apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

That green color under the yellow samples is nice.

I'd go with the blue in the tile stripe

A paler version of any color you already have in there will give you the calmest, most cohesive and polished look.

My vote would be for a VERY pale version of the accent tile blue.

I think what people tend to forget when painting a bathroom is: how do YOU look against the color you are painting the walls? I tend to like a warmer white or ivory--in the case of your bathroom, I'd probably go with a warm white or a very pale yellow.

If you're going to go with blue, do this:

Match up a blue paint color to the tiles, but then go at least 2 shades paler on the chip than that one, so that your blue matches it, but so there is still some light in there.

And if you're thinking about yellow, consider using the yellow on, let's say... the wall that the door is on as an accent wall or something, and then picking up the color in the shower curtain or something, so that when you're in the shower, you're looking out on the fun yellow color, but when you're looking in the mirror, it's not directly behind your head, so that the yellow doesn't have to make you look jaundiced.

Actually, I think that I would probably do light blue paint with white stripes (or grid) that pick-up where your blue tile stripes leave off), and then I would probably do some kind of round picture or hanging or something in a dark blue to acknowledge the round penny tiles.

I'm not fond of yellow for a bathroom -
I'd go with light blue.

Maybe I'm crazy, but I'd do the dark slate blue like your penny rounds....I've had dark bathrooms before and really like them. Just make sure you have good lighting.

i don't mean to sound bitchy (really! truly!), but how do you renovate a bathroom and go to the trouble of re-tiling without having a wall color in mind first?

That said, i like what you did and would go with a frosty white on the walls and ceiling, then have nice accents (shiny silver shelves? framed picture?). Oooh, or paint the walls a nice, cool, pale gray....

I'm not fond of bathrooms that are all blue and white. I guess if you really love that look. But if you're thinking yellow, try to stay with a very soft, pale yellow. Nothing bright. That way the accents won't shock or overwhelm you.

i agree with all the posts suggesting a paler shade of the blue tiles( for the walls). to add color, purchase or make a mirror frame that can be painted (an unfinished wood without a discernible grain). the face should be at least 2 inches wide for impact. a mirror can be cut to fit inside the frame; just make certain you use mirror strap hangars to support the weight. NEXT, paint it a yellow-orange similar to the color of the UNPLGGD logo.
white ceiling.....

I think a soft canteloupe orange is a wonderful bathroom color -- it's warm and sunny but not overwhelming like yellow can be. And it's complimentary to blue. Keep your linens white, and maybe accent with a just splash of green, like a toothpaste cup or piece of art.

Be sure to go two shades lighter than you think will work because those chips are so darn small that the color doesn't look like it will be too bright -- until it's on your walls.

I would propably go with something blue to keep the color scheme cohesive. A very light baby blue or a pale robins egg colour?

My bathroom walls are a dark midnight blue similar to your floor, and - important - so is the ceiling. My tile is white with the occasional (6) handpainted Mexican tile in the shower area. This combo is not only striking but in a very small room it opens it up amazingly. The midnight blue simply "disappears" and the space feels infinite. So, I would go with the color of your floors on walls and ceiling.

I was going to say a pale seafoam green might look nice. But I think I agree with the person who suggested a light canteloupe. That would work well with the blue tiles.

I also think blue- either something a few shades lighter than the wall tiles, or the same shade as the floor- would work nicely. Definitely paint the ceiling too if you go with the dark blue.

Edward, I really like the two "cubby" insets you have in your shower walls. Did you buy them pre-made and install them, or were they custom made?

We're going to renovating a small, windowless bathroom and I'd love to also put those in our shower stall, as an alternative to have to use a shower caddy.

As far as color, I say go for something dark and dramatic.

Good luck!

Weston Wheat by ben moore is my favorite yellow. It's quite pale and neutral. It is also quite flattering to many skin tones.

Dark navy towels to go with your floor, maybe lighter blue hand towels and a sunny yellow facecloth to add the punch. Maybe another bright yellow piece of art or a yellow vase. Would be v cheerful!

Thanks so much for your thoughts everyone!!! I'm now leaning towards midnight blue for the walls/ceiling with yellow linens and a shower curtain with some yellow in it for some pop. But I'm also going to contemplate the whole cantaloupe issue. Very interesting. . .

beelzabean, my contractor made those cutouts for me. Making them didn't seem like too much work, though they did bitch about lining them with penny rounds :-)

For my taste, I love the sound of cantabrigian1's suggestion. Super-pale yellow walls, darkdark blue towels & some bright yellow accents - yum :) I would do a white ceiling with that.

And I love your little alcoves in the shower, too. Gorgeous!

BUT - others have raised some valid concerns about yellow (or orange for that matter), especially the issue of potentially looking jaundiced.
Also, I can't really tell how big the room is, but it does look kinda small - yellow will tend to make it feel smaller. If you want to make it feel more open, a pale blue will do that, but personally I think I'd prefer the midnight blue, like you just said, with some yellow for 'pop' :)

Definitely work with the blue, and also paint the ceiling to match. Go for something dark and moody. For example: http://www.colorcharts.org/ccorg/resources/results.aspx?find=T144-G7C4-9NRW

if it's not too bold for you, if i were you i would go for navy too, but with gold or bronze accents - either get a bit of gold paint or bronze accessories, possibly middle-eastern style. i can imagine any yellow-ish metal really getting through all the blue in your room. you'd need just small doses, like hooks in the wall, a little frame or mirror or things like that to really make a difference.

Can you tell me where you got your bathroom vanity and sink? I am remodeling right now and I am looking for a similar piece.

Radley, I got it from Broadway Kitchens and Baths, 12th St and Broadway. It was custom-made and very reasonable (I think around $700). Of course the sink and faucet were separate expenses, but it's a nice piece.