Bathroom paint color?
#1
06-12-05, 07:02 AM
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Bathroom paint color?
As horrible as it sounds, it looks even worse...
Pink tile floor, pink vanity, pink sink, pink/mirrored medicine cabinet, white laminate vanity top with gold specks, pink tub, white tile shower walls, white toilet and white door & moulding. All metals are chrome and stainless. I would just post a photo, but it's so ugly it's embarrasing
Right now, the walls and ceiling are light gray and all the accessories (towels, rugs, candles, etc.) are dark red. It's a rental, so all I can do is paint the walls/ceiling, and buy different colored accessories. There are no windows but there is a skylight...so it's extremely bright.
My idea is to take the focus off all the pink...if that's even possible. I was thinking some new color on the walls with a white ceiling? Maybe a darker or more dramatic color than light gray? I wouldn't mind keeping the dark red accessories, but I'm also not opposed to buying all new rugs, towels, etc. if it'll make the room look better.
Any ideas for this design-challenged bachelor? Many thanks!
Pink tile floor, pink vanity, pink sink, pink/mirrored medicine cabinet, white laminate vanity top with gold specks, pink tub, white tile shower walls, white toilet and white door & moulding. All metals are chrome and stainless. I would just post a photo, but it's so ugly it's embarrasing
Right now, the walls and ceiling are light gray and all the accessories (towels, rugs, candles, etc.) are dark red. It's a rental, so all I can do is paint the walls/ceiling, and buy different colored accessories. There are no windows but there is a skylight...so it's extremely bright.
My idea is to take the focus off all the pink...if that's even possible. I was thinking some new color on the walls with a white ceiling? Maybe a darker or more dramatic color than light gray? I wouldn't mind keeping the dark red accessories, but I'm also not opposed to buying all new rugs, towels, etc. if it'll make the room look better.
Any ideas for this design-challenged bachelor? Many thanks!
#2
06-12-05, 07:12 AM
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Oh, one more thing...
The room measures about 5' x 6.5' not including the tub. There's enough floor space to put down a 3' x 5' area rug....or is that not something people do?
I think I hear laughing already
The room measures about 5' x 6.5' not including the tub. There's enough floor space to put down a 3' x 5' area rug....or is that not something people do?
I think I hear laughing already
#3
06-12-05, 09:13 AM
Sounds like our first house, except the tiles around the tub were also pink. The lady we bought it from had even put up a black and white wallpaper. That made it worse.
Annette will pop in with some good decorating ideas, but it is what it is. Absent a total redo, you'll still have pink. No matter what we did, there was still this pink.
Good luck with it.
Annette will pop in with some good decorating ideas, but it is what it is. Absent a total redo, you'll still have pink. No matter what we did, there was still this pink.
Good luck with it.
#4
06-13-05, 09:08 AM
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My idea is to take the focus off all the pink...if that's even possible.
it is what it is. Absent a total redo, you'll still have pink.
personally, i love the old tile in older homes. expecially the pink, black & white! (be glad you don't have the avocado!!)
it's a rental. there's not much you can do except work WITH it. pretend you like the pink and incorporate it. you can go retro & really play it up & have fun by adding other bright colors. or you can keep it simple - i like the black & white idea when there's colored tile. if you like florals, the pink will fit right in.
the gray & burgundy color scheme was a good idea (in the 80s) but i think you can even update that look!
be happy all the woodwork is white - think how hideous it would look with stained trim!
yes, a 3x5 area will help cover the large expanse of pink on the floor. even better would be the cut-to-fit bathroom carpet - that way, you could cover it ALL, and still use an area rug on top of that.
shop first for shower curtains & maybe a window treatment and see what color combinations you can come up with first, before deciding on a paint.
depending on the style you go with, you might be able to skirt the vanity & cover that up. are you sure you can't paint it or the medicine cabinet? (since they're probably painted pink now, right?)
#5
06-13-05, 04:09 PM
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Thanks for the replies!
Work with the pink huh?...I was afraid of that
Annette, I found an old thread where someone had the same problem, except their tile/tub were yellow....and you said "at least it's not PINK or avocado". I'd kill for yellow
So, when you say black & white scheme, are you talking about carpet, towels and accessories...with some color of paint? Or do you mean something like white paint with all black accessories? I'm not a big fan of florals.
I like the carpeting idea!...cover the whole floor and then toss another rug on top. The floor tile is quite faded from the skylight, so covering it completely would be ideal....even if I have to trim the bottom of the door for carpet clearance.
Unfortunately, there's nowhere to put any window treatments - I just have a single skylight with no other windows. And, the shower has glass doors. I think the only places I could use fabric is if I were to skirt the vanity or the bottom of the tub.
I thought about painting the vanity and medicine cabinet, but it looks like they are powder coated, or have some kind of baked on finish, as opposed to paint. That's a shame because otherwise I'd paint them and just put pink paint back on when I leave. Oh, and the front of the vanity is two large sliding glass doors that are painted pink on the back-side. Not sure if there's much I can do there.
This sure would be a lot easier if someone would give me a billion dollars so I could buy my own crappy little one-bedroom apartment in this town and do whatever I wanted to it!
Work with the pink huh?...I was afraid of that
Annette, I found an old thread where someone had the same problem, except their tile/tub were yellow....and you said "at least it's not PINK or avocado". I'd kill for yellow
So, when you say black & white scheme, are you talking about carpet, towels and accessories...with some color of paint? Or do you mean something like white paint with all black accessories? I'm not a big fan of florals.
