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What paint color with this 70's tile?

9 years ago

We decided to make a few cosmetic updates that will last a couple of years before a total gut remodel of our MBA. We're going to replace the toilet and counter (DIY laminate), take down the wallpaper, and replace the mirror and vanity light.

The room is tiled halfway up the wall with pinky-brown tile. I found an old box of it in the attic today; the color is fawn beige. Here's a pic I found online:

http://retrorenovation.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/vintage-wallpaper-bathroom-1.jpg

Everything is that color now... Trim, vanity, toilet, tub, door. We're going to pain trim and door Simply White, and I'm thinking of painting the vanity White Dove, which is a near-exact match for the floor tile.

I want to downplay the pink color. What shades would you look at for this tile? Should we stick with white (either Simply White or White Dove)?

Comments (22)

  • 9 years ago

    I would probably paint all the woodwork SImply White, for consistency and try the White dove on the walls. I actually like the tile color, it doesn't look particularly pink to me, but I could see that everything the same color could be a bit much.

  • 9 years ago

    I remember that color all too well. (I was a shower curtain designer/stylist in the late 70's). It's not a bad color. It actually pairs well with blues.

  • 9 years ago
    Yes, I've realized it's not bad on it's own. But they tried to match paint to it, and the paint is definitely pink. The wallpaper is a pink-tinged off-white with scattered blue things. We're hoping that by removing other pink elements, this tile will look better!

    I have some Simply White in satin... Would that work for the vanity? I think it's wood that has many coats of that pinkish paint. Or should I use a semi-gloss?
  • 9 years ago

    We had a speckled yellow tile bathroom and I went white with everything. It made a huge difference and made the room livable for a couple of years.

  • 9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    The tile does not look like a bad color. We moved in to mint green with a lot of pink and blue flowered wallpaper. Removing wallpaper is not fun! I think white/off white walls will help along with painting the vanity etc. Even white paint has an undertone so look at that to be sure it isn't giving you the pink tint you don't want. I would go to BM where they have decorators or color experts that could help you pick the right white paint. Maybe they could look at paint sample colors to give you ideas for towel colors to look at to minimize the pinkness and update the look of your bathroom.

  • 9 years ago

    satin should be fine

  • 9 years ago

    Yesssssss!!! I just took down the wallpaper and it was easy peasy!! It just peeled right off, and I had small areas near the trim that I needed to soak/scrape. I was done in less than an hour. I paint this weekend!

    Here was the original bathroom:

    I want to get rid of the gigantic mirror, and replace with two smaller mirrors. Seriously, it's 83" wide! Single sink, boo. But we're not fixing that just yet. My bed is next to that doorway, so I don't like the whole bathroom on display.

    Where should I look for mirrors?

  • 9 years ago

    I'd start at Homegoods

  • 9 years ago

    White sounds like a good color choice, maybe a BM Navajo white which has some brown in it.

  • 9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    I actually happen to like that color. I think warm white might be a nice choice. I like the dark accents, which brings me to the idea of using bronze/black in the vanity lights, if you're thinking of changing them. I think darker brown or black can look very posh there. I probably wouldn't paint the vanity unless you can't stand it; but I'd change the knobs.

    Mirrors are everywhere, literally. Depends on your style(and budget). If you're OK with not seeing them in person first-check Wayfair. I was pleasantly impressed with their choice and service, at least by now.

    You can also check vintage sources-Etsy, E Bay, Craigslist-and find something both cheap and interesting. Might take longer though.

  • 9 years ago

    I think we're going to keep the mirror, but maybe add a frame around it. The edges are cracked/blackened, so it looks bad.

    We already plan to replace the countertop... so I just got the idea to buy two smaller inexpensive vanities to replace what we have, and have the new countertop span both. It only has one sink, and as you can see in the photo, it has a huge empty spot where I currently have a plastic drawer set on wheels plus the trash can.

  • 9 years ago

    Ok, my husband is on the blue train! He wants color. We took the mirror and light down, and will be priming everything with Perma-White.

    Thinking about BM Ice Cap...

  • 9 years ago

  • 9 years ago

    Paint a large swatch to see. Ice cap reads more green to me, but it would work too. It's a pretty color. Here's several suggestions. The first is your ice cap.

  • 9 years ago

    Thanks! We're considering greens, too.

    Also:

    Pale Smoke

    Colorado Gray

    Yarmouth Blue

  • 9 years ago

    Major difference already! Can't wait to see the finished room.

  • 9 years ago

    We decided on Ice Cap! Hopefully we can paint today.

    Can we do two separate mirrors here, or would it look funny with only one sink? Are there other options? I have a wall-mounted magnifying mirror that was in a bad spot before (lighting-wise).

  • 9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Good choice on the Ice Cap. It sort of bridges blue and green and is light enough to brighten up the bathroom.

    If you do two separate mirrors, I'd make sure to put a frame around them so they look finished off. Or you could do beveled mirrors and that too would look good.

  • 9 years ago

    Sneak peek! Here is Ice Cap on a board. We're still painting the ceiling, so the walls have to wait until tomorrow.

    I LOVE this color!!! It will look awesome in my downstairs bath, too.

  • 9 years ago

    Looks really good together.

  • 9 years ago

    Still deciding on one mirror vs two...



  • 9 years ago

    A mock-up. Does this look funny/strange at all?