Ashleigh Boutelle: BATHROOM UPDATE

Small changes yields big results

This is an excellent example of getting some basics right, but not following thru with the finishing touches.

The bathroom in our new home was recently remodeled and it is actually pretty well done. A separate shower was adding along with a new American Standard whirlpool tub, new tile, new vanity, granite counter top, sink, etc.

Even self-closing toilet seats!

Not bad...

PHOTO FROM LISTING

But, the gold tone of the tile really stood out and wasn't super appealing, especially with glossy off-white/Navajo white walls and ceiling, and there were a lot of small issues that needed to be addressed.

We immediately added some of our own touches, and, even though the view was beautiful, we still wanted the option for privacy when we wanted it.

NOTICE TERRIBLE SMEARY DARK YELLOW CAULKING ALONG BOTTOM EDGE OF TUB...

So we added a roller shade with a valance from Aero Shade.
We wanted the shade to disappear completely so the window would be completely uncovered when shade is open so I had the valance made to go to the ceiling with the shade inside. Having the shade go all the way to the ceiling creates the illusion that the window is bigger and creates a vertical element to the room making it feel taller.

NOTICE TOWEL BAR MOUNTED WAY TOO HIGH...

The roller shade is made using a new Aero Shade fabric called BANBURY, color: OATMEAL

It's perfect.

We were leaning towards a grey color for the walls and this fabric matched everything.

The wall color was tricky. There are grey tones throughout the mosaic tile and the granite so that was where we focused. We looked at every grey in the Dunn Edwards deck; some were too blue, some too red, and finally one was just right.

DEC751 Ash Gray

What a great name!

And Swiss Coffee for the ceiling

I picked up a gallon of the Ash Gray in a satin finish. I did not want it too glossy as there are a lot of flaws in the walls and shiny paint makes flaws more visible. The Swiss Coffee for the ceiling is a flat finish.

To prep for the painting, I did a few small things that made a big difference - to my eye anyway. I removed the caulking that had been badly applied along the bottom of the bathtub (where it meets the floor) and cleaned it out thoroughly. Then I reapplied a cleaner, less smeary line of caulk there as well as around the entire tub and around the top of the shower where there was a gap. It's so subtle it's not noticeable, and that's exactly the point.

I also took down the towel bars and patched the holes. Both towel bars had been installed too high and, since wall space was limited, we decided they would be re-installed lower to allow room for some artwork to be hung in the room.