Bathroom rescue; insight and lessons learned requested

8 years ago

The Bathroom Project · More Info

I'm rescuing a bathroom from the 70's and looking for input and a sense check on some plans and decisions made. There is no structual changes (way to costly) but a full teardown it is. I have picked out the tub, faucets and toilet and working on the tiles and counter top. When I went to pick the counter top the lady (Costco) indicated I needed to pick my floor and tub tile first. And when I went to select the tiles, the lady said I need the counter top first!....who is right? To highlight the direction I'm going, the vanity is white and shaker doors and the tub is modern/plain. The color palette is grey/white - but not too white!! I've included a 'before' picture and my purchased tub. The tile is where I am seeking advice along with any lessons learned from readers. Below is a floor and tub tile sample I've tentatively chosen. Currently the space is cleared out (as can be seen from 2nd photo) and decisions are happening quickly. Looking for your valued input..

The Bathroom Project · More Info

The Bathroom Project · More Info

Featured Answer

tartanmeup

8 years ago

According to Yanic Simard, a designer on Houzz, "the eye gravitates to vertical surfaces first" so I'm picking my wall tile first then my floor one. Another consideration might be which element is the more permanent one (or most costly to change down the road if you tire of it) and let that inform your other choices. When we did our kitchen, I picked the floor tile first then the cabinet and found that restrictive (even though the floor tile was a neutral). It's not easy, is it?

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Comments (6)

cpartist
8 years ago
I might rethink the grey/white unless you love the color grey. Grey as a trending color is trending down at this point so unless it's a color you love, pick something you love.
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morz8 - Washington Coast
8 years ago
A little OT, but I did a bathroom in grey/white - first time homeowner - in 1986. White Kohler cast iron soaking tub with Carrera tile surround, separate (admittedly small) white shower. Somewhat ahead of this latest trend and I don't think most could have guessed a year. Grey corian 7' vanity top, whitewashed alder custom cabs. Grey and white vinyl floor, and a Chicago Faucets Midnight Pearl gooseneck faucet (charcoal). I don't own the house any longer but that bathroom is one of the few things I miss. Large skylight and the lighting in that bath was flawless. So, so easy to clean. We shower, rarely tub bathed even then so at most the marble got dusty, nothing worse.

Diana, sorry for wandering off topic. I haven't shopped for tile or counter material in a while so have nothing current/brilliant to suggest to you. But do what you like, you'll be the one spending time there.
User
8 years ago
If you have access to a tile showroom that carries tile from many vendors, there is an unlimited selection, literally thousands of tiles to choose from. Quartz is more limited so I'd start with the countertop. Your selections look nice in the not-so-great photo. The floor is very neutral so it will be a little easier to find counter and shower walls, which you'll want to coordinate carefully. If both tiles will be rectangular, I'd use a smaller format tile for the shower walls. Large format square floor tiles, which aren't directional like rectangles, would allow you to use a large format rectangle for the shower walls. In other words, don't repeat the same size and/or shape in the floor tiles and the shower tiles. Mix it up a bit for interest.

What are your lighting and mirror plans? With a long vanity, I am seeing a lot of long, narrow framed mirrors that are about 32" high. It feels a little more modern than the large mirrors that cover most of the wall.

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roarah
8 years ago
Is the tub for a shower combo? It looks very tall to climb in and out of every day. But I am in my 40s now and not as agile as I use to be.
Diana
Original Author
8 years ago
All good feedback....the 2nd tile was actually for the tub but there was an interesting comment on using 2 different tile sizes. The tub has to stay because it will eventually be the only one in the house. I paid for Quality to avoid any flimsy material when standing in the shower.....