Violet, that is a great visual. In your visual your mat looks like it matches the top of the curtain. A few people have suggested a larger mat in a lighter color to break it up; lighter than the creamy curtain, not white, but lighter. What do you think?

Violet, I just took another look at this trail of wonderful advice and I saw your example of the lighter mat that you posted much earlier. I saw it when you posted it, but somehow overlooked it in this course of enlightenment. I really like it.

rutabaga4: I think those are all great ideas. And I honestly don't think you need anything for the countertop, except maybe a pretty soap dish ? And I like the bird theme.

Tall or small flower in the corner? Or truly nothing at all?

Well, I love a repetitive theme, so why not look for something like a dish that has bird designs in it, or even something like this that might hold a small piece of soap? May not be exactly what you want, but you get the idea. http://www.rubylane.com/item/1107959-gm00076/Hull-Bird-Dish

Or this Georges Briard dish with doves and olive branches-- which may be too big for the countertop-- but, again, that sort of thing that might hold soap?

https://www.etsy.com/listing/201050618/vintage-georges-briard-paradise-doves?ref=sr_gallery_3&ga_search_query

Or, this is really pretty, too-- no birds, but definitely bees, and might look nice on that dark countertop: https://www.etsy.com/listing/225245883/georges-briard-glass-dish?ref=sr_gallery_25&ga_search_query=georges+briard

Now that I've gotten started, I can't stop myself. I really love this, too. I just think something that repeats the bird theme, but totally different, might be just the thing for the countertop. This would really stand out, especially on the dark counter. And you could put anything in it. https://www.etsy.com/listing/224967361/vintage-westmoreland-blue-satin-glass?ref=sr_gallery_2&ga_search_query=blue+bird+glass+dish&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery

What a fun space! If this is the space your guests will be using, I would suggest adding or substituting your bird picture for a picture of your family. Also, what about bringing in your bird theme with your soap holder??? I randomly searched and this came up ... http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/111624351716?gclid=CM3k-O7pyMQCFUokgQodC0sAeA

Because you has the brushed stainless steal finish and gold finish in there, you could go Venetian bronze with your accessories. This one is cute too ...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/301343776680?lpid=82&chn=ps

Look at bringing in your theme with your accessories and if you have a towel holder, you could look at getting some towels like ...

https://www.google.com/shopping/product/2776062847216109596?q=towels+with+birds&espv=2&biw=1920&bih=1019&bav=on.2,or.r_cp.&bvm=bv.89381419,d.cWc&ion=1&tch=1&ech=1&psi=z3QVVYezFZHIsASRYw.1427469519811.5&prds=paur:ClkAsKraX8_YyYqt7qjkhS3MovKJO2xTb7aU10QIu0SpN7Ngs449mG0bALEHFdZmElMYQy5Xw_IYf9wxxQMeWOonYGsoIYA3k7b_2OUO2EU_ZkkahY08eykr_hIZAFPVH71KQ7FrTqaUIIyzxj3B14RNG6JKgQ&ei=23QVVa2wE8OzggT49YHQBg&ved=0CPIBEKYrMAY

If you go with the towels then I would strongly suggest eliminating the picture. :) Hope this helps!

I really like the larger mat on picture. I had a feeling the shower curtain would be staying and it should if u love it. That's what decorating is really about. Use the things u love and find a way to make it work and be beautiful,u are doing just that!

Real quick...I noticed the picture of the store bathroom is pretty small so you can't see the towels they are showing. I am going to try and include it here:

I am talking about the hand towel in the upper left corner.

That would be really pretty, rutabaga. Sometimes if you're going to do with a "theme," it is good to go "all out." Don't worry about the matchy-matchy.

Wow some of you are really on a roll with accessory ideas. I love it! If I did the shelves I actually thought the blue covered dish would look nice as one of the display pieces. And the metal soap holder is darling as well. I almost wonder though if it would get lost on the dark sink top.

@rutabaga 4 .. now that 's a "LOT of birds"! All beautiful pieces .. but I would only incorporate a few items.

You have the bird curtain on the tub wall , probably the bird picture on the adjacent largest wall. I would suggest no bird motive on the towels or facecloths ( just a bit too close to the shower curtain).

I see that the shower curtain has a cream background so would suggest some plain cream towels (maybe with a bit of texture if possible). The cream is very nice with the blue you have chosen.

The shelf/towel holder should be no wider than the toilet.

Then if you wanted to add another piece from that collection , perhaps a soap dish & a tissue holder (as they have some nice gold trim which will tie in well with your present mirror).

Also you will want a hand towel on the vanity... just folded or on a small pedestal towel holder. Then access if you need more (probably not as you have said that you are a minimalist).

I think a light colored mat on the floor (since the floor is dark, will only cut it up & make the area look smaller. If you need a mat I would suggest a dark tan to match the trim on the shower curtain.