I like the carpeting idea!...cover the whole floor and then toss another rug on top. The floor tile is quite faded from the skylight, so covering it completely would be ideal....even if I have to trim the bottom of the door for carpet clearance.
Unfortunately, there's nowhere to put any window treatments - I just have a single skylight with no other windows. And, the shower has glass doors. I think the only places I could use fabric is if I were to skirt the vanity or the bottom of the tub.
I thought about painting the vanity and medicine cabinet, but it looks like they are powder coated, or have some kind of baked on finish, as opposed to paint. That's a shame because otherwise I'd paint them and just put pink paint back on when I leave. Oh, and the front of the vanity is two large sliding glass doors that are painted pink on the back-side. Not sure if there's much I can do there.
This sure would be a lot easier if someone would give me a billion dollars so I could buy my own crappy little one-bedroom apartment in this town and do whatever I wanted to it!
#6
06-14-05, 08:17 AM
Embrace Retro...
What about embracing the retro, paint the walls white or a very light pink, ceiling white, get some new towels (black or white) new rug (white) or no rug
I think you need the pink flamingo shower curtain from http://www.flamingomania.com/miscfla...ower%20curtain with black curtain rod hangers.
I know you don't want to hear this, but your bathroom doesn't sound half as bad as the bathrooms in our neighborhood. The worst are sea green and gray bathtub, sink, toilet, wall tiles (entire room) black trim and black and seagreen mosaic floor tiles.
Ours is actually one of the least bad, blue tub, white and gold vanity, white toilet, blue and black mosaic floor tile, pink (mostly) and black trim wall tile (all over). (Sink and toilet are not original)
Our neighbors are the exact opposite with the pink tub and pink sink and pink toilet. I guess this is more like yours, but the neighbors have the blue wall tile (all over) and black trim with the pink and black mosaic floor tile. Theirs looks worse than ours for some reason.. I think it is the blue walls.
Yours actually sounds better than our neighbors, no blue walls.
I have the pink flamingo curtains and I think it looks about as good as it can look without redoing the entire bathroom. (I got the curtains on sale locally).
I'm still thinking of changing the frame of the mirror and making it black and white and pink mosaic, but that seems like a lot of trouble for a bathroom which needs to be gutted.
And since we are upgrading the basement bathroom, this one is going to have to live this way.
I think you need the pink flamingo shower curtain from http://www.flamingomania.com/miscfla...ower%20curtain with black curtain rod hangers.
I know you don't want to hear this, but your bathroom doesn't sound half as bad as the bathrooms in our neighborhood. The worst are sea green and gray bathtub, sink, toilet, wall tiles (entire room) black trim and black and seagreen mosaic floor tiles.
Ours is actually one of the least bad, blue tub, white and gold vanity, white toilet, blue and black mosaic floor tile, pink (mostly) and black trim wall tile (all over). (Sink and toilet are not original)
Our neighbors are the exact opposite with the pink tub and pink sink and pink toilet. I guess this is more like yours, but the neighbors have the blue wall tile (all over) and black trim with the pink and black mosaic floor tile. Theirs looks worse than ours for some reason.. I think it is the blue walls.
Yours actually sounds better than our neighbors, no blue walls.
I have the pink flamingo curtains and I think it looks about as good as it can look without redoing the entire bathroom. (I got the curtains on sale locally).
I'm still thinking of changing the frame of the mirror and making it black and white and pink mosaic, but that seems like a lot of trouble for a bathroom which needs to be gutted.
And since we are upgrading the basement bathroom, this one is going to have to live this way.
#7
06-14-05, 10:06 AM
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we've been looking for a house for about a year now, and i've seen a lot of shower curtains on tubs & showers with glass doors! it adds some softness & color/pattern and, if you're not into cleaning too much, hides a less than crystal clean glass door! so go ahead & use a curtain if you can, just to add some color/pattern.
i'd look for the carpet & rug first, and the shower curtain and/or fabric to make one and maybe the vanity skirt. then depending on what you find, paint the walls white & get black towels & lots of black/white/chrome accessories, and black & white prints framed in black to hang on the walls.
i'd look for the carpet & rug first, and the shower curtain and/or fabric to make one and maybe the vanity skirt. then depending on what you find, paint the walls white & get black towels & lots of black/white/chrome accessories, and black & white prints framed in black to hang on the walls.
#8
06-20-05, 10:43 AM
I was JUST chiming in to say what Annette did! We had a shower/tub combo with glass doors. To say that we hated them is an understatement! The first thing we did was to put up a shower curtain rod (one of the tension ones) in front of the doors & hang a fabric shower curtain. It hid the ugly, and looked quite nice, actually! Years later, we removed the doors altogether & used an actual shower curtain (plastic lined).
I feel your pain, Greg, at being a bachelor with a VERY PINK BATHROOM!!!
I'm loving the black/white/chrome theme that folks are suggesting.
(I'd personally shy away from a white rug! It will look dirty the minute you lay it down!)
