, you should replace the pedestal sink. I have one exactly like it and it drives me crazy because the hot and cold come from different taps. Your choices are ice cold water or scalding hot water or dirty warm water in the basin. If it hasn't started to bug you yet, it will. My suggestion here would be to get the Marc Newson pedestal sink from Porcher. Its very simple and unadorned in shape but not so contemporary as to clash with the bathroom you already have. The sink and pedestal are sold separately and should come in around $600 when purchased together. A side bonus of this sink is that the perimeter is wider than on your current sink which gives you more "counter space" to have things handy when you are going through your grooming rituals. Other fixes I used on my bathroom included replacing the shelving (Pottery Barn "Holman" shelves in white), replacing the light fixture, adding a white bath runner (using Flor tiles in Toy Poodle) and making a full length ripplefold shower curtain in white parachute material that runs on ceiling track. The room is much more cohesive now and less of a clanging eyesore. The floor still bugs me, but I rent so I called it a day.

I'm in general a minimalist, but I love that bathroom! If you could get a green toilet I think it'd work a lot better, and Maxwell's suggestions are great.

I'd suggest playing up the green if it's as nice as the jpeg makes it appear (a turquoise-y/minty shade always seems watery and fresh) and use it the accent color. I understand feeling like the toilet doesn't match, but perhaps adding a black enamel seat could make it match the tiles instead. It's like dressing up: your shoes and bag don't have to match each other, but they can match other parts of your outfit.

In my own bathroom I used turquoise as an accent color because my shower curtains are turquoise, so I added little touches that play it up and make it intentional by repetition - my towels are the same shade, and I even got a decanter and filled it with mouthwash in the same shade, as well as finding similarly turquoise liquid hand soap in a clear pump.

Faith, since you said you like minimalism, I would definitely consider reglazing the tub to white and replacing the sink altogether for the reason stated above by RichardinLA-- I've had these separate taps in the past and they are annoying to use. The green tub and sink have a certain retro charm to them, but they probably can't really fit into a really minimal modern style bathroom. The black and white tiles, however, might be able to work.

Think pure white or graphic B&W print shower curtain and sleek white, black, or chrome accessories. If you can change the towel bars, chrome ones would look great. A fresh coat of paint always works wonders, too. I would change the creamy white paint to either a white that blends better with the tiles, or perhaps to a subtle color of your liking.

I would...

-place a vintage framed ocean themed picture on the wall where the hooks are now.

-Nice soft green or cream towels.

-Use a funky vase (convert it by adding a spout) or vintage soap container so it ties in- solid cream or white.

-For the shower curtain, I would use a curtain with a waffle weave, lino, or something with a similar all over texture to add a bit more interest.

First
It looks like the bath sink and floor tiles are original. The wall tiles being an later makeover (poorly designed).

My sugestion is to remove the wall tiles from the door to the stepup in the tiles. This will frame the two green elements in the tiles alowing the toilet to be a different design. (such as the existing white). Replace the towel rails and hooks with more sympethetic fixtures.

It would be benifical to remove the black tile edge to the remaining tiles and replace with a green. This should unify the room.

Second
Beware of changing the bath. It looks like the room is designed exactly for a bath this size. I suspect attempting to remove will damage the surrounding surfaces, necesitating a full bathroom redo.

Also, resurfacing is often not what people expect. It is only 2pac not a glazed finish as per the original. If the bath and sink are in good nic leave alone.

You can soooo make this work - its fabulous!!

All Maxwells suggestions are good - although I'd keep the metal hooks on the wall - they'd be really useful

I'd try to get a toilet seat that matched the green of the other two items and that would tie it all together nicely

If you want to play it safe go with the greeny white for walls but I'd choose a nice strong contrasting colour - maybe a dusky rose pink - for the walls and get towels and accessories in both the green and contrast colours - it will look wonderful!

If you have a really minimal budget, one cheap way to bring the white toilet in line with the rest of the bathroom is to get a nice toilet seat that matches the green. I have a completely B&W tiled bathroom (like yours, but with white tub and sink) and just replacing the cheap plastic seat with a black wooden one (and replacing the plastic flush mechanism on the toilet with a decorative metal one I bought at BB&B for $14.99), I upgraded the look of the whole bathroom.

You can also do a lot to bring a room together with strategic color choices for towels and curtains.

Your bathroom isn't so bad. Think: cool aquas and glass for a modern take on the vintage feel. In other words streamline the look. I think the black is wrong in some places. After a light sanding, you can paint (yes) over the black in the necessary places: the border lines are particularly offensive and they lower the ceiling height. The fixture colors are fine. Highlight them with appropriate (matching or contrasting colors in the same tonal range) colors in towels and shower drapery. Go for a more seamless flow, which the black is interrupting in some places. Reglazing the fixtures is expensive and doesn't always work. I like them as they are.I'm not sold on the ideas presented here to add more black or other interrupting colors to the room. Keep it cool and serene; that's what the starting palette is already. Work with it. Good luck. Paul.

...and furthermore LOL
your bathroom fixtures don't look "bright" green in the pics. I looked at the pic again. Floor is awesome. Too much black is the problem.Consider changing the color (enamel paint) of the lower border splash black tiles at the floor along with the suggested change to the mid-height ones (to match the rest of the tiles); part of the eyesore is the hap-hazard lines they draw. Finally, replace the rods with nickel-look ones, or chrome. Resist over accessorizing, but a seaside motif might be one theme.

I find that large doses of luxury greatly offset less-than-perfect rental situations, such as yours (by the way, I agree with others that the bathroom actually is quite good). If you can't retile, say, buy towels so delicious you want to eat them. My favorite are Abyss/habitare (available at ABC Carpet). The colors are deeply dyed, gorgeous, and many of them would work with your color scheme. They are unbelievably fluffy. I also have a great Habitare bathroom rug. I hardly notice that the plaster is crumbling in the corners of our old rental bathroom.

I love your bathroom! I think it has a ton of potential! I have one similar except my tiles on my wall are aqua with a butter yellow border! At first it was kinda crazy but a little paint and cleaning can bring it along way! I like maxwells suggestions alot! Keep it clean looking and just go with it! I'd go with a restoration hardware look! Bring more green in and maby a train rack to go above the toilet. Also some bright white caulk can go along way to help the bathroom feel fresh and clean!

I love this bathroom, and I totally agree with Maxwell's suggestions. It just looks like it could be freshened up with paint and fabrics. This is an interesting bathroom and could be a real show stopper if cleaned up. I wouldn't put any more money than needed into a rental place- but that's just me. I love the idea of asking if anyone has a green toilet to match though.