Placement of bird picture on the large wall .... is the bathroom door kept open most of the time.. if so I would hang the bird pic accordingly with the door open. Then a smaller item toward the door. How long is that wall?

We still haven't seen how "ugly" that tub area is with the curtain open!

@drakehomes The Creative Co-op Aviary Decorative Metal Nest Soap Holder with Bird is delightful - did you find a twig like towel bar?

I love the color you chose. It really shows off the tile! I agree with most comments above that the picture and curtain are too similar. I think you do need a wall mounted towel ring to the left of the sink. Get some pretty hand towels that blend with a rug in front of the sink. I'd get a solid colored shower curtain, and put the print on the wall facing the commode. Over the toilet I'd add something that is a bit more 3D.

Since your tub; commode and sink are all white porcelain, I'd leave the shower curtain open visually making the room larger. I find it odd the home owner didn't put a pencil bullnose tile along the top of the tiles on the wall. It looks unfinished. I have admit the gold frame on the mirror throws me. If it's easily changed, consider hanging something else there. If however it's more permanent just ignore it.

Based on what many of you have suggested, this seems almost too good to pass up. What do you think?

I'm excited about this, but I would really appreciate some thoughts...even if you don't love it, tell me why. Maybe there is something I am missing. It seems open and airy and I would think the glass shelf would contribute to that airy feel. It is larger than the bird print - 22L x 17 3/4W, so my thought is that it would fit in the space nicely.

That is very nice ... the gold will go with the mirror. Since it is a "neutral color" there will be no problem when you change your color scheme.

The towel holder will make the piece more vertical .. which is a good thing. The bird print was really to square for that spot.

Just a hint of the "bird theme" without being to matchy-matchy!

Get a shower curtain that you can see through, at least partially (say, white and sheer stripe, etc.--even a patterned sheer window curtain/panel). Being able to see all the way to the wall and the window makes the room look bigger. What you have done here with that shower curtain, in essence, is to wall off 3 feet of an already "extremely small bathroom".

Get a clear shower curtain liner that goes inside the tub, then get a see-through fabric one that goes down only to the top edge of the tub (that will move it 3 or 4 inches away from the toilet).

It'll make a huge difference visually.

Some of you have asked to see the tub. It's pretty basic. It is certainly not anything to show off, it's pre-formed with no-tile.

I also wanted to share these photos. The wall that we have discussed moving the print to is a wall that is half covered with slate tiles that are the same tiles on the floor. When we painted the walls we removed the small piece of board that the owners used to cover the "crack" where the tile ends and the wall begins. I think we will just go ahead and paint that small board the same color as the wall and reattach it.

If I get a bath mat or rug, should it run from the door all the way to the tub, or just in front of the sink?

Rutabaga, as I said before, embrace the bird theme, and go all the way with it! The towel rack/shelf looks neat, and won't be too visually heavy.

I like the metal shelf (and less heavy-handed than a wood shelf-- much airier looking) and solves your issue of putting something on a shelf and having a place for a hand towel.

I would put the wood trim back, caulk where it meets the wall board. You or a carpenter should finish it out properly at the ends, and paint it the color of the walls. Alternatively, if that tile has a matching finishing bullnose piece you can purchase, that would look much better.

And while I do think that a white sheer shower curtain would look good, I do like very much the bird shower curtain. It also lets in light, and I like the bird theme, so I say keep it. :) It's not like the curtain is hiding amazing tile work or anything. :)

Oh. And I would get a mat that doesn't interfere with the closing/opening of the door, whatever configuration and size that is.

Thanks for the pic of the tub enclosure ..although it is not "beautiful" it is in good shape.

A problem .. really your nice bird shower curtain must be fully closed to see the birds .. so I guess hiding the enclosure is the best option. If it was a plain curtain I would say keep it pulled back to make the room appear larger & brighter.

You could remove the liner & see if it looks OK .. that would give more light in the daytime.

As for the trim board I would get a flat decorative piece of wood (about 2 inches wide) at the hardware store.. think it would look more like a chair rail.

Just took another look at the metal shelf that you showed ... wondering how deep the glass part is .. don't want it too deep so as not to stick out too far (for any men that will be "standing" at the toilet.

Also think the color of the shelf would look better in black so as not to have 2 gold items in a row (mirror & shelf).

Do you feel there is a need for a mat... will your guests be staying over night (think you mentioned that nobody will be using the tub)..or in their bare feet?

I like the bird-shelf-towel rack

Skip the bath mat unless you actually have guests showering/bathing frequently

As for the 1/4 round... I'll skip the commentary - it should have a finishing edge *but* not that - it should have been finished with a double-out bullnose (has two rounded edges for finishing off the corner of a tile section.) or an edge tile ex http://www.house-design-coffee.com/images/bullnose-tile-during-install.jpg- try looking for a thin trim tile. ex http://www.johnbridge.com/vbulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=109742&d=1320931146

You only need a few feet of trim

https://www.houzz.com/products/multi-green-polished-onyx-pencil-molding-bull-nose-trim-prvw-vr~8108011

I think you will find that something as wide as a chair rail will hit the door.