I think a bathroom area rug (with a no-skid pad underneath) would be a better idea than a cut-to-fit rug, because you can toss it into the washer/dryer as needed. And...I'm NOT talking about your grandma's bathroom rug (that comes with the toilet lid cover!), I'm talking a BIG/plush area rug that's more akin to a thick bathrobe. And they're pretty inexpensive ($25-30.00). I don't know where you're located, but in our area here in the Northeast I purchase things like that at Marshall's, TJ Maxx, or Target. Actually, all the items you need to jazz up the bathroom can be purchased at discount stores like those, and yet they're good quality items and will last you quite nicely.
Best wishes!
I feel your pain, Greg, at being a bachelor with a VERY PINK BATHROOM!!!
I'm loving the black/white/chrome theme that folks are suggesting.
(I'd personally shy away from a white rug! It will look dirty the minute you lay it down!)
I think a bathroom area rug (with a no-skid pad underneath) would be a better idea than a cut-to-fit rug, because you can toss it into the washer/dryer as needed. And...I'm NOT talking about your grandma's bathroom rug (that comes with the toilet lid cover!), I'm talking a BIG/plush area rug that's more akin to a thick bathrobe. And they're pretty inexpensive ($25-30.00). I don't know where you're located, but in our area here in the Northeast I purchase things like that at Marshall's, TJ Maxx, or Target. Actually, all the items you need to jazz up the bathroom can be purchased at discount stores like those, and yet they're good quality items and will last you quite nicely.
Best wishes!
#9
06-20-05, 11:51 AM
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gcvt: oh my gosh! it wasn't until i just read where CarlyFC referred to you as GREG that i realized you were a GUY!!! 
and i actually suggested FLORALS to you!!! how embarrassing! 
i really need to slow down when i read these posts!!!
wow - this situation is much worse than i thought!! it's been a few years ago, so it's probably not available anymore, but a friend had a shower curtain and matching towels & stuff that was in a light gray, charcoal, mauve & blue paisley pattern that actually looked quite masculine. maybe you could find something like that. i think it was croscill brand.
and just a note about the cut-to-fit bathroom carpets: my mother had some of this stuff & she used to throw it in the washer & dryer, and it never unraveled or anything. came out clean & fluffy everytime. i think she got it at penney's.
and i actually suggested FLORALS to you!!! how embarrassing! i really need to slow down when i read these posts!!! wow - this situation is much worse than i thought!! it's been a few years ago, so it's probably not available anymore, but a friend had a shower curtain and matching towels & stuff that was in a light gray, charcoal, mauve & blue paisley pattern that actually looked quite masculine. maybe you could find something like that. i think it was croscill brand.
and just a note about the cut-to-fit bathroom carpets: my mother had some of this stuff & she used to throw it in the washer & dryer, and it never unraveled or anything. came out clean & fluffy everytime. i think she got it at penney's.
#10
06-21-05, 05:05 AM
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Thanks again guys! ....and no worries Annette
Well, I'm going to get started this weekend. A good cleaning and a coat of fresh white paint should kick things off nicely.
I'm leaning against the white rug too. As nice as it may look initially, it may not last a week in my apartment. I'm definitely leaning toward covering as much of the floor as possible though, so I'll be looking into 'cut-to-fit' carpets...as long as they're machine washable. Otherwise two medium rugs might have to cut it.
I've been checking out some websites and some places have full bathroom sets that might work nicely. Might have to try to get some shopping done one night this week. I've got Marshall's, Target, Pennys, KMart, Bed Bath & Beyond, Linens & Things, etc. nearby.
Assuming I stick strictly to the black & white theme, I'm having trouble invisioning which should go where. With white walls, the towels have to be black. Then black or chrome accessories on the white countertop. Maybe black & white artwork on the walls. But what about the carpet and shower curtain? Would full black carpeting be too dark...maybe small white bathroom rugs over full black carpeting? Then, what to do about the shower curtain? Hmm.
Well, I'm going to get started this weekend. A good cleaning and a coat of fresh white paint should kick things off nicely.
I'm leaning against the white rug too. As nice as it may look initially, it may not last a week in my apartment. I'm definitely leaning toward covering as much of the floor as possible though, so I'll be looking into 'cut-to-fit' carpets...as long as they're machine washable. Otherwise two medium rugs might have to cut it.
I've been checking out some websites and some places have full bathroom sets that might work nicely. Might have to try to get some shopping done one night this week. I've got Marshall's, Target, Pennys, KMart, Bed Bath & Beyond, Linens & Things, etc. nearby.
Assuming I stick strictly to the black & white theme, I'm having trouble invisioning which should go where. With white walls, the towels have to be black. Then black or chrome accessories on the white countertop. Maybe black & white artwork on the walls. But what about the carpet and shower curtain? Would full black carpeting be too dark...maybe small white bathroom rugs over full black carpeting? Then, what to do about the shower curtain? Hmm.
Last edited by gcvt; 06-21-05 at 05:48 AM.
#11
06-21-05, 10:35 AM
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i'd start with the shower curtain - the solid blacks, whites & chrome stuff are easy, but finding the right shower curtain - or ANY shower curtain - will be the toughest, so get that first, and build around it. i've seen really neat black & white shower curtains, even some cool clear ones with black writing on them, etc. see what's out there & go from there.
as for the carpet, black would actually be really great looking, if you don't mind seeing every speck of lint on it . white wouldn't show lint, but would show dirt, but how much traffic will go though there?? not much probably. a medium charcoal color might be best, if it goes with whatever shower curtain you find. but i wouldn't hesitate to use the black - i think it'd be sharp.
as for the carpet, black would actually be really great looking, if you don't mind seeing every speck of lint on it
. white wouldn't show lint, but would show dirt, but how much traffic will go though there?? not much probably. a medium charcoal color might be best, if it goes with whatever shower curtain you find. but i wouldn't hesitate to use the black - i think it'd be sharp.