I think the owners were trying to use wood to fit over the tile as a double-out bullnose. I am learning so much here...I didn't know what a double-out bullnose was until you showed me the pictures. We had thought about creating something like a chair rail, but it seemed awkward over the tile. I would be more open to the idea if we could just take the tile off and start with a bare wall. When we painted the walls we just popped off their make-shift bullnose (you can see the ragged edges of their paint). So, my original plan was to smooth the edges and paint the piece of wood the same color as the walls. They secured the wood with nails so I will need to remove those from the underside; I'll need to start fresh with my own nails. After looking at the pictures, a bullnose trim of the same material of the current slate would be the most appropriate and I don't know why the homeowners didn't do that from the beginning.

By the way, great photos!

I am guessing that a 1/4 inch round is referring to the piece over the top of the tile. Is a 1/4 round the same as a dowel? The piece I am holding is cut almost pie-shape. It's rounded on the outside and then comes to a point on the inside.

I am thinking of contacting the homeowners about taking the mirror down. It is a huge and heavy piece and the hardware they've used to get it up there is pretty tricky. If they give me the green light, I was thinking a frameless mirror with a beveled edge might look nice. Any thoughts?

They should be fine with replacing the mirror, since it's not a permanent structure. Just save it for them, if you ever decide to leave. I like frameless mirrors. Sometimes you can find really nice etched and beveled ones on Etsy, for not much money.

Yes- that tile should have a bullnose that was sold with it. I'd ask around-- or, ask them where they purchased the tile, and the company should have a bullnose piece that went with it.

Re: Bullnose-even though it was never intended to be on a wall? Because I am not a craftsman I can't imagine having a need for it on the floor.

"Bullnose" is just the term used to describe a rounded edge .. can be on the edge of a countertop also. For ceramic tiles usually refers to a trim edge for finishing off a line of tiles.

Think a "frameless " mirror would give a nice airy feel to the room.

Ruta, you are right, there probably isn't a bullnose for the type of tile you have there, since it is origianlly meant for the floor, but there are many decorative tile liners that can serve the same purpose. Quarter round just doesn't fit right, nor is it substantial enough against the tile. You would be better off going with a molding that has a rabbet that extends over the tile a little bit and is about 1 1/2" wide. Kind of like picture frame molding.

If you contact a reputable tile company in your area, there are many places that will create a bullnose from any tile you have. It shouldn't be expensive to have done as you don't need a lot.

Love the idea of a frames mirror if that's within the budget. As for a mat or rug, it's not just for bare feet. Often guests will get water on the floor and a rug catches the drips of water. And, if you get one that matches your blue walls, it will help break up the dark floors which may be adding to the visual size of your room. I'd get one that is about the size of your cabinet.

Wouldn't breaking up the look of the floor make it look smaller?

I suspect Lainie is correct. Anytime you break up something visually, it will make things seem choppier and smaller. Rugs are nice, though.

The other option with the tile-- if there is any left over, or you know where they got it and you could get more, a tiler can cut pieces and round smoothly the edges for you, to work essentially like a bullnose.

Have not yet looked into the frameless mirror.

There is so much I would enjoy doing to this house. Not overhaul, but those little things that make it homey and make it feel like its mine. This house is perfect for our family, but this is certainly an interesting little bathroom that really only needs to be a potty room. All of the bedrooms are upstairs and there are two other bathrooms with bathtubs upstairs. Without a bedroom nearby this one seems out of place, but I do love that it is right off of the kitchen.

If there are two other full bathrooms, have you thought about taking the tub out of this one and making it a really spacious powder room?

Right on Nancy!!

I have a "small but mighty" bench with shelf/mirror & lights in my bathroom... would not trade it!

rutabaga4 . will this be your forever home? If so a bedroom on the mainfloor & bath will come in very handy for you "old age" or if anyone has a problem climbing stairs.

Yes, I am in the "old age "mind set with all renovations made to my home at this time.

Just purely a wild guess here, but since rutabaga is renting this home-- mentioned in her original post (hence, the inability to make more substantial permanent changes)-- that this might not be her "forever home?" And, hopefully, she's also in a younger mindset. :)

sisal rug. Solid natural color. Feels good on the feet. Goes with the nature theme. Lighter color than the floor, so it will lighten up room. Just make sure it fits under the door. tJ maxx has lots.

Usually when you break up areas of color t will make the space look smaller. However, because the floor and 1/2 the wall are the same darkish tile, I'd look into breaking up the dark with some color to tie in with the walls. If you don't like it, you can always take the rug back - not a big investment.

I do like the idea of taking the bathtub out, but it is a rental. As much as I would hope it would become mine, I can't expect that right now.

Sorry, I forgot :>(

I purchased the bird shelf and towel rack. It hasn't come yet but I'll be sure and keep you posted.

This is dead thread from 2015.