#12
06-21-05, 04:47 PM
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Originally Posted by Annette
...but finding the right shower curtain - or ANY shower curtain - will be the toughest, so get that first, and build around it.
Since I have glass shower doors and don't really need a functional shower curtain, could I just use machine-washable tab-top curtains instead? Would that give me more choices in terms of colors, patterns, etc.?
#13
06-22-05, 06:23 AM
Greg,
If you're anything like my husband, you can think NOW that you don't care about a functioning shower curtain...but when it comes to having to move the darn thing every day to get in & out of the shower, you'll be cursing your decision quickly if you don't go with a curtain that slides back & forth easily!
So, be sure to keep length & width in mind...and whether or not you go with a shower or 'regular' curtain, use the metal (chrome finish) style shower curtain hooks that look like an upside down lightbulb & have little metal balls that glide the curtain along the rod. They work beautifully, and will work great with the theme you're going for. These won't work with tab-top curtains, but with any type of curtain that have holes at the top.
I actually just purchased a white shower curtain at Marshall's...it would work VERY well in your bathroom, it's a white terry cloth material, very simple & yet attractive. Easy to wash, too!
The Marshall's I went to had TONS of shower curtains in white/black, I don't think you'll have any problem. They had some very cool ones, like Annette mentioned, with black patterns & writing on white backgrounds.
On thought:
Try looking for towels that are a black/white checked pattern! Sometimes you can find white ones that have a border of black/white checked material. (I got ones like that with beige/white, and ones for a friend in white/pink (uggh! more pink!)).
You could also go with plain white towels (I got some at Marshall's that are very nice, thick & big, and they have raised 'writing' on the ends that say "HAND, BODY, FACE" (for hand towel, body towel, face cloth respectively).
Then your accessories (ie: Soap dispenser, containers to hold toiletries, wastebasket, etc) could be in a bold black/white pattern. Again, tons of this stuff at Marshall's!
I've got one final thought, you could consider doing one accent wall with black chalkboard paint! We did two doors in our kitchen with this, and it's a HUGE hit with both children and adults! People love writing things on the chalkboards, and we can write notes/reminders to ourselves & each other on them. If you don't want to do a whole wall with it, you could do an area...on the doors, we marked the areas we wanted to do w/ painters tape, then painted the chalkboard paint, and once that was done with outlined the 'chalkboard' with trim pieces. Very easy, very inexpensive, lots of fun.
If you're anything like my husband, you can think NOW that you don't care about a functioning shower curtain...but when it comes to having to move the darn thing every day to get in & out of the shower, you'll be cursing your decision quickly if you don't go with a curtain that slides back & forth easily!
So, be sure to keep length & width in mind...and whether or not you go with a shower or 'regular' curtain, use the metal (chrome finish) style shower curtain hooks that look like an upside down lightbulb & have little metal balls that glide the curtain along the rod. They work beautifully, and will work great with the theme you're going for. These won't work with tab-top curtains, but with any type of curtain that have holes at the top.
I actually just purchased a white shower curtain at Marshall's...it would work VERY well in your bathroom, it's a white terry cloth material, very simple & yet attractive. Easy to wash, too!
The Marshall's I went to had TONS of shower curtains in white/black, I don't think you'll have any problem. They had some very cool ones, like Annette mentioned, with black patterns & writing on white backgrounds.
On thought:
Try looking for towels that are a black/white checked pattern! Sometimes you can find white ones that have a border of black/white checked material. (I got ones like that with beige/white, and ones for a friend in white/pink (uggh! more pink!)).
You could also go with plain white towels (I got some at Marshall's that are very nice, thick & big, and they have raised 'writing' on the ends that say "HAND, BODY, FACE" (for hand towel, body towel, face cloth respectively).
Then your accessories (ie: Soap dispenser, containers to hold toiletries, wastebasket, etc) could be in a bold black/white pattern. Again, tons of this stuff at Marshall's!
I've got one final thought, you could consider doing one accent wall with black chalkboard paint! We did two doors in our kitchen with this, and it's a HUGE hit with both children and adults! People love writing things on the chalkboards, and we can write notes/reminders to ourselves & each other on them. If you don't want to do a whole wall with it, you could do an area...on the doors, we marked the areas we wanted to do w/ painters tape, then painted the chalkboard paint, and once that was done with outlined the 'chalkboard' with trim pieces. Very easy, very inexpensive, lots of fun.
#14
06-22-05, 06:46 AM
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i agree - tab top curtains do NOT slide easily over rods. definitely go with regular shower curtain rings or at the very least, wood rings or the rings with clips that you see everywhere. any of these options will slide much more easily back & forth. you WILL be sorry if you settle for the tab tops. not to mention, tab tops are the wrong style for your retro/sleek/spa-like/clean-lined bathroom!
as for the idea of an accent wall done with chalkboard paint - that is a super great idea for a kitchen or a kid's room, but i'm not sure that's anything you'd need or want to do in a bathroom, especially since it's a small room - you don't need to further chop it up with an odd black wall. (sorry Carly! )
as for the idea of an accent wall done with chalkboard paint - that is a super great idea for a kitchen or a kid's room, but i'm not sure that's anything you'd need or want to do in a bathroom, especially since it's a small room - you don't need to further chop it up with an odd black wall. (sorry Carly!
)
#15
06-22-05, 06:34 PM
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Okay, a real shower curtain it is. I'm not too fond of curtain rings, but if I get those chrome ball ones and a chrome rod, it should look okay. And, you're right, tab-tops wouldn't fit the style anyway.
Chalkboard paint would be a cool idea, but I'm currently single, have no children, and want to keep the bathroom bright. It would be neat on the front of the refrigerator though...except the landlord might not approve.
Well, I picked up some TSP, paint, and tape today. I'm cleaning the walls tonight - I hate that part.
Lastly, to give you guys some idea of what I'm up against, here's some "Before" photos. That's a lot of pink huh?!
More updates soon - thanks again for all your help!
Chalkboard paint would be a cool idea, but I'm currently single, have no children, and want to keep the bathroom bright. It would be neat on the front of the refrigerator though...except the landlord might not approve.
Well, I picked up some TSP, paint, and tape today. I'm cleaning the walls tonight - I hate that part.
Lastly, to give you guys some idea of what I'm up against, here's some "Before" photos. That's a lot of pink huh?!
More updates soon - thanks again for all your help!
#16
06-23-05, 06:50 AM
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OOOH!!! MY EYES!!!!! AAAAGHH!!!!
yep, that's bad. but the majority of it IS on the floor, so covering that up will definitely be the biggest help. too bad you can't paint that vanity. but if you get enough cool stuff in there, it won't be all that bad.
yep, that's bad. but the majority of it IS on the floor, so covering that up will definitely be the biggest help. too bad you can't paint that vanity. but if you get enough cool stuff in there, it won't be all that bad.
#17
06-23-05, 08:07 AM
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Originally Posted by Annette
OOOH!!! MY EYES!!!!! AAAAGHH!!!!
yep, that's bad. but the majority of it IS on the floor, so covering that up will definitely be the biggest help. too bad you can't paint that vanity. but if you get enough cool stuff in there, it won't be all that bad.
yep, that's bad. but the majority of it IS on the floor, so covering that up will definitely be the biggest help. too bad you can't paint that vanity. but if you get enough cool stuff in there, it won't be all that bad.
LOL! I told you it looked worse than it sounded
I am definitely hoping that everything I'm doing will minimize the pink on that darn vanity...what were people thinking back then?!As for last nights' progress - I cleaned the walls with TSP, taped everything off and actually got the first coat of paint up...I was on a roll (no pun intended)! This is my first time using that Zinsser Perma-White paint, and boy does that stuff smell bad
#18
06-23-05, 08:19 AM
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i had a thought: 
as i was looking again at those pics, i realized that once you put down wall to wall carpet, the only really hideous areas of pink will be the vanity and side of the tub. what if.......you applied wallpaper or contact paper to those areas to cover up the pink? it'll be a pain to remove, and would probably be messy, and require some elbow grease and Goof-Off, but either could be removed from those surfaces when you leave. heck, you could probably paint (latex) those areas with paint, and if you're careful, they could stay looking pretty good for quite a while. and then just scrape/peel off the paint when you leave. the vanity doors are glass, so that would come off pretty easy with a razor blade scraper thingy. and the tub, you can wet it down with really hot water & scrub it real hard with a Dobie, or a plastic scraper. just a thought.......
or could just skirt the vanity & hang the shower curtain.
either/or.
as i was looking again at those pics, i realized that once you put down wall to wall carpet, the only really hideous areas of pink will be the vanity and side of the tub. what if.......you applied wallpaper or contact paper to those areas to cover up the pink? it'll be a pain to remove, and would probably be messy, and require some elbow grease and Goof-Off, but either could be removed from those surfaces when you leave. heck, you could probably paint (latex) those areas with paint, and if you're careful, they could stay looking pretty good for quite a while. and then just scrape/peel off the paint when you leave. the vanity doors are glass, so that would come off pretty easy with a razor blade scraper thingy. and the tub, you can wet it down with really hot water & scrub it real hard with a Dobie, or a plastic scraper. just a thought.......or could just skirt the vanity & hang the shower curtain.
either/or.
#19
06-23-05, 11:55 AM
Greg,
The bathroom's got good bones...and at least the fixtures are white! It's really not so bad And I'm sure once you're done it will look great!
I can't believe that Annette didn't like my chalkboard paint idea, but then suggested contact paper (kidding, Annette!)
Please show us 'after' pictures once you're done, Greg!
The bathroom's got good bones...and at least the fixtures are white! It's really not so bad
And I'm sure once you're done it will look great!I can't believe that Annette didn't like my chalkboard paint idea, but then suggested contact paper
(kidding, Annette!) Please show us 'after' pictures once you're done, Greg!
#20
06-24-05, 09:14 AM
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Originally Posted by Annette
i had a thought: as i was looking again at those pics, i realized that once you put down wall to wall carpet, the only really hideous areas of pink will be the vanity and side of the tub. what if.......you applied wallpaper or contact paper to those areas to cover up the pink? it'll be a pain to remove, and would probably be messy, and require some elbow grease and Goof-Off, but either could be removed from those surfaces when you leave. heck, you could probably paint (latex) those areas with paint, and if you're careful, they could stay looking pretty good for quite a while. and then just scrape/peel off the paint when you leave. the vanity doors are glass, so that would come off pretty easy with a razor blade scraper thingy. and the tub, you can wet it down with really hot water & scrub it real hard with a Dobie, or a plastic scraper. just a thought.......
or could just skirt the vanity & hang the shower curtain.
either/or.
or could just skirt the vanity & hang the shower curtain.
either/or.
As for the tub... I was measuring for the shower curtain last night; it looks like most standard shower curtains are about 72"x72" or so. That width is fine, and the top of the shower door frame is 72-3/4" off the floor. I guess that means a standard curtain may completely cover the doors and fall all the way to the new carpet/rug. That'd cover up the pink tub nicely.
Originally Posted by CarlyFC
Greg,
The bathroom's got good bones...and at least the fixtures are white! It's really not so bad And I'm sure once you're done it will look great!
I can't believe that Annette didn't like my chalkboard paint idea, but then suggested contact paper (kidding, Annette!)
Please show us 'after' pictures once you're done, Greg!
The bathroom's got good bones...and at least the fixtures are white! It's really not so bad
And I'm sure once you're done it will look great!I can't believe that Annette didn't like my chalkboard paint idea, but then suggested contact paper (kidding, Annette!)
Please show us 'after' pictures once you're done, Greg!
BTW, the second coat of paint goes up tonight!
#21
06-24-05, 09:25 AM
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something else just hit me: if you're painting the walls white, and if you cover up the pink tub with a black or white curtain, and cover the pink floor with black or white wall to wall, and paint the pink glass doors black or white, and the only color you have left is the pink sink, that's going to be a very black & white bathroom, with a funny pink sink! maybe you should go for a multi-colored retro theme and paint the side of the tub turquoise and paint the glass doors one blue and one yellow or something, and do more of a black-and-white-with-shots-of-different-multicolors-here-and-there theme! you know what i mean? with that in mind, you could use a colored wall to wall rug, instead of only choosing between black (showing all lint) and white (gets dirty quickly).
#22
06-24-05, 09:31 AM
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Oh Annette, you're killin' me!
If I went with two small rugs instead of wall-to-wall, and let some of the pink floor show through, would that fix the problem?
edit: Or, maybe one big black rug that covers everything except the outermost 4" of the floor?
If I went with two small rugs instead of wall-to-wall, and let some of the pink floor show through, would that fix the problem?
edit: Or, maybe one big black rug that covers everything except the outermost 4" of the floor?
#23
06-24-05, 09:36 AM
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that would help, but now i think if you turned the "just pink" into more of a multi-colored look, where the pink was one of many colors, it would be less feminine, and more "just fun & colorful". sort of color-blocked. still with mostly black and white, but shots of several different colors.
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06-24-05, 10:06 AM
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not pastels - more like bright colors! but not primary colors (red, blue, yellow), more like the "off-colors" like the pink you have, turquoise, cool yellow, lime green, etc. if you found some artwork with those colors, you'd like it. or maybe a shower curtain with little spots of those colors. you could even just stick with the black & white and get all your towels in those different colors. there's a million different ways you could do it, all depending on what you can find when you're out shopping.
or you can stick with the black, white & pink. really - that's fine, too, i just had the thought of turning the focus off the "just pink". you'll figure it out!
or you can stick with the black, white & pink. really - that's fine, too, i just had the thought of turning the focus off the "just pink". you'll figure it out!
#26
06-24-05, 11:45 PM
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Woo-Hoo...I finished painting tonight! 
Well, I'm still leaning toward the black & white theme, but I'm gonna hit up some stores this weekend and see what I find.
Well, I'm still leaning toward the black & white theme, but I'm gonna hit up some stores this weekend and see what I find.
#27
06-27-05, 12:40 PM
It may be too late to say this...but here goes! Letting SOME of the pink areas show will avoid what Annette was saying (regarding the pink sink being the only observable pink item left in the room & that would look odd). So, allowing some of the pink floor, some of the pink around the shower, etc. So, as you said, Greg, only using area rugs to cover some/most of the floor.
Well, sounds like you're cranking right along! Good for you. We were working in our back yard most of the weekend (in near-100 degree weather! Whew), turning our attention from the interior decorating to the exterior momentarily! A huge relief to my husband, to be sure!
Well, sounds like you're cranking right along! Good for you. We were working in our back yard most of the weekend (in near-100 degree weather! Whew
), turning our attention from the interior decorating to the exterior momentarily! A huge relief to my husband, to be sure!
#28
06-28-05, 12:49 AM
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Carly, I can't believe you were working outside in that weather! I was following the temps out your way and they didn't look good at all...100's in Canada even?
Well, I made a little more progress last night with a trip to Bed Bath & Beyond and Marshalls.
I know y'all said to start with the shower curtain, but I'm a guy and therefore can't be expected to follow directions
So, I went ahead and bought black towels and black/chrome accessories. I also picked up chrome roller-ball curtain rings and a curtain rod. Here's a photo of the accessories I bought. BB&B had some nice 'solid' shower curtains, but I just couldn't decide between black or white - didn't find any patterns I liked. Same goes for the rugs.
I made some mockups in Photoshop - have a look: Photos
My favorites so far are #1 and #4. What do you think?
Lastly, I'm still thinking about a cut-to-fit rug, but one that leaves a 4" (+/-) border around the outside to show a little pink...and artwork will likely be B&W photos in black frames.
I was following the temps out your way and they didn't look good at all...100's in Canada even?Well, I made a little more progress last night with a trip to Bed Bath & Beyond and Marshalls.
I know y'all said to start with the shower curtain, but I'm a guy and therefore can't be expected to follow directions
So, I went ahead and bought black towels and black/chrome accessories. I also picked up chrome roller-ball curtain rings and a curtain rod. Here's a photo of the accessories I bought. BB&B had some nice 'solid' shower curtains, but I just couldn't decide between black or white - didn't find any patterns I liked. Same goes for the rugs.
I made some mockups in Photoshop - have a look: Photos
My favorites so far are #1 and #4. What do you think?
Lastly, I'm still thinking about a cut-to-fit rug, but one that leaves a 4" (+/-) border around the outside to show a little pink...and artwork will likely be B&W photos in black frames.
Last edited by gcvt; 06-28-05 at 05:40 AM.
#29
06-28-05, 10:00 AM
Carly, I can't believe you were working outside in that weather! I was following the temps out your way and they didn't look good at all...100's in Canada even?
wasn't going to stop us! We just kept drinking lots of iced water, drenching ourselves with the outdoor hose, and taking breaks in the shade (or, even, in the air conditioned house). It was rough, but we got our whole list done & more, so we were quite proud of ourselves
I know y'all said to start with the shower curtain, but I'm a guy and therefore can't be expected to follow directions
I like the accessories you chose. Very nice!
I personally like either the white or black shower curtain, but it really depends upon what rug you get. And speaking of rugs, I'll just say again that I'd avoid solid black or white rugs...white will be dirty the minute you put it down (if not before!) and black will show EVERY spec of lint. I'd really try to find a patterned black/white rug. Or, you could go with a really neutral beige rug. That wouldn't compete with your pink/black/white theme. I do like your idea of leaving a small 'border' around the rug, showing just a bit of the pink tile flooring.
#30
06-28-05, 10:05 AM
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accessories look good, and i like the black rugs/carpet.
but sorry, i don't like the solid shower curtain! but, if those are the only choices, i vote black, since your walls are white (right?).
i really think you need some sort of printed/patterned shower curtain to unite all these solid colors - even if it's just black & white, you need something of interest in there. it'd be like wearing black pants and a white shirt - would you only wear either a solid black or white tie? lord, i hope not! you'd look for a black AND white tie or a colored one or best yet, a black & white & colored one. (decorating is a lot like dressing!) keep looking!!!
the black & white photos framed in black will be great.
but sorry, i don't like the solid shower curtain! but, if those are the only choices, i vote black, since your walls are white (right?).
i really think you need some sort of printed/patterned shower curtain to unite all these solid colors - even if it's just black & white, you need something of interest in there. it'd be like wearing black pants and a white shirt - would you only wear either a solid black or white tie? lord, i hope not! you'd look for a black AND white tie or a colored one or best yet, a black & white & colored one. (decorating is a lot like dressing!) keep looking!!!
the black & white photos framed in black will be great.
#32
06-29-05, 08:33 AM
Hi again, Greg!
Okay...I know you said that you looked & didn't like the patterned black/white shower curtains you saw. If that was the case, then I felt (and still do) that a solid black/white would be okay...but I do agree with Annette that a black/white and/or patterned one would be better than a black or white solid one. So I did a little online legwork for you, and check these out & see what you think.
I chose ones in a wide range of styles, since I don't know what YOUR style is!
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...den&n=13749881
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...den&n=13749881
http://www.lnt.com/product/index.jsp...entPage=family
http://www.lnt.com/product/index.jsp...entPage=family
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...den&n=13749881
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...den&n=13749881
-Carly
Okay...I know you said that you looked & didn't like the patterned black/white shower curtains you saw. If that was the case, then I felt (and still do) that a solid black/white would be okay...but I do agree with Annette that a black/white and/or patterned one would be better than a black or white solid one. So I did a little online legwork for you, and check these out & see what you think.
I chose ones in a wide range of styles, since I don't know what YOUR style is!
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...den&n=13749881
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...den&n=13749881
http://www.lnt.com/product/index.jsp...entPage=family
http://www.lnt.com/product/index.jsp...entPage=family
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...den&n=13749881
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...den&n=13749881
-Carly
#33
06-29-05, 08:41 AM
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awesome job, Carly!!
personally, i LOVE the Dancing in the Streets one, but with the walls being white, and him being a guy, i vote for this one: plaid since it's more black than white, and the houndstooth is just so great. but any of those would work. that really gives him a good idea of what he could go with.
personally, i LOVE the Dancing in the Streets one, but with the walls being white, and him being a guy, i vote for this one: plaid since it's more black than white, and the houndstooth is just so great. but any of those would work. that really gives him a good idea of what he could go with.
#34
06-30-05, 05:07 PM
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cilla - I always forget to look at Amazon. You're right though - they do have a lot of curtains that would look good. Thanks!
Annette - yep, the walls are bright white. They just don't look like it in my latest photos because I took them at night.
Carly - WOW! Look at you goin' the extra mile for a newbie - that was awfully nice of you I really like the ones in the 2nd, 3rd, and 5th links - they've got the right colors and are masculine.
Y'all are right (again) about the solid shower curtain. I hung an old black bed sheet over the curtain rod to see how it would look in person, and it didn't look good. It looked like an unwelcoming wall of darkness.
Thanks again for all your help!!! I hope you're not sick of me yet
Annette - yep, the walls are bright white. They just don't look like it in my latest photos because I took them at night.
Carly - WOW! Look at you goin' the extra mile for a newbie - that was awfully nice of you
I really like the ones in the 2nd, 3rd, and 5th links - they've got the right colors and are masculine.Y'all are right (again) about the solid shower curtain. I hung an old black bed sheet over the curtain rod to see how it would look in person, and it didn't look good. It looked like an unwelcoming wall of darkness.
Thanks again for all your help!!! I hope you're not sick of me yet
#35
07-06-05, 08:00 AM
Imput from another GUY....
OK, how about some input from another guy?
I've lived in rented places with a blue bathroom, as well as a pink bathroom. In the 1920's, a black and pink bathroom was a classic Art Deco style... and was recreated through the decades until the 1950's or so. It was considered "gender-neutral" back then! Thus it's popularity. It's too bad that yours is a bad 1970's pink imitation, without the black.
I think it's a great idea to get the white and black plaid shower curtain. It's very masculine, very classy and just a great pattern. Best choice if you ask me.
As for the floor, instead of carpet I'd go down to Home Depot and get black marble-patterned 12" x 12" square vinyl tiles. This would tie in the shower curtain... and I personally can't stand carpet in a bathroom (even in chilly San Francisco, where I lived for some years).
The vinyl tiles go down easy... and most important, they COME UP easy too when you leave. It's cheaper than carpet, maybe $20 - $30 for the whole bathroom. Takes about an afternoon to install. An alternative would be a neutral marbled beige color--not as dramatic, but SOOO much better than pink!
Is the landlord "married" to the pink sink? If not, strike a deal and go to a salvage yard--where you could easily find a used or vintage sink that's neutral. I replaced a terrible, non-original 1980's cheap, low, tiny oak vanity and sink with a more style-appropriate one: bigger, neutral-color 1960's vanity and sink from the salvage yard.
It cost me $40, a new faucet from Home Depot was $25, and a coat of paint was $12. Plus, no more stooping over the short, tiny vanity! Optional step--A little tile on the wall for a backsplash (grouting it was easy) and I had a great new sink area for about $90. Since I was there over 2 years, I considered it money well spent. (There's also porcelain/tile paint but that wears off REALLY quick!)
Let me know if this helps!
Chalker in Los Angeles
I've lived in rented places with a blue bathroom, as well as a pink bathroom. In the 1920's, a black and pink bathroom was a classic Art Deco style... and was recreated through the decades until the 1950's or so. It was considered "gender-neutral" back then! Thus it's popularity. It's too bad that yours is a bad 1970's pink imitation, without the black.
I think it's a great idea to get the white and black plaid shower curtain. It's very masculine, very classy and just a great pattern. Best choice if you ask me.
As for the floor, instead of carpet I'd go down to Home Depot and get black marble-patterned 12" x 12" square vinyl tiles. This would tie in the shower curtain... and I personally can't stand carpet in a bathroom (even in chilly San Francisco, where I lived for some years).
The vinyl tiles go down easy... and most important, they COME UP easy too when you leave. It's cheaper than carpet, maybe $20 - $30 for the whole bathroom. Takes about an afternoon to install. An alternative would be a neutral marbled beige color--not as dramatic, but SOOO much better than pink!
Is the landlord "married" to the pink sink? If not, strike a deal and go to a salvage yard--where you could easily find a used or vintage sink that's neutral. I replaced a terrible, non-original 1980's cheap, low, tiny oak vanity and sink with a more style-appropriate one: bigger, neutral-color 1960's vanity and sink from the salvage yard.
It cost me $40, a new faucet from Home Depot was $25, and a coat of paint was $12. Plus, no more stooping over the short, tiny vanity! Optional step--A little tile on the wall for a backsplash (grouting it was easy) and I had a great new sink area for about $90. Since I was there over 2 years, I considered it money well spent. (There's also porcelain/tile paint but that wears off REALLY quick!)
Let me know if this helps!
Chalker in Los Angeles
Last edited by Chalker; 07-06-05 at 08:15 AM. Reason: typo
#36
07-06-05, 12:03 PM
I love your ideas, Chalker...about the floors, etc. But I think the problem is (and the reason none of us suggested those things to Greg) is that he can't make any permanent changes to the bones of the bathroom, because his landlord's being finicky & is really attached to the old bathroom features!
If that weren't the case, it would certainly be inexpensive & simple to lay linoleum right over the current flooring. Actually, now that I think of it, I wonder if Greg could go with a single-sheet of linoleum (not attached, but laid down like a rug). I've seen this done. The trickiest thing would be making the cuts around the fixtures. Hmmmm....
A black/white patterned linoleum would look great! Hey, Greg, what do you think??!!
If that weren't the case, it would certainly be inexpensive & simple to lay linoleum right over the current flooring. Actually, now that I think of it, I wonder if Greg could go with a single-sheet of linoleum (not attached, but laid down like a rug). I've seen this done. The trickiest thing would be making the cuts around the fixtures. Hmmmm....
A black/white patterned linoleum would look great! Hey, Greg, what do you think??!!
